Bleh.
He’d never agree to a divorce.
I’d be Mrs. Prick Maddox until the end of goddamn time.
I crack my neck. A trick Connor and Ollie taught me when they’re about to go toe-to-toe, pro wrestling style.
Then I circle back to question number one.
“Who put the notes in my suitcase, Pierce?”
He jerks his face to the side, jaw clenched. Like he’s done talking.
I lean in, lowering my voice. “Do you know what they do to men who wax their balls in prison?”
He breaks instantly. “Okay. Okay.” His voice wobbles. “My sister helped with the notes.”
I go still. “You have a sister?”
Because up until this exact moment, I thought he was an only child.
“Technically, she’s my annoying half sister,” he says, like that clears everything up. “You know.”
I stare at him. Blank. “No. I don’t know. Who’s your sister?”
He blows out a long, exhausted breath.
And my close-knit world caves in.
“Kali,” he says. “Your PA.”
CHAPTER 53
Ava
For a long while, Harrison and I just walk along the harbor. No destination. Just us.
I feel wrung out. Betrayed. Used by people who were supposed to be protecting me.
“I’m sorry I’m not very good company,” I say finally.
He tightens his hold until our steps fall in sync. “You were deceived by people you should’ve been able to trust.”
I poke him in the ribs. “You’re not off the hook, mister.” I look up at him, smiling softly. “You and Gabe kept some notes from me.”
He lets out a long breath, then kisses the top of my head. “You’re right.”
I don’t let it go. Not with good cop, bad cop still buzzing through my system.
“Whose idea was it?” I press. I’m almost positive it was Gabe’s.
But the two of them are SEAL brothers.
Ride or die.
And I love that they’re so close.
“You’ll have to torture it out of me,” he murmurs. “With your tongue.”
