"Nathan?" Stephanie murmured, blinking as the scent of eggs, toast, and something sweet drifted into the room. She pushed herself up on the pillows, brows raised in disbelief. "Are you… are you holding a tray? With breakfast?"
Nathan arched a brow as he stepped in, calm as ever, though his lips curved slightly. "No, I'm levitating it with my mind."
She laughed. "Well damn, your powers are growing."
"Eat, Quinn," he said dryly, setting the tray on her lap. "You need to recover."
She looked down at the food—scrambled eggs perfectly fluffed, toast lightly browned, and strawberries sliced with almost obsessive precision. She picked one up, grinning. "Did you actually make this or threaten someone into doing it?"
Nathan gave her a mock glare. "You're surprisingly ungrateful for someone who got breakfast in bed."
Stephanie smirked. "I'm just trying to confirm the apocalypse isn't around the corner. You? Making me breakfast? I always thought you were a hopeless romantic."
"I'm a man of many talents." He leaned down and kissed her forehead.
"Mmm," she murmured, tugging at his shirt. "Talents you should use on me instead of these eggs."
He chuckled softly, brushing his fingers along her jaw. "Tempting. But no. Food first. Then the other kind of devouring later."
"Ugh, such a responsible man," she muttered as she bit into the toast.
"And yet, you're still here," he said, amused, perching at the edge of the bed. "Any plans today?"
"Work," she mumbled around the toast, rolling her eyes. "Unfortunately."
"You're not going alone," he said firmly. "I'll drive you."
She blinked. "You? Dropping me off? What happened to 'chauffeurs exist for a reason'?"
"I want to," he said simply. "But I assume you'll need to stop by your place first?"
Stephanie nodded, sipping the juice. "Yeah. I left some documents there. I need them before I go to the office."
"Then we'll go there first." His voice was final.
She sighed but couldn't fight the small smile on her lips. "You're really leaning into this whole protective, breakfast-making boyfriend thing, huh?"
Nathan leaned in close. "Is it working?"
"Dangerously so."
They shared a soft kiss—slow, lingering. But when she deepened it, slipping her hand around his neck, he pulled back with a smirk. "Eat."
She groaned. "You're such a buzzkill."
He chuckled. "You'll thank me later."
Her smile dimmed a bit as she poked at the eggs. "I've been thinking about Mom. What happened yesterday… the way she looked so scared. It's my fault.I wonder why Damien would want to hurt me and what those men meant by I should stay out of his business."
Nathan frowned. "Stephanie—"
"She was only attacked because of me, because of everything happening," she said quietly. "She's already been through so much, and now this?"
He reached for her hand. "We're keeping her safe. I promise. My men are with her, and after work, they'll take you to see her."
"You won't come?"
"I have something urgent at the office," he admitted. "But I'll check in after. I won't let anything happen to her. Or you."
Stephanie nodded slowly. "I know. It's just… a lot."
"I'm here," he said, voice low. "We'll face it all. Together."
She leaned forward and kissed him again, gentler this time. "I'm glad I have you."
"Finish up," he said, brushing her cheek. "We've got a dramatic entrance to make."
Stephanie's front door swung open, and the scent of fresh coffee and something sweet floated into the hall. She stepped in with Nathan behind her—and froze at the sight in the kitchen.
Anita sat perched on the counter in her pajamas, laughing at something Leo said. He stood close, one hand resting beside her thigh, the other offering her a forkful of pancake. The air between them practically crackled—and then, without warning, Leo leaned in and kissed her, slow and deep.
"Ahem."
Anita jumped like she'd been electrocuted. "Steph!"
Leo groaned, head falling back. "You could knock, you know."
Stephanie crossed her arms, grinning. "In my own house? Yeah, no. Not happening."
Nathan smirked silently behind her.
Anita turned crimson, trying to climb off the counter like she'd been caught in high school. "We… I… he just—"
"I'm calling it now," Steph said brightly. "You're officially my sister-in-law."
Leo raised a brow. "A bit soon, don't you think?"
"Don't you dare break her heart," Steph added in mock warning. "I don't care if you're my brother—I'll end you."
Anita giggled, hiding behind her coffee mug. Leo placed a dramatic hand on his chest. "Such violence before breakfast?"
Nathan chuckled under his breath.
Leo narrowed his eyes at him. "Wait a second. Did he just laugh?"
Anita gasped. "He smiled too!"
Leo chuckled."Did you just smile, Voss?"
Nathan looked affronted. "I smile when necessary."
Leo snorted. "Like when the world ends?"
"I'll take that as a compliment," Nathan said smoothly.
Stephanie looped her arm through his and grinned. "Oh, leave him alone. He made me breakfast this morning."
Anita's mouth dropped. "You're kidding."
"She's not," Nathan replied dryly. "And it was excellent."
Leo looked like he was reevaluating reality. "Okay, now I am scared."
They all laughed as Stephanie pulled away. "You weirdos have fun. I'm going to grab the files I came for."
Stephanie paused at the top of the stairs, the laughter still echoing behind her like music. She smiled to herself, her hand resting on the banister. For a moment, everything felt… right. Normal. Like the weight of secrets and danger had loosened its grip—if only for a few minutes.
She took a breath, squared her shoulders, and walked into her room to get the documents.
Whatever came next, she wasn't facing it alone anymore.