"...and somehow he still finds new ways to test my patience."
Elias couldn't help laughing quietly, quickly covering his mouth before either of them accidentally earned a glare from the man on the other side of the door.
The sound of retreating footsteps gradually faded until the corridor outside became quiet once more.
Kade remained where he was for another moment, listening carefully to make sure Marcus and Elias had truly gone.
Only then did he let out a slow breath.
"They've finally left," he murmured, shaking his head with quiet amusement.
Dakota, who had been pretending to sleep all along, cracked one eye open before smiling triumphantly.
"I told you to ignore them."
"You were the one pretending not to hear."
"I was asleep."
He raised an eyebrow.
"Were you?"
"Mmm..."
She nodded with complete confidence before snuggling even closer, clearly intending to prove her point by drifting back to sleep.
