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“Oh dear God, you’re up before noon. I might pass out.”

“Funny,” I muttered. “I want your realtor friend to help me find a place for me and Sasha to live, somewhere safer than his place and a bit bigger, as I’d like people to be able to visit.”

“I’m sorry, what did you do with my cousin?”

“Also,” I went on, ignoring her, “I need to put my place on the market and––”

“No. Stone has an old friend from college who’s moving back to town and would love it. Stone already started looking for him. I’ll mention it to him at breakfast.”

“You’re not having breakfast?”

“No, I’m on my morning run in the park.”

“You’re running?”

“Yes.”

“You’re not panting.”

“I’m sorry. I run this every day, why would I be panting?”

“I would be panting, and I’m in much better shape than you.”

She scoffed. “Much better shape?”

“Fine, perhaps not,” I conceded.

“Also, I don’t get shot as much as you.”

“Very true.”

“So, cousin, why are you up so early?”

“I wanted to wake up before Sasha and make him breakfast in bed.”

“Awww, that’s the cutest thing ever.”

“It would have been, yes.”

Evil little cackle. “He’s a very traditional omega, made to see to your every need, not like our Avery.”

“I know. I love it, of course I do, but I want to take care of… him,” I said, looking outside, toward the street. “Huh. That’s weird.”

“What’s weird?”

“A black SUV with tinted windows just rolled up in front of my house.”

“And?”

“And it looks just like the one I was thrown into when I was shot.”

“Well, isn’t there a police car there? Ask the officers to check it out.”

“I don’t see one, and I’m not surprised. Everyone involved in the situation is in custody, except River, but my understanding is that he’s under surveillance.”

“Plus, the diary is now with the police, so why would he send anyone to threaten either you or Sasha?”

“Precisely,” I muttered. “So who is this?”