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"Because this is your skill set," Vidar said. "I did the math. Magnus made the decision. You're the one who carries out the sentence."

"Nobody's killing him," Magnus cut in. "He needs to understand that stealing from us was a poor fucking career choice. Go explain it to him."

"You realize I'm a newlywed."

"So am I," Vidar said.

"Me too," said Magnus.

"Vidar was the first to get mated. Since he's had the most time with Addie, he should take care of it."

"I'm not gonna go over there and punch him in the face," said Vidar.

"Go on your computer and close his accounts or something."

"You're closer. And Addie and I are… in the middle of something."

"I'm not leaving Rosalind."

There was a pause. As though both mine and Vidar's head swiveled to look at Magnus through the phone line.

"I'm not leaving Nell."

Silence.

Three newly mated Blackwood brothers.

Three wives at home.

Not one of us willing to put on pants.

"We're fucking pathetic," Magnus chuckled. "All three of us are pussy whipped."

"Speak for yourself," growled Vidar, just as a feminine voice carried over the line.

Magnus made an impatient sound. "Why are we arguing about this?"

"Because Gunnar won't do his job."

"Fuck you, Vidar."

"We're all newly mated," said Magnus. "And we employ an entire pack of intelligent men and women who are perfectly capable of dealing with this. I say we delegate it to one of them."

"Did Nell tell you to do that?" said Vidar.

"My mate is a smart woman."

"Not smarter than Addie."

"She was Addie's boss."

The two bickered back and forth, but I had lost interest in the conversation.

"So delegate," I said. "We'll check back in the morning."

"The afternoon," said Vidar. "I have a feeling I'll be sleeping in."

"Fine," Magnus said.