“I hope so. I want to make him proud.”
“Cal, he was so fucking proud of you.”
“I wish he knew about Daemon.”
“He does,” I assure her. “And he’ll be happy you’ve got him by your side.”
We study and talk about everything and nothing for hours. It’s… nice. Easy. A throwback to times gone by. It’s been a while since we’ve hung out just the two of us like this, and it makes me realise just how much we need it.
But eventually, reality comes calling in the form of Calli’s phone ringing.
“Ah, time’s up, big bro,” she says, staring down at the screen before swiping it and lifting it to her ear. “Hey, devil boy,” she says, her words making me equally as happy as I am horrified. “Yep, he’ll be right there.”
I get up and take our empty cans to the kitchen when she starts telling him that she loves him. I might be able to get on board with them being together, but I have limits.
“You need to go to Theo’s,” she says after hanging up.
“Why?”
“Damien, Stefanos and Galen are there for a catch up.”
“Do they know something?” I ask hopefully.
“You’re looking at the wrong person. I have no clue what’s going on.”
“You know they’re meeting,” I point out.
“Two very different things. Ant’s up there with Daemon, too.”
“Ant?” I ask, my body automatically locking up at the thought of the Italian who seems to have moved in with us. Literally.
“You can trust him. He almost died getting Daemon back to me. He’s also got information and contacts that you all need.”
“And he’s willing to just tell us all?”
“I don’t know the details, but he hates his uncle almost as much as you all do, so yes. I think he’s all in.”
Unable to argue, I help Calli pack up her stuff and together we head out of my flat and let ourselves into Theo’s.
As promised, everyone is sitting around Theo’s sofas, looking beyond tense.
“About time. I can’t deal with all this alpha, big dick energy any longer,” Emmie announces, hopping up from beside Theo.
Damien watches her with curious eyes as she smacks a kiss on his son’s cheek and bounces over in her black shorts, fishnets and biker boots. Emmie is… well, fucking epic to be fair, but I don’t think she’s what any of us pictured for the future boss of the Family.
“Emmie,” Theo warns.
“What? We’re not going to cause trouble. Well, not too much,” she teases, throwing her arm around Calli’s shoulders and grinning widely.
“Sure you’re not. Just… make sure you take someone if you go out.”
“Pfft, please. I have a gun and a knife. We can hold our own.”
“Angel,” Daemon begs, looking horrified at the thought of Calli having to fight anyone.
“We’re not leaving the building. Ignore her. Have fun. And if you need any suggestions for your next book club, just let me know,” she teases, letting me see a whole new side to my sister before the two of them disappear from sight.
“Okay, Anthony, is your boy ready?” Damien asks the second the door slams closed.