Page 2 of Rise of the Queen

“Is that even a cookie?” Misha asked.

“It’s why it’s perfect. Is Ivan even a real person?” Stephen asked, laughing. It just so happened that Ivan and Adrik walked back into the kitchen right when he said that which caused more laughter from everyone. Stephen apologized when he saw Ivan.

“Don’t apologize. I ask myself that question almost daily,” Ivan said, laughing with us. “What on earth are you guys discussing?”

“We’ve been debating what everyone’s favorite cookie is and what it says about them,” Andrei said, laughing loudly when he saw the look on Ivan’s and Adrik’s faces. “It’s actually pretty enlightening,” he said, defending our debate. Adrik just laughed, shaking his head.

He walked to me, wrapping his arms around my waist as he stood behind me. I had my hands full, so he rested his chin on my shoulder, watching what I was doing, happy to be near me. “I love you and your randomness,” he said, still chuckling.

“Bubba wasn’t lying. It’s been very enlightening,” I said, still laughing.

“What’s your favorite cookie, Ivan?” Misha asked.

“I don’t really like cookies that much. Or any kind of sweets. I never had it as a kid, so I don’t think I ever developed a taste for sweet things. But I’ll eat an entire package of biscotti if it’s in front of me,” he said, smiling.

“You heard them say that, didn’t you?” Andrei and Misha both said at the same time.

“Heard who say what?” Ivan asked.

“Stephen and Sephie said that was your favorite cookie before you two came back to the kitchen. That’s when I asked if it was even a cookie, and Stephen asked if you were actually a real person,” Misha said, now even more amused with the conversation than he was before.

“I enjoy the fuckery as much as you do, Misha, but I did not hear them this time. I just heard Stephen ask if I was real. Still undecided, for the record,” Ivan said.

Adrik had moved to lean against the counter beside me, his arms folded across his chest. He was watching everyone, laughing at our silliness, enjoying a moment of peace before what we all knew was coming.

“Okay, what about Boss? Who can guess his favorite?” Misha asked. He was not going to let this conversation die yet and I loved him for it.

I glanced at Adrik, searching his eyes for a moment to find the answer. I smiled when I found it.

“Nope. Nope. Sephie’s not allowed to answer. She’s cheating. Andrei can’t answer either. They have a clear advantage,” Misha said.

“You’re very bossy when it comes to cookies, my adorable Russian guardian.”

I watched Ivan and Viktor look at each other, then Viktor said, “It’s probably exactly the same one as Sephie. Maybe with a flavor twist, but he probably likes it because he knew as a five-year-old that it was her favorite so he made it his too.”

I couldn’t contain my laughter. Neither could Adrik. “What’s her favorite, then?” Adrik asked.

“Lemon sugar cookie,” Misha said. “Was Viktor right?”

Adrik laughed. “He was. He was also right about the flavor twist. I like orange better. And they have been my favorite since I was five. One of my father’s chefs used to make them for me regularly when he found out I liked them.”

“Why didn’t I think of that,” Misha said, shaking his head.

“If nothing else, we’re having the important conversations here. We’re changing the world right now, boys,” I said, laughing. I suspected my eyes would have turned green, so I looked at Adrik when I said it. I recognized the look on his face, so I closed my eyes briefly, trying to switch them back to normal.

“As much as I’ve enjoyed this conversation, I also want to know what old friends you have in Panama,” Viktor said, looking at Adrik.

“My father,” he said. “I just called him.”

“I thought he was in Europe?” Viktor asked.

“He was during the summer. He likes to migrate south for the winter,” Adrik said.

“So, his guys are going after Trino?” Stephen asked.

Adrik nodded his head. “I told him Trino would be there tonight, but he needed a day or two before they got him out, given the situation with his mom. He said he would send a team tonight to make sure Trino stayed safe, but they wouldn’t make contact for a couple days.”

“Does your father know Trino?” I asked, curious.