I laughed. “Sorry. Just paper.”
Riley slid closer to me. “So, Nora… who’s your favorite?”
I sputtered. “Favorite what?”
“Favorite Ranger,” she said innocently.
Trigger leaned forward, too interested.
Havoc paused in his demolition.
Saint straightened.
Wolf went utterly still.
I lifted my chin. “None of your business.”
Riley cackled. “Good answer.”
Wolf’s mouth twitched—almost a smile.
And that was the moment I knew I wasn’t scared of him anymore.
5
Wolf
Riley Tate was going to give me gray hair.
The morning after her “friendly visit,” I came downstairs to find Trigger sitting at the bar like his soul had left his body.
Elbows on the counter.
Head in his hands.
Staring at nothing.
Saint leaned against the wall, sipping coffee. “He’s been like that for ten minutes.”
Havoc tossed a muffin at Trigger. “Snap out of it, lover boy.”
The muffin hit Trigger in the shoulder. He didn’t react.
I sighed. “Someone explain.”
“Riley Tate,” Saint said, amused.
Trigger finally lifted his head. “She told me… and I quote… ‘Aim higher.’ Then she winked.”
Saint winced. “I’m so sorry.”
“I don’t even know what she meant,” Trigger said. “Aim higher at what? The ceiling? My standards? My cholesterol?”
Havoc snorted. “Your IQ.”
Trigger pointed dramatically. “YOU’RE NOT HELPING.”
I rubbed the back of my neck. “Forget Riley. We’ve got work to do.”
