One too Many

Chapter 47 🌶️

Samara

The morning sunlight filtered through the kitchen windows in golden streams, casting dancing shadows across the marble countertops as I watched my men prepare for the day ahead.

The familiar routine of breakfast had taken on a bittersweet quality, knowing they'd all be leaving soon to set our trap for Elias made every small moment feel precious.

Ian was at the stove, his broad shoulders moving with practiced efficiency as he flipped pancakes, the muscles in his back visible through his fitted black t-shirt. Dominic sat at the kitchen island, Johan perched on his lap, both of them engaged in what appeared to be a very serious discussion about whether dinosaurs could eat pancakes.

"They have very big teeth, Jojo," Dominic was explaining solemnly. "I think they could manage pancakes just fine."

"But what if pancakes too big?" Johan asked, his little brow furrowed in concentration.

"Then we make smaller pancakes," Dominic replied, ruffling his curls.

The twins were by the coffee machine, Cale programming it with the intensity of a NASA engineer while Cole leaned against the counter, already dressed in his tactical gear, checking his phone for final updates. Asher sat across from Dominic, reviewing building schematics one last time, his green eyes sharp and focused.

This was my family. This beautiful, chaotic, protective family that had somehow assembled itself around me like pieces of a puzzle I didn't even know I was missing.

"Baby girl," Ian's voice pulled me from my reverie. "Your plate."

I looked down to find a stack of perfectly golden pancakes waiting for me, still steaming, with fresh berries arranged artfully on top. My heart squeezed with affection.

"You didn't have to make them heart-shaped," I said, though I was smiling.

"Johan requested it," he replied with a shrug that didn't quite hide his pleased expression.

"No!" Johan protested, giggling. "Yanny did it fow Sasa cus Yanny love Sasa!"

The laughter that followed was warm and easy, filling the kitchen with the kind of joy I'd spent most of my life thinking was reserved for other people. As we ate, conversation flowed around mission details, backup plans, and contingencies.

Each of them would be taking on different aspects of the operation, planting surveillance equipment, establishing safe houses, coordinating with my brothers who were already in position.

"Be right back, guys," I tell them as I get up to go to the bathroom. I have had this urge to pee since I woke up and I have used the bathroom three times already in the past hour. So annoying.

I do my business fast so I can go back before the guys need to leave.

I open the bathroom door and start walking only to hit something hard that sends me stumbling backwards.

Strong arms wrap around me, pulling me against a warm chest. "Careful, Angel." Asher said as his arms tightened around me. "Did you hurt yourself?"

I cuddled against him. "I'm very fine." I say placing a kiss on his chest.

His arms tighten around me even further.

"What's wrong?" I asked him, worry seeping into my chest.

His hands come up to my cheeks and he lifts my face so I'm looking up at him, his brows furrowed with worry. "I don't want to leave you alone after all that happened. And you needed to take your medicine earlier than usual the other time."