Page 56 of High Reward

“He had to get me a second husband because I’m too much for him,” Bellamy teases.

That earns her a scowl, and she squeals when Owen turns away from me and stalks toward her.

Victor crouches down in front of my chair and lays his head against my lap. I can feel the weariness rolling off him. “It’s so good to see you, Mariposa,” he murmurs.

“How is Lili?”

“Banged up but going to be fine. The doctor just has to stitch up a cut, and then we can go say hello if you like.

Hunter wheels Trinity back in grumbling about her stubbornness, but she just smiles brightly at all of us.

“It’s so good to see you all,” Trinity says. “Thank you for opening your space to us. It seems silly that none of our properties were deemed safe enough, but until we find out who is working for the mayor and her son, we have to be careful.”

Hunter squeezes her shoulders before pulling a chair from a nearby table to sit next to her.

I have so many questions about the day, but Victor on the floor with his head in my lap is distracting. I run my fingers through his hair as his eyes drift closed.

Hunter looks around the space, and I can see him taking mental notes.

“This is quite an impressive place you’ve built. When we aren’t in immediate danger, I would love a proper tour.”

Bellamy stands and shakes his hand. “I’m told I have you to thank for my husbands being able to rescue me a few months ago.”

Hunter shakes her hand and studies her for a moment. “That would make you Bellamy. I’m glad you’re OK. Owen would be worthless to me if you weren’t.”

Bellamy blushes and looks at Owen with a sappy smile on her face before turning her attention back to Hunter.

“I give prospective new members their tours all the time. It would mean a lot if I could do the same for you and Mrs. Novak.”

Trinity reaches out to squeeze Bellamy’s hand. “Trinity, please.”

“Ashamed of me, are you?” Hunter teases.

She swats his hand off her shoulder and laughs at his scowl. The two of them are fun to watch. It’s clear how in love they are, and I hope people can see that much love between Victor, Lili, and me someday.

“You look deep in thought, butterfly,” Victor says as he stands.

“Yeah. I’m thinking about how lucky we are. And also, that I really want to see Lili.”

“Soon, sweetheart. Soon,” Victor promises.

He pulls me to my feet and grabs the backpack I had under the table. “Come with me.”

I swallow, remembering that he promised me a spanking before having me finish my paper.

At his office door, he pauses before unlocking it, as if he’s contemplating something.

Whatever it is passes, and he pushes the door open and motions me inside.

When the door is closed again, he drops the bag on the sofa and pulls me into his arms.

To my surprise, tears wet my neck as he buries his face there.

“Victor, what’s wrong?”

“I almost lost her, Grace. And I feel like an ass for crying about that to you.”

I squeeze him harder and let him get his emotions out, knowing he would never allow himself to be this vulnerable in front of the others.