Chapter 356: You aren’t coming between us

[Captain~ as you said, those rifts appeared right in the basement of the damned club. Oh fuck, what a delightful treat it was to see their horrified faces.]

Ethan hummed. "What about the carcass?"

[All delivered to the mansion. But captain, how did you know the precise location? I mean, not even the sensors could predict where they would spawn.]

Ethan muttered coldly, "I don’t find it entertaining to repeat my orders. But I’ll do it for you." His tone dropped, each word becoming sharper as he added, "Don’t ask questions. Just follow orders. Did I make myself clear?"

There was a brief pause on the other end before the response finally came.

[Understood, captain.]

Ethan disconnected the call and opened his messages, sending a brief text to someone.

’Delivered. Everything went smoothly.’

There was no response. Ethan made no attempt to send another message and simply closed the app, his expression remaining as impassive as before.

Just then, someone approached him.

"Hey, you talking to someone?"

Ethan turned and found Clara standing there. "No. Did you finish your training?"

Clara gave him a faint smile and nodded. "Uhm, do you have any plans for the evening?" Her voice barely managed to conceal the hope behind the question.

Ethan hummed thoughtfully before asking, "Is there some plan you haven’t told me about?"

Clara immediately grew flustered. "I was about to ask you. Would you mind going out for a coffee?"

Ethan considered it for a moment. "If we stay in Montclair, then yes."

Clara looked even more embarrassed. "Of course. I’m not going to suddenly ask you to take a vacation. It’s just somewhere near the western complex."

Ethan nodded. He checked his phone once more, then decided to accompany her.

His master had instructed him to maintain a close connection with his team, and Ethan took the liberty of considering this another opportunity to fulfill his master’s orders.

’I hope the master will be happy with my decision.’

A small smile touched his lips, one that Clara completely failed to notice.

....

"It was nice," Veronica muttered. "But how come the person who recommended the movie has already fallen asleep?" She glanced to the other side and found Amanda sound asleep.

Kyle faintly smiled and adjusted Amanda’s position, making her more comfortable against the pillow. He gently lowered her head so she wouldn’t wake up with a headache the next morning before responding, "She’s always been like this. That’s why we don’t go to theatres."

Veronica shook her head. "Well, people can have strange habits. I also can’t find the thrill in roller coasters or high-speed cars."

Kyle corrected her, "That’s because you can perceive things much better than a normal person. What’s the thrill when you can see exactly where you’re going and react before anything goes wrong?"

Veronica smiled faintly. "Well, true. I think there should be another amusement park exclusively for awakened ones. One that could actually take things to the extreme."

Kyle didn’t comment on that. Instead, he covered Amanda with a duvet before lowering the temperature of the room to the level she preferred. It was a small, familiar gesture, done without thought after having grown accustomed to her habits.

He then checked the time before looking at Veronica. "Why don’t you stay over too? I think I saw an extra mattress in the cupboard."

Veronica instantly shook her head. "No, it’s okay. I actually have some documents to sort out back home, so I’d rather be diligent for a few hours before going to bed."

Kyle hummed. "Are you sure?"

Veronica nodded without a moment’s hesitation. She didn’t want to impose on him any more than she already had.

"Then let me at least see you off. Come." He picked up her jacket and opened the door.

Veronica wanted to tell him it wasn’t necessary, but when she met his eyes, the words failed to come. She couldn’t bring herself to resist him either.

She slowly stepped outside, with Kyle following close behind.

As they descended the stairs, Veronica said, "I had a lot of fun. People say a spa and skin treatment are the ultimate ways to unwind, but I think this worked better than anything."

Kyle encouraged her. "Once in a while, we can come back here. I mean, I’m mostly free unless there’s an emergency that needs my attention. Just let me know a day beforehand, and I’ll be waiting here."

Veronica hummed before saying, "But Amanda is surely going to get much busier now that she’s finally shown the potential for growth. Not to mention how eager she is to become a better fighter and take on greater challenges."

Kyle shrugged. "Then that’s fine. Just the two of us can come here and spend some time together."

Veronica paused and turned toward him, her eyes widening with innocent uncertainty. "Won’t Amanda mind that? I mean..."

Kyle let out a quiet sigh and stepped closer. Resting his hands gently on her shoulders, he muttered, "I’m not cheating on Amanda if I’m with you, Veronica. Don’t think of yourself as someone coming between us, because you’re already a part of our family. Do you understand?"

Veronica’s cheeks flushed, and her heart fluttered as she immediately understood the implication behind his words.

The fact that Kyle had said it without the slightest hesitation only made it clearer. He had already considered the matter, reached his own conclusion, and accepted it without reservation.

A moment later, she asked softly, "Would you mind hugging me, then?"

Kyle answered without words. He pulled her deeply into his arms, enveloping her in his warmth and allowing her to simply rest against him.

Surrounded by his familiar fragrance, Veronica closed her eyes and finally allowed the tension in her heart to settle into peace.

Kyle gently rubbed her back and said, "There aren’t many people I can call mine. And those who are... I won’t ever let them go. Remember that."

"Mm."

°°°

A/N:- Thanks for reading. Leave a comment.