“Not as gorgeous as you.” I turn my head, and we share another quick kiss.
“If you’re planning to get laid tonight, you are doing and saying all the right things.”
“Celebration sex is my favorite,” he murmurs, sliding his hand down the side of my body to squeeze my ass.
“I thought makeup sex was your favorite,” I tease, taking the flowers to the sink as Keven opens one of the overhead cupboards, removing a large glass vase and handing it to me.
“I love makeup sex too,” he says, pressing his body against my back and sweeping my hair aside, as I fill the vase with water. “But I hate it has to come after an argument because I hate arguing with you. Hence why celebration sex trumps makeup sex.” He plants a slew of soft kisses up and down the side of my neck.
“I hate arguing too,” I admit as I position the flowers in the vase. Setting it on the counter beside the sink, I turn around in my husband’s arms. “I know we have been arguing a lot lately, but it’s only because I am so worried.” Keven was seriously injured last year, and I will never forget getting that call. I had heart palpitations the entire car journey to the hospital, and I burst into floods of tears when I saw my husband lying unconscious on the bed, hooked up to numerous machines. “Seeing you in the hospital scared the absolute shit out of me, Keven. I love that you do so much good through your work, but I hate the danger and the risks to your safety.” I sweep my hands through his dark hair. “I don’t want anything to happen to you. You know this.” We have discussed this time and time again.
“Which is one of the reasons why I called Sawyer and Xavier. I know you wanted me to quit immediately after the shooting, but I couldn’t leave my team in the lurch in the middle of a case. I needed to see it through to completion, and now I have, I can put the bureau behind me.”
“It went well then?”
“Well enough that I will be resigning on Monday morning even though I haven’t even looked at the offers Sawyer and Xavier have written up for me.”
Tears prick my eyes as I fling my arms around him. “I am so relieved, honey. I would die if anything happened to you.”
His strong arms band around me, and he holds me close. “As I would if anything happened to you or the kids. If I believed there was a real risk to me or my family after the shooting, I would have quit immediately, but the threat had been neutralized at the scene.” He tilts my head back, clasping my face in his large palms. “I never wanted to upset or disappoint you, but I wanted to walk away with a pristine record and my reputation intact. I hate how much you have worried about me, and I hate what it’s done to Taylor. Hopefully, me leaving the FBI will reassure him, and his nightmares and panic attacks will stop.”
“Dr. Fleming seems to believe it will help enormously, but she advised we continue bringing him to therapy.”
“Whatever he needs.” Kev hugs me again, dotting kisses into my hair.
* * *
We enjoy a family meal together before Kev takes the kids to the local ice cream parlor while I finish up some work. Switching off the light in the study a couple of hours later, I step into the hallway as Kev emerges from upstairs.
“All good?” I ask, walking to meet him.
“They are both asleep.”
I snuggle into his side, and we walk together toward the living room, where the champagne is already on ice.
“I talked with Taylor. I told him I’m leaving the FBI, and he seemed relieved.”
“I know I am,” I admit as I sink into the couch.
Kev pours two glasses of champagne, and we settle beside one another, reviewing the paperwork Sawyer and Xavier gave him and discussing the pros and cons of both offers. “What do you think I should do?” Kev asks after we have put the paperwork aside and poured fresh glasses of champagne.
“I think you should do whatever makes you the happiest and whatever makes the most sense for you. This isn’t about money. It’s about job satisfaction and your personal and professional needs.”
“I think I’d be happy with either option, but being part owner gives me a greater say in the direction the company takes and the type of clients we take on. A large part of my frustration in the FBI these past few years has been the lack of control. It’s frustrating having to do something you wholeheartedly disagree with, knowing it’s the wrong decision.”
“Then sign on as a co-owner.”
“It’s a big investment. More than we have.”
“S.I.S.S. is a very successful, growing business, and its market value reflects that. Buying in won’t be cheap, but it’s a good investment with great return potential. You could ask your parents for a loan, go to the bank for a loan, or take them up on their offer of paying a lump sum now and then the rest on a monthly basis from your salary. They are making it as easy as possible for you to co-own the business, and I think that speaks volumes.”
Kev nods, looking thoughtful. “I definitely got that vibe. Three’s not a crowd when it comes to business.”
“Talk to your mom or Kade and Eva. Hell, you could talk to any number of people within the family. Kyler knows finance. Kent can cover the legal aspect. Selena and Keanu, Presley, Austen, and Keats all run successful businesses. See what everyone thinks, and then mull it all over.”
“I will because I don’t want to take unnecessary risks with our finances or our future even if my gut is telling me the co-owner route is the right option.”
“You know I’ll back you whatever you decide. I trust your judgment, and I want you to be happy.”
