“You saying I’m unfit?”
“Youareunfit. You can thank your weed addiction for that.” I nudge him in the ribs. “Although, I give you ten out of ten for effort.”
“High praise indeed,” he says, stopping and bracing his hands on his bent knees. I swipe my water bottle from my backpack and guzzle it down. When I’m done, he’s regained control of his breathing, and we pick up a leisurely stroll.
“It’s Christmas in a couple weeks, right?” He nods. “So, are you guys going home or what?”
“We can’t go home. It isn’t safe.”
“Will your mom be pissed?”
“Yup. I’m dreading making the call.”
“Maybe you could ask James Kennedy to fly you under the radar.”
“We can’t risk it. Your bastard father will expect one of us to show our heads over the holiday season.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault, beautiful.” He slings his arm around my shoulders, pressing a kiss to my temple. “We’ll do our own Christmas here, and I already have a few ideas how to make it special.”
“Let me guess.” I tip one finger off my chin. “Hash cakes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and the evening’s entertainment is watchingHot Cop Nails Naughty Mrs. Claus Under the Christmas Tree.”
He throws back his head, laughing. “This is why you’re one of my favorite people.”
I shoulder-check him, grinning. “You’re one of my favorite people too.”
He lifts his little finger. “Pinkie swear?”
I laugh, shaking my head as I wrap my pinkie around his. “Pinkie promise.”
“What is this?” Sawyer questions a couple hours later when I usher all three guys into the living room. I’ve pushed the couches to one side, so there’s room for the flip chart.
“We’re strategizing.” I point at all three of them. “Sit your butts down.”
Sawyer frowns. “Is that my flip chart?”
“It is,” I confirm, pushing him down onto the couch.
“How did you get into my office?”
“I picked the lock.”
He looks at Kai. “Forget the muzzle. We need to handcuff her to the bed.”
“I’m down with that plan,” Jackson says, predictably rubbing a hand along his crotch.
“Don’t start that shit again,” Sawyer says. “We finally have peace. Let’s try not to ruin it.”
“Enough shit talk,” I instruct. “We have fathers to defeat, and we’re making a concrete plan.”
“What the hell do you think Kai and I have been doing since you got here?” Sawyer asks, crossing one leg over his knee.
“Shutting me out of your planning, and that stops now. This impacts me, and if you won’t include me, then I’ll go rogue.” Kai smirks, and my heckles raise. “Got something to add, caveman?”
“I’m just wondering what took you so long, firecracker.” I poke my tongue at him, and he smiles. “Let’s hear it, babe.”
I flip back the cover, revealing the sheet I already prepped. “I’ve listed our main enemies in order of priority.One. Michael Hearst.Two. Atticus Anderson.” I level Kai with a pointed look, expecting him to argue, but he merely nods. “Three. Christian Montgomery.Four. Trent Montgomery.”
