Page 37 of Home Again

“So, will I see you for meals if Sebastian is back?” Ophelia’s eyes twinkled.

“I gotta tell you, even Sebastian won’t be a big enough draw to outweigh Lazar’s creepy cronies.”

Ophelia threw back her head and laughed. “I really do like you, Gianna Prentiss.”

* * *

Sebastian pulled in to the side of the house and saw an old Chevy pickup. His breath hitched. Please God, say that Philly and Neil are back, because that’s the only saving grace to this clusterfuck.

He got out of his vehicle and opened the front door. It was past noon, so he was praying that the men were back at it in Lazar’s office. As soon as he stepped over the threshold he looked down the long hallway and saw Philly standing there. She put her finger to her lips and beckoned him toward the back of the house.

He made it to the kitchen almost before she did. When he bent down to give her a hug, she pushed against his chest and shook her head.

“No. Absolutely not. Let me look at you, sweet boy.”

His heart twisted when he saw the tears on her cheeks.

“Don’t cry,” he begged.

“And don’t you be telling me what to do or not to do.” She backed up another step and Sebastian did his best not to shift from foot to foot underneath her intense scrutiny. After a minute, her hands covered her mouth, and more tears fell.

“Philly, don’t cry. Please don’t cry,” he begged. “I’m sorry I didn’t call.”

She shook her head wildly. “That’s not it. Oh, honey, you’ve been hurt. You’ve taken on more scars.”

Sebastian had had enough. He swept her back into his arms. “Now stop. You need to stop, Philly.” He pressed her face to his chest. “Life’s really good now. I’m exactly where I’m meant to be. I’m serving my country. I’m working with the best men in the world.”

She continued to shudder, but then magic happened, as her arms crept around his waist and he was once again enveloped in a Philly hug.

“Oh, Sebastian. I’ve prayed for you every single day. Every single day, my sweet boy.”

He closed his eyes and wasn’t surprised when he felt wet on his cheeks.

“Then your prayers were answered, Philly. I’m healthy, whole, and happy.”

He heard her snort. Then she pressed against his chest so she could tilt her head up and look him in the eye. “So you’ve got a girl? When are you going to give me grandbabies?”

Sebastian shouted with laughter.

“I love you, Philly. I love you so damn much.”

* * *

That evening, Sebastian looked around the dining room table from his end of the table. He’d always hated this room. Lazar had insisted they eat in here and that Philly serve them, even when he had been eight years old, and it had just been the two of them. He looked around at all of the old men and grimaced. He was in hell. Philly was serving them again. Now that he was back, he needed to arrange for Philly and Neil to get new jobs.

“I expect you were out tying up those loose ends you told us about,” Lazar said from the head of the table. “Is that right, Bastian?”

“Something like that.” Sebastian inclined his head. He ignored the wine and drank from his water glass.

Lazar’s eyes narrowed.

“Armand, where is our lovely guest? I haven’t seen Miss Prentiss since I’ve been back. You haven’t run her off, have you?”

“I’m not the one you should be worried about running her off, Daddy. I think you should be looking at your golden boy.” Armand waved his hand toward Sebastian. Armand had his glass in his hand, and some wine spilled out and hit Archie’s sleeve.

“Goddammit boy, just how drunk are you?” Lazar yelled.

“I’m not drunk, Daddy, just feeling a little happy is all.”