“So, what’s the deal? You think someone offed Porter?” Mac whispered.
“Looks that way, but I don’t know.”
“You didn’t touch anything, did you?” Coop asked as he sat up, rubbing his eyes.
“Yeah, Coop. I made myself a cup of tea, took a piss, and laid down in his bed for a long winter’s nap.” He looked at him incredulously. “The fuck you think this is, amateur hour?”
Mac snickered as she got up to grab her purse and keys. “Come on, partner. Let’s get you home.” She nudged Coop’s leg as she passed by him. “You clearly need more sleep if you’re asking dumbass questions like that.”
“Hey, I’m just trying to look out for our boy.”
“Ourboycan take care of himself. Come on.” She rushed him. “I’m tired, and unlike you, I didn’t fall asleep on the job.”
“I knew you had it covered.”
Mac looked at Derek and rolled her pretty blue eyes before slapping him on the shoulder. “Glad you didn’t have to kill the guy.”
“Me, too.” He glanced back toward the bedroom. “How’s she doin’?”
“Worried about you. It took some time for her to fall asleep, but I haven’t heard a peep out of her since.”
Derek nodded. “Thanks for stayin’ with her. I know I’ve been askin’ a lot from you two lately, but—”
“We get it.” Mac gave him a drowsy smile.
“And don’t worry.” Coop slapped him on the back. “I’m keeping track of all these favors. Gonna wait until I need something big and cash them all in at once.” He put his hand to his chin and thought a moment. “Or maybe I won’t. I might cash ’em in one at a time. It’d be like giving myself a monthly treat.”
“I’d hold on to them if I were you,” Derek advised the other guy. “You ever find yourself in a situation like mine, you’ll need all the favors you can count. Trust me.”
Something flickered in Coop’s eyes, and Derek caught the way the sniperalmostglanced over at his partner before blinking it away.
He smiled. “Nah. I don’t see that happening.”
“What? You falling in love?”
There was that damn flicker again, but Coop laughed it off. “After all the shit you, Trev, and Jake have gone through with your women? I think I’ll pass.”
“Yeah, because what happened to those three women has been their fault,” Mac snapped at him in a hushed voice.
Coop rolled his eyes. “Jesus, Christ, Mac. I never said it was their fault. All I said was—”
The adorable but deadly sniper raised a hand to stop him. “Never mind. Doesn’t matter. I’m tired, and I’d like to go home.” She turned to Derek. “Keep me posted on what you find out about Porter.”
“I will.”
With a nod, Mac opened the door and left, not bothering to wait for Coop. The former Ranger looked at him and shook his head.
“Do you see what I have to put up with?”
Derek chuckled. “Better get going, or she’ll leave your ass.”
Coop grinned. “Seriously, man. Glad you didn’t have to get into it with Porter.”
“Someone did.”
“Let me know what you find out about that. Catch ya later.”
With shared nods, Coop left. Securing the locks, Derek took a deep, cleansing breath and heading to the bathroom to clean up.
