The spicy scent of simmering pasta sauce stopped him cold. Felicity turned from stirring something delicious smelling in a pot, her feet bare, a faded yellow apron hugging her kick-ass body. “Hungry?”

She’d made him dinner? He staggered inside and toed off his boots. The hominess of the scene dug right into his heart and settled deep. “Aye.”

“Good.” She pointed to the table, which she’d set with matching plates. A bottle of Cabernet breathed next to two wineglasses. “Pour the wine, would you?”

He shook his head, his chest warming. “Sure.” First he went to the sink and washed off the dirt and death. It was probably a sad state of affairs that he could bury a body without mussing his clothing, but his jeans and shirt were as clean as when he’d left. Leaning over, trying to concentrate, he poured two generous glasses. “Where did you find enough food to make dinner?”

She laughed and turned to dump pasta on their plates. “I didn’t find much. No salad or bread to go with the pasta. But there were enough spices to make an interesting sauce.” After setting the pot back on the stove, she drew the apron over her head and turned to take a seat. “I also found a bottle of Rémy Martin Cognac hidden under the kitchen sink behind cleansers, mousetraps, and sponges.”

Daire’s mouth dropped open, and laughter burst from his chest. “That’s where Adam hid it? Dumbass.” He’d spent a good afternoon one day trying to find Adam’s stash. “And you cooked with it?”

“Just some of it.” She smiled and set her napkin on her lap.

Daire grinned. “Nicely done.” Aye, he understood she was a mother and probably had fed families many times, but he hadn’t really seen the domestic side of her before that night. Oddly enough, this side was as appealing as her daredevil and vengeance-seeking sides. In fact, her domesticity made his belly warm, his heart heat, and his cock stretch. Her brain, her ability to strategize, was fucking brilliant, if her plan to rob a couple of the most fortified banks in the world was any indication. He could’ve used her abilities during the war.

Yet her motivations were personal, and emotion clouded missions and got people killed. One of the banks was owned by a coalition of shifters, so surely they’d have immortal weapons and guards.

The mission was more dangerous than just dealing with a few human security guards.

Shifters didn’t mess around, and anybody trying to breach their security would be dealt with swiftly and without mercy. Which was exactly how he’d run a bank if he owned one, actually.

“Your looks are very deceiving,” he murmured, taking a taste of the meal and humming in appreciation.

“I know,” she mused, swirling her wine around in her glass. “People think I’m small and helpless, or cunning and ruthless. No middle ground.”

Aye, beauty had a price, yet she seemed more factual than worried about it. “Who knew that you’re a ruthless sweetheart with a penchant for trouble?”

She lifted her head. “Trouble?”

He cocked his head to the side in a come on gesture.

She dismissed him and picked up her fork. “One little helicopter accident doesn’t equal trouble.”

Ha.

“I hadn’t seen the results of Apollo up close before.” She took a bite and chewed slowly, her eyes dark. “It was horrible.”

“Aye.”

“Does the drug really have the same effect on witches?”

He nodded, his shoulders tensing. “Aye.”

She shook her head. “That’s terrible.” Her hands, pale and graceful, were clasped together. “The witch working with Ivan is called Rudger.”

Daire stilled. “You’re giving me his name?”

“Aye,” she mimicked his brogue. “I’ve been selfish in my pursuit of justice and hadn’t thought of anybody but my own family. Rudger is just a nickname, but it’s a start for you.”

Damn, but her sweetness pretty much flayed him. “Thank you.” He drew out his phone and sent the information to his brothers and the Coven Nine.

“You’re welcome. I think his partnership with Bychkov started just as Apollo was created, so it’s only been a year or so. Before that time, there was no record of Bychkov and any witch working together.” She leaned forward on the table, the movement pushing her breasts together. “The witch brought capital, and several of the mines started up again.”

Daire continued eating. “I appreciate the help.”

“Of course.” She ate several bites. “Tell me about your brothers.”

Daire paused and then reached for his wineglass. Small talk? He sucked at pleasantries. “Ah, Kellach is the wild one, Adam the logical one, and I’m the cranky one. I give orders and people follow them.” Or he cut off their heads. He smiled. “Everyone but you, of course.”

“I don’t follow orders well.”

“No shit.”

She cleared her throat. “Your parents?” she asked, sipping her wine.

“Retired and currently working on the food crops in Ireland. Both scientists.” He poured them both more wine. “I think they’re still stunned they gave birth to the three of us.”

She chuckled, the sound flicking across his nerve endings. “I’m sure. What about Simone?”

Most people were curious about the stunning witch. “Her mother is Vivienne Northcutt, and nobody has ever known who her father is. So when she was little, the three of us kind of enfolded her into the family.” He rubbed his chin. “Viv was often busy, and Simone was lonely, so she became ours.”

“You love her,” Felicity said slowly.

“Aye. She’s more of a sister.” He’d failed her once, long ago, and he’d never do so again. “I’d do anything for her. We all would.”

Felicity sighed. “Family man.”

He grinned. “Exactly.”

They ate in silence for a while. Oh. Maybe he should ask questions, too. “Tell me about your boys.”

Her eyes lit up. “Zane is the oldest, as you know, and is now the leader of the demon nation. As a boy, he was so serious and determined to protect us.” She glanced down. “I failed him.”

Daire reached out and patted her hand. “No, you didn’t. You did what you had to do to protect him from Ivan.”

“I know.” She swallowed. “But I didn’t realize how bad it would be with my brother, or how hard he’d train the boys.” She sighed and visibly shuddered, as if shrugging off the past. “Sam is the middle kid, and he acts like it. Is a total peacemaker with more patience than a saint.”

“Sounds like a good kid.”

“He is, until he isn’t.” Felicity took a healthy swallow of wine. “When his temper goes, it’s legendary.”

Daire snorted. “Adam is like that.” When Adam really blew his fuse, they all got out of the way. “And Logan, the massive beast who’s been eating me out of house and home, is your baby.”

She set her napkin on the plate. “Yes. He’s a sweetie, right?”

Ah, no. The kid was cunning, dangerous, and deadly. But he couldn’t organize worth crap. “Aye. He’s a nice kid.” In fact, Daire liked him, a lot. Were he and Cee Cee getting close? He liked her, and she liked him, so what the hell. Secrets and lies were behind them, and maybe, just maybe, after they shut down Apollo, he might court her. A long courtship with lots of fun for them both.

She stood and grabbed the plates.

He fumbled. “I’ll, ah—”

“Go sit down.” She set down the plates and turned to hand him the cognac and a crystal glass. “When I make dinner, I like to clean up to finish the entire act. Please.”

If the woman wanted to be all domesticated and take care of him, he was totally on board. “I sure like this side of you.”

She lifted an eyebrow. “This side?”

“Aye. As opposed to the side that drugs me and gets me shot.” He turned and banked the fire before dropping into a chair and stretching out his legs.

She hummed as she cleaned up the kitchen, and a coziness filled the room. Finally, she crossed near him. “Family is family, Daire.” Her words held a hint of warning and a thread of sadness.