Page 56 of Viper

She swatted her brother then fell back in her seat next to Troy. He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her into his side with a big smile on his face.

As happy as she was, she wished they’d done this sooner.

Turned out her brother was less of an ass than either of them had thought.

“One short walk and we’ll be back before dark. Promise.” Paige drew an X over her heart, her lips pulled into a sultry pout.

How the hell was he supposed to say no to that?

The guys had just left, and he and Paige stood in the kitchen. Havoc had promised to continue checking the cell towers throughout the night. He was also running scans of surveillance footage in the area. Facial recognition was a beautiful thing, but so far they’d come up empty. Wherever Craig was, he was good at lying low. Until they had activity from his device or he stepped in front of a street cam, there was no way to trace him.

“Is that a yes?” Paige said tauntingly. She gripped his hand and swung it side to side, waiting for him to cave.

“Aren’t you tired? You seemed ready to drop at the table.”

She shrugged. “I got a second wind. You all made me laugh too hard.”

He grunted. The town was busy enough, and it wasn’t as if they’d stop at any restaurants or go to remote areas. If his woman wanted a walk, she got a walk.

His woman.

He’d have to get used to that. The idea of wearing her on his arm, spending time with her, hell, maybe even moving in together—damn, it just felt right.

Everything about Paige felt right.

“Fine. One short walk on the beach and no margaritas.”

She pretended to gag. “Ugh. You couldn’t pay me.” She turned for the apartment door, then spun on her heel to face him. “Do you really think it’s safe? I mean, I don’t want to do anything you think’s stupid.”

He dragged his knuckles down the smooth contour of her bicep. “We’ll be careful. I know how to watch for a tail. The police have issued a wanted notice, so his face is circulating on social media.”

She grimaced. “That didn’t stop him from sneaking into the restaurant and dressing up as a server.”

“No, but he was fast. Would’ve taken him one minute to drop that in your drink and hide near the restrooms.” He gave her a reassuring smile. “A walk on the beach will be good for both of us.”

She brightened. “Okay, good. I miss the ocean already.”

They made their way out of the apartment and rode the elevator down. He grasped her hand as they exited the building and ensured he was closest to the road as they walked. People milled inside and outside shops and restaurants. Kids with ice cream danced on the sidewalk, the cold treat dripping in the evening heat.

“That looks messy,” Paige said with a chuckle.

A little girl no more than four darted in front of them, nearly making him trip.

“Darcy!” the girl’s mother called. She mouthed an apology to them and then caught the kid’s hand, leading her out of pedestrian traffic.

Paige giggled. “I’ve got a feeling bedtime’s going to be tough with that one.”

“That or she’ll pass out the minute they get home.”

She grinned and threaded her arm through his. An image of Paige as a mom, wrangling a couple of kids and with a swollen belly, brought a smile to his face.

He’d known Paige a long time, but he’d never asked her where she saw herself in the future. “Do you want kids?” he asked.

She looked up at him in surprise, her eyelashes fluttering. “Yes. I’ve always wanted kids. One day. What about you?”

He averted his gaze to a pack of teenagers crossing the street. “Yeah, I do. I’m getting old, though.”

“Oh my gosh,” she said with a laugh, bumping into his side. “How old are you?”