Page 59 of Cold Ignition

Alexios opened his eyes. Early light filtered through the narrow window, softening the space into muted gold and shadow.

Rangi was half sprawled across him, arm slung over his waist like it belonged there, which it had since the night they had met. Keanu lay on his other side, on his back, one arm tucked behind his head. Despite holding himself off a little, his hand still rested on Alexios’ arm.

He studied him.

The crease in his brow. The tightness in his jaw. The controlled rise and fall of his chest. He was so hot. There was something about Polynesian men that really worked for this Greek.

He shifted slightly. Pain answered—sharp in his ribs, dull through his shoulder. Manageable.

Rangi stirred, grip tightening briefly.

“Don’t move so fast,” he muttered. “You’re supposed to be resting.”

“I am.”

“That didn’t look like resting.”

“You were asleep.”

Rangi cracked an eye open. Then both. Memory clicked into place—and he grinned. Slow. Satisfied.

“Well, mōrena, my love.”

“Good morning to you, too, you insufferable jerk.”

“Yeah,” Rangi said easily. “But you love me.”

Alexios didn’t respond.

Keanu shifted. Subtle, but enough.

His eyes opened slower—like he had to push through thought before surfacing. He stilled when he registered them.

Not pulling away. Just ... still, and it was clear that he was processing everything. Alexios watched.

Keanu’s gaze moved to Rangi first—taking in the contact, the ease—then to him. No panic. No regret. Something quieter.

“Morning,” Rangi said, like this was normal.

Keanu exhaled. “Yeah, it is.”

Alexios shifted, drawing his attention. “Well?”

Keanu blinked. “Well, what?”

“You’re very quiet.”

“That’s new,” Rangi added.

Keanu shot him a look, then scrubbed a hand over his face. “I’m thinking.”

“What about?”

A beat.

“Last night.”

Rangi propped himself up slightly. “Yeah? And what are you coming up with?”