By the time she appears in the doorway wearing one of my shirts and nothing else, coffee's ready.
"Morning." Her voice is still rough with sleep.
"Morning." I pour her a cup, passing it over. "Sleep okay?"
"Better than I have in weeks." She takes the coffee. "Your bed is ridiculously comfortable."
"Or you just needed to actually relax for once. Great sex will do that for you."
"Maybe." She sips her coffee, studying me over the rim. "What time do we need to leave for the interviews?"
"Couple of hours." I move closer, backing her against the counter. "Plenty of time."
"For what?"
I kiss her thoroughly, tasting coffee and morning. When I pull back, her eyes are dark. "Breakfast. Can't work on an empty stomach."
"Practical."
"Always." I step back before I forget about the interviews entirely. "Eggs okay?"
"Perfect."
We fall into rhythm—me cooking while she sets the table, conversation about the case, the suspects, what questions need answering.
Halfway through breakfast, my phone buzzes. Cole.
Cole: Heard Mira's at your place. Everything okay?
Me: Yeah. Long story. Tell you later.
Cole: As long as you're being smart about this.
Me: Always.
Mira glances up from her eggs. "Everything okay?"
"Cole checking in. Making sure I'm not fucking up."
"Are you?"
"With you? No." I hold her gaze. "Best decision I've made in years."
She holds my eyes, doesn't look away despite the blush. "Good answer."
After breakfast, we both shower—separately, because otherwise we'll never make the interviews—and get ready.Professional clothes, work mode settling into place despite what happened last night.
She climbs onto my bike behind me, arms wrapping around my waist, body pressed against my back. Everything feels different now. More possessive. More permanent.
First interview is with Hartley Industrial's owner, Jonathan Hartley. Bitter man in his fifties nursing grudges about every contract he lost when Brotherhood businesses chose different vendors. Defensive posture, aggressive responses, clear financial desperation showing in his worn office and ancient equipment.
"You're targeting me because of my business relationship with the Brotherhood," he snaps halfway through my questions. "This is harassment."
"This is investigation." Mira's voice stays level, professional. "Five fires at Brotherhood-connected businesses, all following the same pattern. You've got motive, means, and opportunity. We're just asking questions."
"I didn't burn down anything. I don't care how desperate my business is, I wouldn't risk prison over lost contracts."
"Then help us eliminate you as a suspect." I lean forward. "Account for your whereabouts during each fire. Provide financial records showing you didn't purchase accelerants. Cooperate instead of getting defensive."
