Page 129 of Rising Heat

See you soon.

I lock the phone and drop it to my thigh.

“She’s coming,” I say.

Coop makes a sound between a laugh and a choke.

“No fricken way.”

Trick shakes his head.

“You’re in deep shit now.”

Marco doesn’t sound particularly concerned.

“Where’s Mack?” I ask, trying to sound casual about it.

Marco glances toward Cap’s office.

“Paperwork with Cap,” he checks the clock. “Looks like it could be a while.”

Perfect.

The thought lands before I can pretend I didn’t have it.

Sorry, big bro.

“Right,” I say, pushing to my feet. “I’m gonna⁠—”

“Yeah,” Coop cuts in. “We know exactly what you’re gonna do.”

I shoot him an irritated look that just makes him grin wider.

“You don’t know anything.”

“Mhmm.”

I pull my keys out of my pocket.

“I’m just gonna grab her some dinner.”

“How noble of you.”

“She’s hungry.”

Trick snorts.

“That’s what we’re calling it these days?”

I ignore him.

For half a second I think about shooting Mack a text to give him the heads up. My thumb hovers over my phone.

Then again, it’s not like he can do anything about it. Twenty minutes won’t kill anybody.

“Relax,” I say. “We’ll keep it…professional.”

Coop barks out a laugh.