Code Name Shadow

Chapter 10

Opening my door and slowly leaving my room, I hear the voices in the kitchen stop. Keeping the pencil tucked into my hand to try to hide it as much as I can, I walk toward the kitchen where I see Cody and...Cohen. Right. I forgot he and Damien kept watch last night.

Feeling slightly embarrassed that I thought it could be an intruder, I flash them a small smile before walking to the counter and sitting down on one of the stools. As I sit down, I see Cody's eyes flash down to my hand before a huge grin appears on his face.

"Whatcha doin' with that pencil, Bri?"

I blush and feel my heart rate pick up at my nickname that he's used for the first time. God, I hate that he has this much of an effect on me. "Nothing. Just good to have. Very useful tool."

"Really?" he replies. "You sure it isn't some self-defense weapon?" I can tell how hard he's trying to hold back a laugh. He's not succeeding very well.

"Ha ha, you're hilarious. But you know what? This pencil could do some serious damage if I wanted it to."

He doesn't even try to hold back his laugh this time. "Okay tough guy, I'd love to see that sometime."

Rolling my eyes, I gesture to the plate full of pancakes in front of me. "Any of these for me?" I change the subject. Cohen turns around from where he's flipping pancakes on the stove, a spatula in hand.

"Blueberry or chocolate chip?" he asks.

"Hmmm, how about one of each?" I respond. Pancakes have always been my favorite breakfast food, and I will eat any flavor that's offered to me.

Using the spatula, he scoops me up two pancakes and puts them on my plate before turning and grabbing butter and syrup for me as well. I eagerly take a bite, and oh my god these pancakes are amazing. I would never tell Beckett of course, but these honestly might be even better than his.

I hum in contentment. "These are amazing." I tell Cohen, who smiles back at me and shrugs his shoulders.

"it's the least I could do, really, considering I'd bet a large amount of money I was the reason for the...weapon...you felt was necessary this morning."

Embarrassed, I shake my head and look down at my plate. "Yeah, sorry about that. Guess I didn't recognize your voice considering I only met you once at the party and I tend to get nervous around new people sometimes." I answer honestly.

"No need to apologize, I'm just glad you figured out who I was before you got the chance to come after me." he jokes. I let out a genuine laugh at that, surprised and relieved at how easy-going he is and how comfortable I already feel around him.

I chat and joke around with Cohen while I finish the rest of my breakfast. I feel so much more relaxed than I did last night, and I'm incredibly grateful for my brother's two friends who I know had everything to do with it.

I hadn't even noticed Cody left the kitchen, but my gaze is pulled to the front door when I see him and the tallest man I've ever seen walking through it, who I now recognize as Damien. He's incredibly intimidating, and without even realizing it I sink further into my chair as they come closer.

Cohen notices my reaction and follows my gaze to the source of my discomfort. There's a soft smile on his face as he turns back to me. "Don't worry about him. He may look scary, but deep down, the dude is really a giant teddy bear."

I smile back at him, grateful for his words whether or not they resonate. It's at that moment Cody walks back into the kitchen, Damien following closely behind him.

"Brielle, you remember Damien. I think the two of you met at the party."

Our eyes lock, Damien's jet-black ones piercing deep into my soul. Gulping down my fear, I nod. "Of course. It's nice to see you again, though I wish it were under different circumstances." I look between him and Cohen, who's still sitting next to me. "Thank you both for keeping watch last night, you really didn't have to."