Only Mine (Honey Mountain #5)(39)

I turned back to his cousin and cleared my throat before mimicking her gift of song. “Hello, Miranda. Hello, Miranda. I am well. I am well.”

Wolf’s reaction was more shocking than mine. His head fell back, and he barked out a laugh. A real laugh. “Goddamn, Minx. You just might be the least predictable person I’ve ever met.”

Everyone laughed. Seb and Sabine smiled at one another, and Z clapped as if he’d just watched an award-winning show. Natalie was watching her son as if seeing him laugh was not the norm, and her eyes watered before she quickly blinked and turned away.

“Can we please eat? I’m starving,” Duke asked, and Natalie chuckled before calling out to Gweny, informing her that we were ready to go to the table. I wasn’t sure why we needed it to be announced when we could just walk to the dining room table on our own—but hey, this wasn’t pasta night at my dad’s with all the guys from the firehouse.

This was champagne on silver platters with a staff that hustled around as we entered the dining room. The woodwork on the walls was gorgeous with thick crown molding at the ceiling, and the table had enough seating for at least twenty people.

I paused beside Wolf, and he pulled out a chair for me, just as Seb hustled over and sat in the chair on the other side of me.

Wolf leaned close to my ear. “Are you packing your weapon tonight?”

His lips grazed the skin of my earlobe, and chill bumps spread across my skin. His breath tickled against my cheek, and I squeezed my thighs together to calm my lady bits the hell down.

“It’s in my purse,” I whispered as I turned to face him, not hiding my confusion.

“Well, there are two knives on the table beside your plate; feel free to use them on my brother if he tries anything,” he said, before sitting down in the chair beside me.

“I can hear you, dickhead.” Sebastian barked out a laugh, and everyone else took their seats. Duke sat at the head of the table, and his wife took the seat beside him. Sabine, Z, and Miranda all sat across from us.

“Good. Protect your family jewels because she isn’t afraid to use it.” Wolf reached for his champagne and took a sip.

“Still trying to figure out why you’re so territorial about me and our new chief legal.” Seb smirked.

“It’s a work thing, and it’s inappropriate.” Wolf stared at his brother.

I glanced across the table to see Z pushing to his feet.

“Excuse me. I’d like to say something before we eat.”

“This ought to be good,” Sebastian whispered.

Sabine was looking up at Z like he was a freaking rock star. “Say what you need to say, baby.”

“Thank you, love.” Z took his time, scanning each of us, and I tried not to chuckle at how awkward it was. Duke looked thoroughly annoyed, Natalie appeared uncomfortable, Sebastian was unable to contain his excitement, and I looked over at Wolf.

He was not pleased as he leaned back in his chair when his plate was set down in front of him. There were two people carrying out plates with dinner salads, and I quickly realized this was not a family-style dinner. This was fine dining. And I was here for it because I hadn’t had a decent meal in several days.

“I just wanted to say thank you for inviting me into your home. I will not be dining with you all as I am fasting at the moment. Cleansing. Rejuvenating. So please, enjoy your meal, and I will enjoy the conversation.”

“Did he say he’s not eating?” Duke asked Natalie, loud enough that everyone laughed. “We can still eat, right?”

“He’s cleansing. He’s rejuvenating. And his name is Z. Z is for zebra.” Miranda sang in a high enough pitch to make my eyes go wide.

“For fuck’s sake,” Wolf grumbled under his breath before picking up his fork and diving into the medley of lettuce and colorful veggies.

“So, Z, tell me about your name. Why a letter?” Sebastian asked, and everyone started eating.

“I don’t believe in labels. Names are just a form of a label. You would make judgments about me pending my name.” He smiled, and his long, dirty-blonde hair fell in his face. He was tall and lanky and looked like he’d been fasting for a while if I was being honest. He and Sabine were definitely physically very different, as she was dressed to the nines in Chanel with Valentino stilettos. Trust me, I knew fashion, and Wolf’s sister looked like she’d stepped off the runway. Z wore a black tee, distressed jeans, and military boots.

“And you don’t think we’re making judgments based on the fact that you changed your name to a letter?” Wolf asked before forking a slice of cucumber and popping it into his mouth.

Sebastian laughed at the comment, and Sabine gave her brother a warning look.

“Well, it’s human nature to judge, right? So, I do my best to limit the opportunities. It’s the way I live my life. The reason I chose my profession.”

“What is it that you do for a living?” Natalie asked, and her smile was warm and genuine.

“I’m a spirit lifter,” he said.

“You’re a what?” Duke dropped his fork on his plate and stared at Z.

“I do my part to make the world a better place. I refuse to manufacture, distribute, or sell any goods or products to contribute to the capitalistic system and the destruction of society.”

“This is fucking awesome,” Sebastian whispered under his breath.