Page 22 of Finding Peace
And then—
Hooves.
The sound is unmistakable. Snow crunching. The low snort of horses pulled up close to the house rather than the barn.
My head snaps up.
Lincoln’s gaze shoots to the window at the same time Beau straightens, his body going alert. “That’s—” Beau starts.
The front door swings open before he can finish.
Cold air rushes in, sharp and clean, carrying the smell of winter, leather, and horses. Jasper and Lawson stride inside without hesitation, boots still on, jackets dusted with snow. I stretch my neck to look out the window to find Dez and Atlas tied to the porch railing right out front.
Beau raises a brow as he looks down at Jas and Law’s boots—the same ones that are now leaving small puddles on the hardwood floor.
Lawson points at him. “I’ll mop later. I promise.”
“What’s going on?” I ask quietly, setting my mug down as I sense their urgency.
Jasper stops in front of us, reaches into his jacket, and pulls out his phone. His expression is set, resolved. “We know who can help us find the Coates brothers,” he says.
“Who?” Linc asks.
Jasper doesn’t answer. He just unlocks his phone and lifts it to his ear.
“Hey, Joe Joe,” he says casually. “Yeah—I—Hey! Not that I don’t want to talk to you, but I need to talk to one of your boyfriends instead.” He pauses for a minute and rolls his eyes. “Preferably the one in charge or the computer genius, please.”
“Abigail.” Dante’s deep voice rumbles through the speakerphone. Despite Jasper only meaning to talk to Luca or Sebastian, every single one of them is clearly on the line. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
The question warms my chest. Because as much as I know the four men inthishouse would give their lives to keep me safe, it means something to know there are others in my corner too.
Five more someones, actually.
Even though they barely know me.
“I’m okay,” I answer honestly. “Shaken. Sore. But I’m safe now.”
“We can be on the next flight out if you need us,” Joe adds without hesitation.
“Let’s table that idea for now,” Jasper says quickly.
“Jasper—”
“Josephine, se tuo fratello dice che sta bene—”
I don’t understand a word Luca says, but I can practically hear Joe lifting her brows through the phone.“Oh, pensi di potermi comandare a bacchetta adesso?”
Luca lets out a low chuckle, followed by the unmistakable sound of a kiss through the speaker. Despite the gravity of the conversation, a laugh slips out of me before I can stop it as I watch Jasper’s face twist in disgust.
“Since when does she speak Italian?” Beau whispers in Lawson and Lincoln’s direction.
“I have no idea,” Linc responds in a hushed tone.
“Non ci penserei nemmeno, Vita Mia,”Luca murmurs.
Jasper groans, dragging a hand down his face. “Can you guys just—”
“Mama,” Dante cuts in sweetly. “You’re torturing your brother.”
