“I wasn’t kidding, Nat.” Lucky shot her a look from over his shoulder. “I won’t be sleeping.”
“Oh. Okay, then, there you have it. Everyone who needs one has a bed to sleep in, and you guys don’t have to mess with finding a hotel room or paying for parking or any of that nonsense.”
“Works for me.” Archer shrugged on his way into the kitchen. “But if I’m going to be looking at reports all night, I’m gonna need some coffee.”
“Coffee and filters are in the upper right cabinet next to the sink,” Logan informed him. “Pot’s right there.”
The other man lifted a thumb in the air as he passed by. “Got it.”
“I’ll order the pizza and wings,” Chase offered.
“Hey, Knox!” Donavan called into the kitchen.
“Yeah?” Archer’s rugged face reappeared in the archway between the two rooms.
“Make sure that coffee’s strong this time. I can’t handle that weak shit you suck down.”
“Bullshit, my coffee’s weak. I use nearly double what the directions say.”
“There’s your first problem,” Donovan grumbled as he started sorting papers in a line along the coffee table.”
Archer scowled. “I have a problem?”
“You do if you have to read the directions to make a fucking pot of coffee.”
Natalie couldn’t hold back a snicker when Archer pretended to crank up his middle finger before vanishing into the kitchen, once again. Giving Donovan a quick glance, she offered him a chagrined, “Sorry, Van.”
The mountain of a man didn’t say a word, but the quick wink he threw at her before turning away let her know they were good. Despite what may very well be a dangerous situation, she felt more complete than she had since losing Hunter.
She had Tessa, of course. But these guys…they were her family, too.
“Well I guess it’s settled.” Logan looked her way. “I’ll just throw these on again in the morning and change when we get back here.” He motioned to his jeans and shirt. “Anything you need to take with you?”
“Not a lot. I’ll be quick.”
“Take your time.”
With a dip of her chin, Natalie left him and the others and headed down the hall. Though she’d been sleeping in Logan’s bed the last two nights, her facewash and other toiletries were still in the spare bathroom.
Going inside the small room, she set about gathering the few things she’d need tonight and in the morning. Toothbrush, deodorant, facewash, birth control…
When she was finished with that, she went back into the bedroom to grab the small pile of dirty clothes she’d collected the past few days. She may not get her house back in order tonight, but she could at least do a load or two of laundry while they were there.
The low rumble of male voices reached her ears as she started across the room toward the door. Her steps froze when she heard Lucky say her name. Not so much because he’d said it, but morehowhe said it.
It had almost sounded light, as if he’d been teasing Logan about something. Something to do with her.
She inched closer being careful not to let her steps be heard. A sliver of guilt sank in with every silent step. Her mom had taught her and Tessa that eavesdropping was rude. But her mom wasn’t here, so…
Sorry, Mom.
Natalie stood just inside the half-opened doorway and put her ear as close as she could without being seen. It didn’t take long for her to wish she’d listened to her mother.
“Come on, man. Just fess up now, so I can get my winnings.” Definitely Lucky’s voice.
“Shh!” Logan hushed the other man. “Will you keep your voice down? She’s right in the other room, for fuck’s sake.”
Definitely talking about me.