Jules flipped him off. "I didn't mean likethat, asshole."
"You can handle your own asshole?" Boner asked, pretending to look surprised. Maybe even a little bit impressed.
"Archer," Jules said. "What are the chances of me dying if I jump off the roof of this building?"
"Not that good, actually," Archer said. "You could die, but you'd be badly injured first. I wouldn't recommend it."
"You're not going to jump off the roof of the building," I said to Jules.
"If I do, you'll know who's to blame." He gave Boner the side eye.
"Everyone has to have a hobby," Boner said. "Mine is stirring up shit."
"You could say that again," Jules muttered. He held up his finger and glared at Boner. "Don'tsay it again."
"Say it again. Don't say it again." Boner tipped his head from one side to the other. "You're giving me whiplash. Make up your mind."
Jules ignored him. "I'll be two hours away. If you need me, I can get back quickly. I have to go down there. Someone needs to see what he's doing."
I chewed my lip. "Someone should go with you."
That someone wasn't going to be Cass. Putting him back in the lion's den with his father was out of the question. Even if I thought he'd go, which, judging by the sudden clenching up his jaw, wasn't an option.
It couldn't be me either. As nice as it would be to get out of the city for a few days, I still had to get back to my restaurants. I had staff to hire.
If anyone dared to apply.
My track record of keeping staff alive wasn't great lately. If I was them, I'd think twice about putting in a resume.
"I'll go with you," Boner offered.
Jules groaned.
"I know you don't always get along with each other, but it's not a bad idea," I said carefully.
Boner could look after himself if anything happened. He'd be okay. In theory. Of course I'd miss his sense of humor, but it would be better than Jules being by himself.
Jules glanced over to Archer, who looked back at him without blinking. Evidently he wasn't going to make the same offer.
"If you get in the way—" Jules started.
"Excellent!" Boner interrupted. "Road trip.” He fist-pumped the air. "I'll pack up a few things." He disappeared into the bedroom we shared.
"I'm going to regret this, aren't I?" Jules said scrubbing a hand over his face.
"You might regret going alone even more," I pointed out. "If it's some kind of trap, you'll need someone to back you up."
"Harlow is right," Cass said. He looked happy as his brother at Boner tagging along. He'd miss the other guy and no doubt he'd prefer if all of us were going. Or none of us.
Personally, me too. I didn't want any of them out of my sight, much less out of the city.
"I hate the idea of leaving you here." Jules stepped over to me and cupped my cheek.
"I have Cass and Archer," I said. "I'll be fine."
"You meanwehaveyou," Cass said.
Archer quirked an eyebrow.
