"I happened to make a bit too much spaghetti-why don''t you have someter? Just sit and rx, dinner''s almost ready," yton called out as he disappeared back into the kitchen.

He didn''t act anything like a billionaire CEO-honestly, he reminded Tarquin more of a sweet grandpa who spent his days baking cookies for his grandkids than some kind of tycoon. There was no pretense, just warmth and kindness.

Tarquin felt a wave offort wash over him. He loved Elysia, and by extension, he cared deeply for her parents, yton and Pam. The feeling was mutual; yton and Pam loved him because he loved their daughter. It was the kind of genuine, wholehearted affection that made everything feel especially cozy.

Tarquin''s own parents, Kendrick and Elizabeth Gonzalez, had passed away when he was young. It had been so long since he''d really felt the love of a mom or dad. Watching yton and Pam now, his heart felt full in a way he hadn''t

experienced for years.

"Why are you two still up thiste?" Elysia grinned, nudging her mother.

"We tried to sneak in after getting home," sheughed, "didn''t want to wake Mom and Dad. But as soon as we walked into the living room, there was Dad-waiting right there on the couch."

"Wait, he knew we wereing back tonight?" Tarquin asked.

Elysia shook her head. "Nope. He just said he had a feeling. Thought tonight was the night we''d show up."

yton''s voice rang out from the kitchen, "I had a hunch this afternoon, so I prepped everything already knew you''d be hungry when you got in! That''s what you call a father''s intuition, right? My daughter and I are just on the same wavelength!" He chuckled, and Elysia''s smile got even brighter, her whole face practically glowing with happiness.

Seeing her in such a good mood made Tarquin happy too.

He kissed Baby on the forehead and set her down. "Elysia, why don''t you hang

out with your mom and the kids? I''ll go help Dad in the kitchen."

He shrugged off his jacket and rolled up his sleeves, heading for the kitchen, only to be promptly shooed out by yton.

"Absolutely not! You go rx! I''ve got this under control."

"Dad, really, I''m not tired-"

"Doesn''t matter. Go put your feet up. Don''t steal my thunder tonight I''m head chef." yton insisted.

Elysia came over, smiling. "You might as well give up. Dad wouldn''t even let me or Emmett help."

yton waved at them. "Go on, all of you! Sit, rx, let me handle dinner."

get

Seeing there was no point arguing, Tarquin relented. "Alright, you stay with into the study Mom. I''ll just pop

to deal with something rear quick.

〃

"Okay, go ahead. We''ll call you when dinner''s ready," Elysia replied.

Tarquin headed upstairs to the study, calling for Elliot and Elijah to join him. As soon as the door closed, he whispered, "I need a favor help me hack into Benjamin Hospital''s security system

"I''m on it," Elijah said immediately, not even asking questions. He slid into the chair and started typing furiously.

In no time, Elijah turned and grinned. "We''re in!"

Tarquin was impressed his son had really leveled up during their month in the mountains.

He leaned over the screen. "Pull up the sample room in Building A. Check the security footage."

Elijah tapped away. "This one?"

Tarquin nodded. "Yep, that''s it."

He knew the ce well-they''d stolen a virus sample from that very room before heading into the mountains.

"Why are we watching this, Dad?" Elliot asked, curiosity piqued.

Tarquin narrowed his eyes, ncing at the clock. He was just about to answer when the security footage flickered a shadowy figure slipped into the sample room, heading straight for the medicine cab at the back.

15.