“I know.”She let an embarrassed grin slip.“Since we’ve been, well, whatever we’ve been doing, he’s rescued me from an explosion, bullets, a freezing river, and a psycho with a gun by putting himself in danger each time.He paid my bail, and he’s kept me safe for more nights than I can count.”Sure, she probably could count them, but why?
Damian watched his brother for a moment.“I don’t think he’s the easiest of guys, but he’ll definitely take care of you.That probably goes both ways.”
“I know, and I’m happy to make sure he gets outside and doesn’t force himself into society.I accept him as he is, and I like him.”More than that.Way more.“But he doesn’t exactly seem like he wants to get serious, you know?”She hadn’t been joking about wanting kids.
Damian’s mouth twitched.“He’s serious, Amka.Believe me.”He glanced at her, his eyes a burning green in the tavern.“He’s not great with words, but he’ll stick.I hope you slap him upside the head if you need.”
That was sweet.Osprey sweet.“You think I’ll have to?”
“Yes.”Damian took a sip of the soup.“He’s also thickheaded and doesn’t realize what a good mate he’d be.You might have to smack him a few times.”
She could do that.Her stomach grumbling, she forced a sip of soup, but it tasted like salt and metal now.Her lip was still swollen, and she could feel the tight scab forming just inside where she’d bit down too hard during the fight.Every muscle in her body ached.Her ribs throbbed.It had been a seriously rough week.
Christian’s voice cut across the room.Sharper now.“You’re what?”he said into the phone.He turned around slowly, lowering the phone from his ear.Then he retook his seat, irritation rolling off him along with that heat he always seemed to provide.
“What is it?”Damian asked.
“Dutch says he’s off chasing a lead on the eyeless victims.He’s going quiet for a while—no cell, no updates, no backup.”
“And?”Damian prompted.
Christian scrubbed a hand down his face.“I’ve been pulled off as a consultant on the case.”
The words didn’t register at first.“What?”Amka asked.
“There are charges pending against you,” Christian said.“And possibly against me.Dutch didn’t give details, but he said his boss said I’m out of it until the situation is resolved.”
That sucked.“I’m so sorry, Christian,” she breathed.
“Not your fault,” Christian said.“I just don’t like Dutch going at it alone.”
“He’s been a lone wolf his whole life,” Damian said.“Plus, I’ve been keeping track of the investigation through various avenues, and there are no leads.Not good ones.The first murder occurred months ago, and there’s nothing.My guess is that it’ll take a while to break.Probably several more months.”
Christian stretched his neck.“Hopefully not more victims.”
Amka shivered.“Word’s gotten around about the deaths, so everyone knows to be careful.But the tourists don’t listen.”
“It’s just so odd that nobody can identify the victims,” Damian muttered.“Now that we know Steve killed Eli Warner, all of the victims are unidentified again.”
The front door opened with a jingle that was too cheerful for the mood inside.
Wyland Friday walked in first, his boots dragging slightly.His gray hair was fuzzy around his head, and his whiskers rampant across his worn face.Sheldon followed, a white-paper-wrapped bouquet in his hand.
Amka stood without thinking.Her body didn’t want to move quickly, but she made it work.She approached them both.“Our kitchen is out, but I could get you both a drink if you’d like.”
Wyland awkwardly patted her shoulder with his beefy hand.“We just wanted to check on you.Make sure you’re okay.”The old guy’s eyes softened.“Maybe you should take a vacation?”
It wasn’t a horrible idea, but her problems would still be there when she returned.
Sheldon smiled, looking nice today in dark jeans and a blue sweater that brought out his eyes.He’d combed his hair back, too.“The explosion was bad enough, but it’s all around town about the influencer jerk who tried to kill you.I thought you could use something better to focus on.”He held out the flowers.
Amka blinked.“You brought me flowers.”
“Yeah.”Sheldon cleared his throat.“I figured nobody else would.Thought it might help.”
She stepped forward, took the bouquet from his hands, and gave a small nod.“Thank you.”
Sheldon smiled.“You bet.I’m hoping when you feel better we could take in a movie?There has to be a good one coming to town soon.”
