Colin studied him, jaw tight. Then he gave a dry, humorless laugh. “A paper shield for Hannibal Barrett’s life. And for the kids we found in that basement. Hell of a world.”
Price’s face softened—just barely. “It’s the only kind we’ve got. And it’s the kind that keeps you alive.”
Colin watched him leave, the file tucked into his coat like a loaded weapon. Then he dropped back into his chair and stared at the closed door, chewing at a thumbnail.
One more piece of this devil’s bargain, signed and sealed.
Two months earlier, they’d made the deal: Moreno walked—partially—and in return, they’d get the biggest takedown of hislife. Sex trafficking ring dismantled. Corrupt officials exposed. Barrett’s killer prosecuted. And Lexi, who had once threatened Colin’s life—and Joshua’s—would be moved from Red Onion to medium security, out of their crosshairs.
A trade. Peace at a price.
We’re safe now,Colin told himself.HE’S safe now.
That has to be enough.
Thatisenough.
He rose and grabbed his overcoat, then turned back to his desk. His hand hovered over his briefcase, then retreated. “Not this weekend,” he murmured. “This weekend is just for us.”
Fifteen minutes later,Colin pulled his red Mazda into the driveway, parking beside Joshua’s slate-grey Accord. He took the porch steps two at a time—but didn’t make it to the door. It swung open before he reached it, and warmth rushed out to meet him. Strong arms wrapped around him, and the scent of ginger clung to his skin.
“You’re home,” Joshua murmured, lips brushing Colin’s as he walked them backward into the living room, holding on like he’d waited all day for this moment.
“Goddamn right,” Colin growled, tightening his arms around Joshua’s waist, returning kiss for kiss as they stood beside the couch.
“You hungry?”
Colin gave a husky laugh, clutching Joshua tighter against his body. His voice dropped, low and rumbling with anticipation. “Always.” His teeth closed over the curve of Joshua’s neck, smiling as he heard the pleasured hiss.
Joshua laughed, breathless. “Well,you’vehad a day.”
Colin pressed their foreheads together. “I’ve had three months’ worth of ‘days.’”
Joshua eased back from their embrace, fingers threading through Colin’s hair. “Let’s eat. Then the evening’s ours to do whatever we want.”
Colin gave a soft, half-frustrated sigh, and his arms loosened. “I know whatI’llwant.” He followed Joshua into the kitchen, then paused, leaning over the sink to peer through the porch windows into the backyard. “Who’s on duty tonight? Do you know?”
“Pretty sure it’s Sarah and Daniel,” Joshua said, turning a salmon steak with practiced ease. “I spoke to Sarah earlier, and she said she’d be around tonight.”
Colin nodded, chewing on his lower lip.
“When d’you think they’ll terminate our security?”
“I dunno. I doubt we’ll have them for much longer.”
Joshua slid the salmon onto plates alongside a colorful burst of vegetables, then moved toward the dining room. “Come sit down.”
Colin gave a small grunt of acknowledgment, but his eyes lingered on the dark yard beyond the porch windows. Then he turned, smiling. “Yeah, babe. On my way.”
Sarah Mitchell squirmedin the front seat of her vehicle, trying to find a comfortable position. The seat claimed to be ergonomic, but whoever designed it clearly hadn’t worn a Glock, a vest, and two radios. She muttered under her breath and shifted again, cursing the job’s worst enemy: downtime.
In the backyard, Daniel Lopez swept the perimeter, eyes alert for anything out of place. A shadow. A shift. A flicker of motion.He stopped next to Colin and Joshua’s cherry trees and sighed. Turning toward the house, he caught a glimpse of Joshua at the kitchen window, his eyes flicking to the side as he talked, his smile huge.
“Must be Colin,” Lopez muttered. “No one else makes him smile that big.”
After dinner,Colin and Joshua reclined on their comfy, oversized couch, snuggled close as their favorite television shows played in the background. Joshua lay sprawled across Colin’s chest, his head tucked against his shoulder. His eyes were closed, barely aware of what was on the screen. Tired from a long day, he sank into the warmth of Colin’s arms, and the solid strength pressed against him.
Colin rubbed his cheek against the silk of Joshua’s dark curls, his gaze unfocused, the screen little more than a flicker in his periphery. When Joshua shifted, nestling in closer, Colin’s arms instinctively tightened.
