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Yeah. The man from last winter—he’d visited with his partner Gray, someone I’d actually talked to recently. River and Reese had assisted Darius in Las Vegas with something I only knew the gist of. But I’d seen the news. The whole operation had been high-risk. Something about taking down a human trafficking ring.

“When Reese and I left the firm, we joked about him,” he said. “We said, if Quinn can retire, so can we. And then we added, but if he can’t, nobody can.”

I lifted my brows.

He let out a quiet chuckle. “Don’t worry, we’re retired. But so was he when he got dragged into that mess from last year.” He paused. “There’s always the risk of a former coworker needing assistance.”

Ah. In other words, that might happen again…?

I cleared my throat, curious. “So if you and Reese were called away at some point in the future, could I maybe⁠—”

“Absolutely fucking not.”

I scowled at him. “You don’t know what I was going to ask.”

“I know exactly what you were gonna ask.” He leaned forward and stole a smooch. “We’re not riskin’ the most important person in our lives, Shay. End of discussion.”

I huffed. It was damn difficult to be pissy when he got all romantic like that, but I could be useful!

“I bet you’d love it if I spent my life working in a store or some factory⁠—”

“I would actually like that very much,” he said firmly.

I rolled my eyes.

He sighed and tugged me closer to him. “Believe it or not, I want you to be happy. You’ll find somethin’.”

I hoped so.

I fell against his side and closed my eyes. Everything didn’t feel 100% awesome yet, but I had faith that they’d get me there. Reese had a plan, was it? Either way, I was tired after our fight. Anger was exhausting. Plus… I’m a Tenley junkie. I could legit miss them after an hour or two sometimes.

“I hate it when you’re upset,” he whispered against the top of my head. “I hate it even more when we’re the reason.”

I inhaled deeply and shook my head, letting all the comfort wash over me. “You’ve upset me once in a year. That’s a good track record.”

He hummed. “We’ve argued more than once.”

That was different. I inched back so I could look him in the eye. “Bitch fights are nothing—and don’t say we fight a lot.”

“I know, but…” He touched my cheek. “You’re right. Fights happen. But this time, we hurt you.”

“And you’re already undoing it,” I countered. “Don’t beat yourself up. You’re supposed to beat me.”

He wasn’t ready for the comic relief either. He just hugged me to him again.

I was okay with that.

“I’m really sorry.” He kissed the side of my head. “We’ll make this right. Starting right now.”

First of all, he’d already started. Second of all— “Hey, where are you going?” I thought we could make out and feel each other up.

“Home.” He slid off the bed and extended a hand to me. “It’s time to put all cards on the table.”

I swallowed and let him drag me off the bed.

All cards on the table… That sounded almost ominous.

The walk back to the house was fueled by way less animosity. I was, if anything, a little nervous. And I had to stay real close to River. I needed my hand in his. He held Romeo’s leash.