Rehab for SuperVillains (18+)-Chapter 160: We were just

"Nothing!" Rhea snapped, her amber eyes flashing, her voice rising as she leaped to her feet. "How’s this our fault? You got any clue what went down out there? She ruined it!"

"It wasn’t a mission—it was a one-woman show!" Freya cut in, her blue eyes flashing, her cape swirling as she stepped forward, her voice sharp. "Lila took out Vulpes, his goons, and his bodyguards before we even got out of the car! We were just... her damn chauffeurs!"

Kael’s hand slammed against his forehead, a loud slap echoing, his hazel eyes closing as he groaned.

"I told Lila to stay back, observe, help if needed. If she went full rogue to hurry back here then, it’s ’cause she was scared for Tila—and that’s on you two. What did you tell her?"

Rhea’s gaze darted away, her voice defensive, her arms crossing tighter. "Nothing, okay? Just... stuff."

Freya sighed, her blue eyes dropping, her voice low, reluctant.

"I told her the truth," she admitted, glancing sideways, her platinum-cyan hair catching the light.

"Same," Rhea mumbled, feigning innocence, her eyes avoiding Kael’s, her sulk returning as she kicked the couch again. "Stupid mission..."

Kael’s groan deepened, his hand dragging down his face, his eyes glinting with exasperation.

He knew exactly what "truth" they’d spun—some twisted, exaggerated tale of his methods, warped to freak Lila out.

"Let me guess," he said, his voice dry, turning to Lila. "They painted me as some kind of sexual predator, didn’t they? Look, Lila, Tila’s fine—safe as can be. If I was half the creep they probably made me out to be, you think Freya and Rhea would be out here in those suits without their collars? Nah, they’d be in my bedroom, dressed in skimpy maid outfits, calling me ’Master’ and polishing my boots and warming my bed." His grin returned, teasing, his eyes twinkling as he leaned toward her, trying to lighten the mood.

Freya’s lips twitched, her eyes glinting with mischief as she leaned closer, her voice dropping to a sultry purr.

"Whole day free now, Kael. Maybe I could slip into something... maid-y. You know, for team morale." Her cape fluttered, her grin wicked.

Rhea’s sulk vanished, her amber eyes sparkling, her grin turning devilish as she struck a pose, her orange suit flaring. "Oh, you’re dropping fetish hints now, Kael? I’m in, Master," she teased, her voice dripping with mock seduction, drawing out the word with a playful growl. "Gimme a frilly apron, and I’ll wipe, lick everything clean."

Kael laughed, waving them off, his hazel eyes rolling. "Cut it out, you two, before I regret opening my mouth." He pointed toward their rooms, his grin firm. "Go shower, both of you. Freya, you’re back early, so you’re on kitchen duty with me for lunch."

He turned to Lila, his grin softening, his voice warm. "You’re eating with us at the table, Lila. No hiding in your room."

Lila nodded, a small smile breaking through, her glasses catching the light, her shame easing.

Despite her suspicions, Kael hadn’t taken her distrust personally.

His openness, his easy forgiveness, chipped away at her doubts.

Maybe she’d been right to bring Tila here.

Maybe Kael was exactly what her sister needed.

Right?

____________________

The kitchen hummed with warmth, the air thick with the savory aroma of Freya’s lunch—herbed chicken, roasted vegetables, and fluffy mashed potatoes, each dish crafted with her usual flair.

But the star was dessert, a chocolate pudding that filled the walls with a mouthwatering scent, rich and velvety, like molten cocoa laced with hints of vanilla and a whisper of caramelized sugar.

Rhea had been relentless about it, pestering Kael to get Lila to make her prized chocolate pudding.

"Come on, Kael, tell her to whip it up! My taste buds are begging! She ruined the mission, at least tell her to do this." she’d whined, her eyes gleaming, her crimson hair bouncing as she trailed him around the Haven.

When Kael finally asked, Lila agreed, but with a condition, her voice firm behind her glasses, her black curly hair tied back. "I’ll do it, but I get the kitchen to myself. It’s my recipe, and I’m not sharing the secret." Her pride in the pudding was palpable, her power-suppressing collar glinting as she staked her claim.

Freya, finished with her cooking duties—chopping, seasoning, and roasting—ceded the kitchen.

She and Rhea, now showered and back in their casual clothes—Rhea in her white tank top and black pants, and Freya in her cyan t-shirt and navy blue pants—lounged in the living room, the TV droning with a cheesy action flick while Lila worked her magic.

The pudding’s scent teased them from afar, Rhea fidgeting like a kid waiting for Christmas, until Lila finally emerged, a tray of glistening chocolate pudding cups in hand, her gown swishing, her glasses fogging slightly from the kitchen’s heat.

Now,

The four sat at the Haven’s worn dining table, the dishes steaming before them.

Freya sat to Kael’s left, her platinum-cyan hair loose, her sapphire necklace catching the light, her eyes calm but distant.

Lila sat to Kael’s right, her loose gown pooling around her, her hands folded nervously, the collar gleamed dull.

Rhea sprawled across from them, alone on her side, her crimson hair fanned out, her eyes locked on her plate as she shoveled food with gusto, her white tank top stretching over her shoulders.

They ate in near silence, Rhea’s enthusiasm for the meal obvious in her quick bites, her cheeks puffing out like a chipmunk’s.

When dessert arrived—Lila’s pudding, served in small glass cups, its surface glossy, its scent a warm cocoa hug—Rhea’s eyes lit up, her fork diving in before anyone else.

The pudding was divine, its creamy texture melting on the tongue, the chocolate rich but not cloying, a perfect balance of sweet and bitter that left everyone craving more.

Kael took a bite, his eyes brightening, his grin wide. "Lila, this pudding’s a damn miracle. Nice work."

Lila’s cheeks flushed, her glasses slipping slightly as she smiled. "Thank you," she said softly, her voice warm with pride.

Freya nodded, her eyes softening as she savored a spoonful. "It’s really good, Lila," she said, her tone genuine, though her gaze flicked away, still guarded.

Rhea, her mouth full, didn’t speak, her amber eyes gleaming as she scraped her cup clean. She held it out, her voice blunt. "Gimme another."

Kael chuckled, leaning back, his t-shirt creasing. "That’s Rhea’s way of saying your pudding’s a masterpiece, Lila. She won’t stop until another dozen of those." The table shared a low, easy laugh, the tension easing for a moment, even Freya’s lips twitching upward.

Freya set her spoon down, her blue eyes narrowing slightly, her voice cutting through the quiet after a pause. "Next time, Kael, give us a harder mission if Lila’s tagging along. I don’t want to just go and look like a fool."

Kael nodded, his eyes flicking to Lila, then back to Freya. "Can’t push too far unless Lila’s officially registered with REAPER. We’ll need to wait till she’s locked in, only then will we be eligible for harder missions."

Lila and Kael exchanged a glance, a silent nod to their deal—her temporary role tied to Tila’s rehab.

Lila’s glasses caught the light, her expression unreadable, but her small smile hinted at her growing trust.

Rhea leaned forward, her eyes flashing with competitive fire, her crimson hair spilling over her shoulder. "Next mission, I’m overtaking Lila. I’ll wrap it up before she even hits the scene. Watch me."

Kael sighed, his grin wry. "It’s not a race, Rhea. Teamwork, remember?"

Freya’s lips curved, her voice cool but edged. "I don’t care who finishes first, as long as the mission’s a win and it boosts REAPER’s rep."

Her words were diplomatic, but Kael caught her clenched fist under the table, her knuckles white, betraying her own competitive streak, her blue eyes glinting with a challenge she wouldn’t voice.

Tring tring.

Kael’s phone buzzed on the table, shattering the moment. Rhea’s eyes snapped to it, her voice curious. "Who’s that?"

Freya’s eyes flicked to Kael, her expression unreadable, her platinum-cyan hair shifting as she leaned slightly forward.

Kael picked up the phone, his hazel eyes narrowing at the screen.

"Liss"

Lighting Lass