“No shit. However, I’m curious how you managed to trigger such a rapid response from the feds.”
I smile despite the pain. “Building trust, creating a network. When everything started falling apart, I had people ready to move.”
Declan whistles low. “Playing the long game while daddy dearest thought he had you cornered. Didn’t see that coming.”
“That was rather the point.” I shift, wincing at the pressure on my ribs. “Though I have to admit, having you three show up was a surprise. Remy never mentioned his connection to a team of special forces rejects.”
“Rejects?” Declan presses a hand to his chest in mock offense. “I’ll have you know we prefer the term ‘selectively unemployed badasses.’ And we are friends; we would have helped the moment we knew.”
“Is that what you call it? I thought you were just Remy’s personal collection of violent misfits.”
“Says the woman who just orchestrated the takedown of Chicago’s biggest trafficking ring.” His grin turns sharp. “Face it, Consoli—you fit right in with us deviants.”
“God help me,” I mutter, but I can’t hide my own smile. “Some people are really good at playing the long game. I just happened to be better at it this time.”
“So, the media circus,” Declan drawls, breaking our momentary silence. “That was a neat touch. Keeping the feds honest?” I trace the condensation on the window, watching Chicago’s lights blur past.
“More like insurance. The moment anything happens to that evidence, every major news outlet gets their own copy.”
“Paranoid much?”
“Try realistic.” I turn to face him.
“The moment you trust someone completely is the moment they can destroy you. So I made sure the truth would get out, one way or another.” Declan whistles low, shaking his head.
“Damn. No wonder you and Remy are perfect for each other. Both of you with your contingency plans and trust issues.”
I frown, studying his profile. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing.” His fingers drum against the steering wheel.
“Just… interesting parallels.”
“Don’t play coy, please.” He smirks but keeps his eyes on the road.
“Let’s just say I’ve known Remy for years, and I’ve never seen him this twisted up over anyone. The man practically went feral when Marcus mentioned your name during interrogation.”
“You’re deflecting.”
“And you’re fishing.” He shoots me a sideways glance.
“Though I have to admit, watching him lose his carefully maintained control was… educational.”
“Educational how?”
“The thing about Remy,” Declan’s voice takes on an edge, “is that he never loses control. Never shows his hand. But you?” He laughs darkly. “You’ve got him breaking his own rules, taking risks he’d never consider. It’s fascinating, really.”
“You make it sound like I’m some kind of experiment.”
“More like a force of nature.” His smile turns sharp. “The man who plans for every contingency, who never acts without calculating every angle, threw himself into Marcus’s trap because you were in danger.”
“I didn’t ask him to do that.”
“That’s exactly my point, sweetheart.” Declan’s voice carries a note of genuine amazement.
“He did it anyway. No plan, no backup, just blind fucking instinct to protect you. So unlike him to be at the forefront. Remy prefers the shadows, after all.”
The weight of his words settles in my chest, heavy and uncomfortable. I stare out the window, considering Declan’s words carefully.
