He’s oddly excited and animated for someone who claims to be annoyed.
“You wiped the security footage, right?”
“Yes, of course.” He waves me off. “I’ve never seen him smile, not even in New York?—”
“Wait.” I scrunch my brows. “When did you see him in New York?”
“Surveillance.” His face twists, as if that’s obvious, as if he wasn’t supposed to be watching Aurora and Jax. He continues to ramble while opening a bag of dark-roasted beans. “But I swear on the Jedi Code, I saw his teeth sparkling in the pitch-black while he was breaking necks and taking names.”
He abandons the coffee and busts into a karate move, apparently mimicking Dante, and I glance around the room,wondering if I’m being pranked. Who is this person? What meds am I on?
My gaze gravitates to the miniature cups stacked on the espresso machine and lining the sink. “Exactly how many of those have you had?”
He dumps the bag into the hopper, the smell perking up my senses.
“Only five. They’re small.”
I release a long breath and pray for patience. “Why’d Aurora go to the beach house?”
“Probably because you’re an asshole.”
“Thanks,” I mumble before I chug the water.
“No joke. I’ve been through this with you. You’re a good dude. You’d take a bullet for anyone on the team—shit, for any random person walking the street—but you’re terrible at self-care. You’d smack any of us for acting the way you are.”
I crush the empty bottle in my hand to ease my frustration. “I’m fucking tired.”
He faces me, shoulders squared. “Then go to bed. Have an espresso. We’re all tired. I’m tired of people—period. I’d much rather be trailing perps than playing chauffeur and answering questions like I’m fucking Google.”
“Then get another agent to do it.”
He ignores me. “Aurorahasto be tired. She’s pregnant and taking care of your dumb ass, all while making sure we’re fed and not bored. She went through something traumatic too. She could be huddled in a corner crying, but she’s not. She’s staying busy.”
Agitation swarms in my chest. “Why do you think I’m miserable?”
He scoffs. “Feeling sorry for yourself won’t fix a damn thing.”
A beat of silence. I want to argue with him, but he’s not wrong. I have to push through this hell. Embrace the suck.
“Fine,” I huff. “What is she doing at the beach house?”
“Meeting a contractor and bringing our team pizza.”
“They can order their own pizza.”
“She’s beingnice. You remember what nice is, right? Besides, they’re cleaning the place up.”
Again, I’m struck with confusion. “Why?”
He holds my gaze. “Because Aurora is family to you.”
I’m at a loss for words, struggling to fight the guilt. Fuck, I need to get over there. I need to dosomething.
“And your sister already knows about Aurora. You didn’t think she’d demand to know the person you’re bringing to her wedding?”
A jolt of adrenaline courses through me, and my gut churns. “You told her?”
“Bennett, our commander, has had how many partners? Four? Five? Yet we welcome each one with jazz hands and pom-poms, because this job is lonely. Good for her for trying. I didn’t recognize it at first, but it’s clear you love Aurora, and we’re going to rally around you whether you like it or not. Fuck your parents if they can’t accept her…and Jax…and Ethan.” He throws his hands up and shrugs. “Y’all could be fantasizing about each other, but instead, you’re living it out. Who cares?”
