Chapter Twenty-Nine

Hunter

He’d seen the fear in Seven’s eyes and did everything possible to make it disappear.

He’d do whatever it took to let Seven know he and his love were in safe hands.

“So… about what you said last night,” he began.

“What part?”

“If you want to join Erebus, I’ll back you,” he said softly. Even though he wanted Seven by his side, he also wanted Seven to be comfortable.

“What if I don’t join either Pegasus or Erebus?” Seven murmured, cupping his neck and brushing a thumb along his jaw.

Hunter smiled and rubbed his face against Seven’s hand. “I’m good with whatever makes you happy.”

Seven smiled. “What about you? Will you go back to Erebus?”

“Um, that would be a big fat no,” Hunter huffed. “I may be qualified for that job, but I don’t want it. Too many hours spent alone.”

“Yeah, and I don’t want that, but I’ll be honest, I’m not sure Pegasus or Phoenix is the right fit for me.”

Hunter nodded, hesitated, and then blurted. “Is it because of me?”

“What?” Seven frowned with confusion.

“I work there, and you don’t want to work with me?”

“No. I love working with you. I just don’t like taking orders.”

Hunter smiled. “Except from me.”

“Except from you,” Seven agreed with a smirk.

“Well, now that’s settled.” Hunter smiled. “We’ll talk to Dave and see what we can do.”

“I do need a steady income.”

“I know.” Hunter cupped Seven’s face before he wriggled back into sitting at his side.

Sipping the rest of their coffee in companionable silence, Hunter went over the different scenarios of employment in his head. Jobs that hopefully didn’t include ones from Erebus.

When his phone buzzed on the nightstand, he lifted it up to check the text.

“It’s Jaxon. He’s back in Colorado and he got word that Solomon sought help from one of the Erebus doctors.”

“What will Dave do about Solomon?”

“I don’t know. I hope he’ll let him stay on.”

“Solomon did put himself at risk trying to save you and Theo.”

“And that’s why I’ll put in a good word for Solomon when I talk to Dave.”

“What will he do about Theo?”

“Jaxon convinced Dave that Theo is an asset and won’t be retired.”

Hunter tossed his phone on the bed.

“Move in with me.”

He froze at the softly spoken words and his gaze flew up, catching and holding Seven’s ocean-colored eyes. Fuck, he’d love nothing more than to live with this man.

“Are you sure?” He squinted. “It is awfully soon.”

“Soon? We’ve known each other for over a year.” Seven looked so affronted, Hunter had to laugh.

“You don’t think a year is too short?”

“A year? Nope, that’s a long ass time,” Seven argued with a slight pout.

“I have stuff in storage,” he warned.

“Bring it over. I need a new couch anyways. Ice refuses to sleep in the spare room and has broken down my cushions.”

Hunter snickered and combed his fingers up through the strands of Seven’s dark, rich hair.

“What if we’re not compatible?”

Seven huffed and gestured to their crotches hidden beneath the sheet. “We are.”

“I snore sometimes.”

“I’ll invest in earplugs.”

“I hog the covers.”

“I’ll buy two sets.”

“I like to sleep on the left side,” Hunter teased.

“Well, that’s a deal breaker.”

Hunter hooted with laughter and Seven tackled him onto the bed.

“You goof.”

“Yeah, but I’m your goof,” Seven said.

Truer words were never spoken.

They left the hotel much later, tossing things into Seven’s truck. Hunter punched in an address and Seven gave him a startled look when the GPS said to turn right and then left.

“Where are we going?”

“I’m taking you to meet my moms.”

“What! Right now?” Seven stared at him wide-eyed from behind the wheel and Hunter reached over to take the man’s right hand.

“Don’t worry.”

“Jesus, warn a guy,” Seven mumbled, and Hunter laughed, squeezed his hand, and released it.

“They live close. Come on, we’ll only stay a few minutes, and it’s on the way to your house.”

“How do you know where I live?” Seven pulled onto the road and took the ramp to the freeway.

“What? You can bug my phone but I can’t search for an address?”

“Then you must know my real name.”

“Duh.”

Seven laughed loudly. “No introductions needed?”

“Are you serious? We’ve been lovers for almost a year, and you thought I wouldn’t… what? Check into you?”

“You did?”

“I’m a cautious man,” Hunter teased. “I like to know who I’m screwing.”

“Hey!” Seven poked a lip out, checked the rearview mirror, and got over into the fast lane.

Hunter grinned. “Just kidding, you goof.”

Seven tossed him a smile. “I know, I just wanted you to take it back.”

Hunter laughed, and he was still smiling when they pulled up ten minutes later in front of the cream-colored, two-story house at the end of a cul-de-sac.

Momma and Mom rushed out onto the porch before Seven could turn the truck off. Hunter laughed and jumped out.

“There you are!” Mom said, holding out her arms, and Hunter rushed up the steps to hold her tightly before pulling Momma into their three-way hug.

Hearing the truck door quietly shut, Hunter pulled free and turned to a hesitant Seven.

“Mom, Momma, this is Seven. He’s mine.”

Hunter held out his hand, and Seven smirked, shaking his head, but there was no hesitation when the man took the steps upward and gripped his hand.

“Oh, Seven!” Mom cried. “It’s so nice to finally meet you.”

“I made pie,” Momma gushed, wrapping her arm around Seven’s and guiding him into the house.

His moms went into the kitchen, and he took Seven’s hand to pull him into the living room.

Hunter stepped inside and froze.

“Well, it’s about time you two showed up,” Parker said from his spot on the couch. A football game played on the television and Oliver was tucked up against Parker on the cushions with a bowl of popcorn on his lap.

“Hey, bro,” Hunter said with a casual wave.

His older brother squinted at him and then zoomed in on Seven. Tension in the room could be felt immediately and Oliver elbowed Parker in the ribs. His brother grunted.

“You hurt him in any way and I’ll—”

“Okay, okay.” Hunter cut his brother off with a shake of his head and said simply, “No, we are not doing this.”

He stared at Parker for another moment before his brother’s lips twitched. When Parker turned back to Seven, there was a softer, more open expression on the former police chief’s face.

“Welcome to the family, Seven,” Parker said.

“Ditto,” Oliver added.

“Thank you.”

“Now,” Hunter said, slapping his hands together. “Let’s go find some food.” He grabbed Seven’s hand and pulled him toward the kitchen.

“Don’t eat all the fixings before that chicken is done baking,” Parker bitched but Hunter only laughed.

When he and Seven stepped into the warm kitchen filled with smells of rich food and spices, his Mom and Momma rushed up to them.

“I’m so happy for you both.” Momma sniffled.

“Aw, Momma, come on.” Hunter patted her shoulder, and she dabbed at her eyes with the edge of her apron.

And Hunter watched, amazed when Seven drew both women into his arms and held them tight.

Their eyes met over their heads and Hunter thought his heart would burst.