Chapter 19

Nineteen

"I'm serious, there is nothing quite like bagels from New York."

This afternoon has been perfect. I came home early and grabbed Nikita. We stopped by a bakery before heading to Lake Michigan to watch the waves crash against the shore.

I really wanted our second date to be skating, but I haven't had a chance to get that all arranged yet. So instead, I did the next best thing. Last night on our date, she told me how she loves to bake, and I knew I had to take her to my favorite bakery that she hadn't been to.

Who would have thought we would spark a debate over a form of bread?

"A bagel is a bagel," she says adamantly.

I open the door to the apartment. "You're wrong. You know what? One of these days we're going to have to go to New York so you can try one for yourself," I say, letting an idea take form.

I really do need to go visit Tris. I've been trying to reach out to him, but it seems like he is giving me a taste of my own medicine. I deserve it, though, so I haven't pressed. He will call me when he gets over it, and I'll end up having to do something stupid to make it up to him.

He's more high-maintenance than my actual wife.

"I'll go, but that's a ridiculous reason to go to New York," she says as we step inside.

"Oh, so you'll come to New York for a bagel, but not for your best friend."

I cringe when I hear the voice.

Nikita goes stiff, but I know that voice from anywhere. I look over and there he is. Tristano is sprawled out on the couch, like he owns the place.

I sigh. "What are you doing here?"

I should have known. He wasn't ignoring my calls to be petty like I thought. No, he wanted to be dramatic, and I was ruining it. This is what he meant by see you soon yesterday morning. Fucker had already planned to surprise me.

Tristano raises a brow. "What, can I not come visit you anymore?"

I shake my head. "I didn't say that, Tris."

"Might as well have. You don't answer when I call, you don't text, it's like you forgot all about me." He slaps his hand across his chest.

He is really playing up the whole wounded puppy thing. God, I know it's all a way to manipulate me, but fuck if it isn't working anyway. I feel guilty as well.

"I called you yesterday after the meeting. You didn't answer," I remind him. "Then again this morning I called."

He pouts. "I was busy."

"Oh my god, Tris, stop being so dramatic," Serena scolds as she comes into view. She winces as she looks over at us. "I'm sorry, I tried to talk him out of letting himself in, but he had a key, and I really needed to go to the bathroom."

"It's fine," Nikita reassures her. "It's nice to see you again."

Serena flashes her a smile. "You too."

Tristano sighs. "He gets married and forgets I exist. It's not right. Especially after everything we've been through."

Serena looks over at me and glares. "Fix it. I can't take any more of this."

I hold up my hands. "Fix what? I've been busy. I have shit I need to do."

"You broke him. This is literally all he does when he gets home from work is moan about you."

I scoff.

"You think I'm joking? Pull up the cameras for our place and go back and look. I'll wait."

Shit, she's serious.

Of course she is. If there's one thing you need to know about Tristano, it's that he has a flair for the dramatics. He's like a golden retriever. He is all happy and goofy, which makes you love him, but hurt his feelings and it's like watching that poor dog give you the cold shoulder. It fucking hurts your feelings.

What's crazy to me is that this same man who is carefree and silly as hell is the same man who I have watched take a man's life without question. It's such a paradox.

Nikita turns to me with a crease between her eyebrows. "I'm confused. Were you two together before we got married? I thought he was with Serena. Is that why we haven't, you know?"

She's dead serious too. Nikita now thinks the reason I haven't fucked the daylights out of her is because I'm harboring feelings for my idiot best friend.

I groan, and Serena laughs.

Tristano jumps up and points to himself. "I'm straight as an arrow. It's pussy for life for me. Declan, though, is my guy. My best friend for life. I can promise you, I have no interest in what's in his pants. That's all yours, Nikita, darling. As for the other thing you said, Dec, we need to have a serious talk. You haven't had sex with that gorgeous woman? Is it because of the femme fatale thing?" Tristano studies her a moment before continuing. "I'm like eighty percent sure she isn't planning to murder you. Then again, praying mantis probably don't think they are going to nut then lose their heads to their women either, but they do. Every. Damn. Time."

I groan at what she let slip. It's no one's business, yet now Tristano is going to harp on it.

"Why must you take everything to an extreme?" I ask as I pinch the bridge of my nose.

"Have you met him?" Serena deadpans.

Tristano holds out his arms. "I'm waiting."

Dragging my feet I walk, forward and hug the fool, making sure to pat him extra hard on the back. I feel him wince, but he doesn't say anything. This is the way of men, and he knows it.

"When did you get into town and how long are you staying?" I ask as I pull away.

"Trying to get rid of me already?" Tristano whines.

"We got in an hour ago, and we leave tomorrow," Serena tells me as she steps forward.

I pull her into a hug. "Good to see you."

"You too," she murmurs as she pulls away. "Again, I'm sorry we just showed up."

"It's all right. Where are you guys staying?"

"The Currency. Figured with everything going on right now, it would be smart to stay at an ally's establishment," Tristano says.

I nod. "You can stay at Nikita's place if you want. I mean, she was shot at through the bedroom window, but we fixed it, and I'm sure it won't happen again."

Tris smirks. "What do you say, anima gemella? You up for a little adventure?"

Serena giggles. "If you want."

"We will stay there." Tris nods his head enthusiastically yes.

I swear these two get off on the dangerous situations they put themselves in.

"Everything going on?—"

Nikita cuts in. "Do you mean my father? Is everything okay?" Nikita seems nervous.

I look over to see that she's moved so she's standing close to me. I love that she is seeking me out. It's like her drunken night and the date after has her walls nowhere in sight. It's something I'm taking advantage of. Quickly, this woman has gone from being an adversary to my obsession. I want to learn everything I can about her.

"Everything is fine, mo chroi." I brush my hand down the side of her face. "We have not heard another word from your father."

I purposely leave her secret admirer out of it. Just last night, a lingerie set was delivered for her. The delivery man knew nothing other than it was paid for in cash with another one of the associates days ago. The note was just as frustrating.

One day you will wear this for me, my darling love. The day I claim what is mine.

I resist the urge to tighten my fists. I don't need her knowing that this fucker keeps evading my surveillance. He's obviously into tech because he's managed to scatter the signal every time he's near a camera. It is driving me insane knowing he could be close and I'd have no idea.

"You'll have to excuse my man. Sometimes his mouth gets ahead of him. It's something we're working on," Serena adds, calming Nikita even more.

Tristano winces. "Sorry, I didn't mean it like that. I'm just in the middle of working on something, and it's got me on edge."

"If you're sure," Nikita says hesitantly.

"I am." Tristano claps. "So what do you guys want to do? It's a little early, but we could go to dinner? Oh! Or we could go get matching tattoos!"

"No," Serena and I say in unison.

"What tattoo would you even get?" Nikita asks.

I groan. "Don't encourage him."

"Friendship tattoos. Maybe an infinity symbol or something."

Nikita looks like she is considering his words when I cut in. "No. No permanent marks."

Tristano pouts. "You two are no fun. It's like you're purposely ganging up on me."

"Well, someone's got to keep you in line," Serena mutters.

He shoots her a dirty look.

"How about we go to the pub? Have a few drinks, eat some food, and catch up?" I offer.

"Yes!" Tristano fist pumps.

Serena rolls her eyes. "Works for me."

"Nikita?"

"Oh, you want me to go too?" She looks surprised.

I frown. "Why wouldn't I?"

She shrugs. "I just assumed you would want to spend time alone with your friends."

Tristano scoffs as he steps forward, dropping his arm over her shoulders. "Woman, you married my best friend, which means you're my best friend by proxy. I have to get to know you so when people ask I can tell them more than that you're sassy and look fantastic in a leather jacket."

Nikita's eyes widen and move between Serena and me.

"He's a lot. I know," I tell her.

"But we wouldn't change him," Serena adds.

"Damn right, you wouldn't." Tristano laughs, and he moves toward the front door with Nikita still under his arm. "Now let's go!"

"You are never allowed to ghost him again," Serena whispers, making me chuckle.

"Understood." We walk out the door, and I lock it.

"Oh, hey," I say, turning toward Tristano. "Can I get my key back?"

"Ha! That's funny." He chuckles as he walks toward the elevator. "Don't think I didn't notice that little bowl gone either. I already ordered one online. It will be here in the morning."

Nikita looks back at me, panicked.

"Nikita threw it at the wall. Wasn't my fault." I shrug.

She narrows her eyes at me as she stiffens in Tristano's arms.

He burst out laughing, pressing a kiss to the side of her head. "You are my favorite friend, Nikita. Please tell me you threw it at his head at least. I would pay good money to see that. You know the harder you fight, the better the fuck will be, right?"

"Umm…" Nikita sputters.

I push Tris, making him drop his arm from her. "Enough, idiot. Give me my wife back."

I pull her into my side as Tristano keeps on with his dramatics.

Leaning in, I whisper in Nikita's ear, "I've got you, mo chroi."

Feeling her relax against me is a heady feeling.

I'm so fucking gone for this woman.

"What can I get you?"the waitress asks as she approaches our table.

"Can we get two whiskey sours, please?" Tristano says, ordering for him and Serena.

Declan looks at me. "You go first."

"I'll take a whiskey sour as well," I murmur.

"A Guinness for me, and can we also get one of all the appetizers, thanks," Declan orders.

"Of course, I'll be right back with those," the waitress says before running off.

Tristano leans back on his side of the booth and throws his arm over Serena's shoulders. "So, Nikita, has Declan ever told you about his time in New York?"

I shake my head, and Declan groans.

Tristano chuckles. "Well, you see, everything your man knows how to do on a computer he learned from me."

I hide my surprise. I didn't know Declan was into computers. I just thought he was Callum's muscle and right-hand man. That's all I've seen of him so far at least.

"I learned more from Greer and Enzo than I did you," Declan mutters. "You just housed me and annoyed the fuck out of me."

Tristano ignores Declan's jab. "Declan stayed with us for about six months, and that's when we became best friends. We worked all day, went out all night, you name it, we did it."

I stiffen at his words. I know Declan likely fucked other women in the past, but I can't help the jealousy flowing through me.

Declan leans over, whispering in my ear, "Not that kind of going out, mo chroi. I was focused on work when I was there. Not pussy."

I let out a breath. He didn't owe me that, but I'm glad he offered it. I know my husband isn't a virgin, but I don't want to hear about the past. It makes me feel icky inside.

Tristano pauses as the waitress drops off our drinks, but picks back up when she walks away. "Anyway, we had a blast. I even got this guy to do karaoke one night."

"What did he sing?" Serena asks with amusement in her voice.

Tristano smirks. "‘Achy Breaky Heart'."

"No, I fucking didn't, don't lie. We both know I only got up on stage and sang once, and that was with you. We sang ‘Bye Bye Bye' and you sang a bunch of the lyrics wrong." Declan protests.

Serena laughs, looking at Declan. "You sang NSYNC?"

Declan shrugs, his shoulder brushing against mine. "You know how it is. When he wants something, he badgers you until he wears you down."

Serena tips her glass toward Declan. "Facts."

"I do not," Tristano protests.

Both Declan and Serena give him a look that says he's full of shit.

I kind of love this dynamic. It reminds me a lot of what me and Declan do with one another. Or at least did before we entered this weird limbo where each of us isn't quite sure how to act around one another. They bicker like an old married couple, but you can tell it's all in fun. There's no bad vibes within this group. It makes me smile.

"Okay, so maybe you're right, but I was always told to keep going after what I want, so I do. It's worked out for me so far," Tristano says as he pulls Serena into his side.

She smiles up at him. "You're ridiculous."

"But you love me," he singsongs.

God, I can feel the love flowing between them. Before I spent any time with Autumn and Callum, I never would have hoped for something like that, but now I do. I want what all of these women who are impacting my life have with their men. I want to love and be loved in return, even if I'm not quite sure what that looks like.

"How long have you two been together?" I ask in a moment of silence.

"Like been together, together, or known that we belong together?" Tristano asks.

Serena rolls her eyes. "We started officially dating last summer."

"I've known she's the one for years. We just had to work our way through our problems," Tristano adds.

Serena looks at me. "I was a cop, raised by cops. It took me a while to walk away from that life."

"Ah." I nod in understanding.

I don't know a lot about Declan's business, but I do know it's not quite legal. I assume Tristano has a similar business back home if that's how they became friends. My father always kept me out of his business, but I overheard things. I can see how a cop would have an issue falling for a man in their line of work. Seems they make it work, though. Good for her.

"Long story short, I worked as an undercover cop trying to pick up johns, guys who pay for sex. One night, I was taken. Thankfully, Tristano realized I was missing and went to work trying to find me. He and the families here in Chicago got me and a bunch of other women and girls out safely." Serena looks at Declan. "Which I'm extremely grateful for, and I know the others are as well."

"It was nothing," Declan tells her.

"After everything happened, we said fuck it and decided we were sick of being apart," Tristano adds.

"I am glad it all worked out in the end," I tell them.

Serena smiles. "Thanks."

"Okay, I have to ask. Isn't Nikita a typical Russian male name?" Tristano asks.

Declan groans. "Seriously?"

"What? I'm curious!"

"Curiosity killed the cat." Declan looks at me. "You don't have to answer him."

I don't understand what the big deal is and why Declan doesn't think his friend should ask. It's not a secret or anything.

I look at Tristano. "Typically, you are correct, but my mother was Greek and she named me. She told me when I was a child it means unconquerable, and that's all she wanted for me in life was to be unconquered."

The table falls silent as they all stare at me.

Did I say something wrong?

"That's fitting considering you're so mouthy and like to give me a hard time," Declan mutters to me.

Tristano scoffs. "You like it. Be honest, you would hate it if she was meek and quiet. You need a woman to push back on you. Besides, that whole femme fatale thing she has going on gets your dick hard. I saw the way you looked when I mentioned it when we went to get the rings. Don't lie to me."

I swallow hard, looking over at Declan. His cheeks are a bit red. Could what Tristano is saying be true? Does he like when I am combative with him? Does he like our game as much as I do? Maybe I should play it up again. Get us back on track. I bet it would wash away some of the awkwardness between us.

Especially after he slept with me last night.

A double bed and two adults trying not to crowd one another doesn't work very well. I wouldn't trade it for the world, though. When I woke up, I was sprawled across Declan's chest. I don't know if he enjoyed it, but I sure did. Even if I did accidentally elbow him in the balls when I scrambled for the bathroom to hide my embarrassment.

Declan glares at Tristano before changing the subject. "Tell me, how's the family? Greer adjusting to not being superwoman after having the baby?"

Tristano shakes his head. "I see what you did there, but I love that kid, so I'll let you do it. Kieran is amazing and hasn't slowed her down at all."

"I can always tell when she's been to the office instead of working from home. He gets this dopy look on his face and asks when we can make a baby." She rolls her eyes.

"He's a cute kid, tell me I'm wrong!"

She raises a brow at her man. "He's cute, sure, but we aren't ready for a baby yet."

"Is anyone ever actually ready to have a baby?" he questions her.

"You know what I mean. It's hard enough taking care of one baby, let alone two." She gives Tristano a pointed look before continuing. "Besides, if we had a baby, we wouldn't be able to fly to Chicago on a whim because your best friend isn't answering your calls."

"Hey, don't bring me into this," Declan tells her.

Tristano rolls his eyes. "Please, the baby could come with easily enough. Life doesn't just stop because you have a kid. You just have to adjust and have reasonable expectations."

I lean over into Declan's side and murmur, "I don't understand why they are arguing about this…"

Declan turns his head, and his lips brush the top of my ear, making me shiver. "They aren't really arguing, mo chroi. This is their version of foreplay."

He has been calling me mo chroi for a while now, and I still haven't had the nerve to ask him about it. I tried to look it up, but I must be spelling it wrong because what I found can't be right.

"I see," I lie, still not understanding.

How is arguing about something so insignificant right now foreplay?

He presses a kiss against my temple. "It's like the way our bickering energizes us. It's exciting. I know you feel it too. That's what they are feeling right now."

I gasp, processing his words. Before I can respond, he turns back to his friends.

"Back to what we were talking about…" Declan says, cutting them all off. "How is everyone else?"

Tristano gives him a play-by-play on how their friends are doing in New York City. I've never met these people, let alone heard Declan talk about them, but I learn so much about them. I find out that Killian is more in love with Greer than ever. That Enzo and his wife Danica are doing well and how their daughter V is growing like a weed. Hell, I even learn that their favorite barista recently got married.

The more Tristano talks, I realize why these two are friends. Tristano talks enough for the both of them, and Declan can relax and turn off the part of his brain that is always looking for danger. I know he's still aware of what's happening around us by the way he tracks the room, but he's having a good time while doing so.

I've heard him laugh more tonight than I think I ever have, and I don't want it to stop.