the sources of those memories are seated around the booth we camped out in hours ago. It’s almost time for Allecto and Aurora’s shifts to start, and Meg will no doubt be occupied as well once that happens, but we’re milking our time together down to the last second.
I sip my fruity drink. “You know, it’s totally okay if we meet somewhere that isn’t the Underworld.”
“Next time.” Meg’s lounging in the middle of the booth’s curve, a place where she can see the entirety of the lounge. “But you know the old saying about the mice playing while the cat’s away; with all three of us gone, people are bound to get up to no good.”
That’s why we’re here tonight. We’re celebrating Aurora’s promotion into my vacated position as Meg’s second-in-command. I lift my glass. “I’ve said it before, but I’m feeling sentimental enough to say it about half a dozen more times. Congrats, Aurora. You’re going to rock this.” She’ll bring a totally different take to the position than I did, but I think it will be to everyone’s benefit. I grin. “Just try not to set anyone on fire in the meantime.”
“Tink.” Her light brown skin turns dusky. “I’m never going to live that down, am I?”
“No way. That was badass as hell. Tell her, Allecto.”
Allecto’s grin is knife-sharp. “If you ever get tired of playing with these assholes, I’d take you on my security team in a heartbeat.”
“Stop poaching my people.” Meg narrows her eyes, but she’s smiling. “Though if you want to do some training with Allecto, you’re more than welcome.”
“Yeah, I’ll allow it.”
“Really?” Aurora’s dark eyes go wide. “You don’t let anyone train with your team.”
“Not just anyone threatens to burn this motherfucker to the ground in defense of a friend.” Allecto toasts Aurora with her water. “I’d say you’ve earned the privilege.”
Aurora covers her face with her hands, but I can see her smile peeking out. “I would like that a lot.”
“Monday at seven.” Allecto turns that sharp smile in my direction. “Apparently we’ve kept you too long, Tink. Your man has come to collect you.”
Meg and Aurora make playfully mocking oooooh sounds and I roll my eyes, even as a blush works its way across my cheeks. Hook pauses in the doorway and his gaze lands on us almost immediately. He’s dressed in different clothing than he was this morning, a pair of jeans and a T-shirt. I’ve never seen him so casual in the Underworld, and for some reason it makes my heartbeat kick up a notch.
Meg props her elbows on the table and gives him a long look as he stops in front of our booth. “No need to hunt down your wife. We were going to return her shortly.”
His grin is just as cocky as ever and he rakes a gaze over me. I’m wearing a knee-length flouncy skirt and a tank top with lace cutouts that makes my breasts look amazing. I fully intended to track him down when I got home and tempt him into taking me against the nearest horizontal surface, but this will work, too. I tilt my head to the side. “I’ve been gone a couple hours. Surely that doesn’t require a personal retrieval.”
“I missed you.” He says it simply, as if this kind of statement doesn’t still rock me right down to my foundations.
I make a show of looking at my phone. “I said I’d be home at eight. It’s seven-thirty.”
Hook shrugs, completely unrepentant. He holds out an imperial hand. “Say goodbye, Tink. It’s time to go.”
I raise my eyebrows, the first tingling of a challenge coursing beneath my skin. “Yeah, I don’t think so. Go away and come back in thirty minutes. Then we’ll leave.” I can feel my friends watching with avid interest, and they’re not the only ones. We’re putting on a show, after all.
“Tink.” He says my name slowly, the faintest hint of warning. “Do you remember what I said I’d do if you challenged me like this?”
Yes, yes, I do. Desire pulses between my thighs, but I keep my expression bored and a little belligerent. “No. Do you know what I’ll do to you for making a pest of yourself?”
His grin widens. “Have it your way, beautiful girl.” Hook glances at my three friends. “Excuse me, ladies.”
I barely have a second to process that and then he’s kneeling. He grabs my knees and jerks me to the edge of the bench. “Wait—” It’s too late.
He flips up my skirt