Shadow turned a smile in the man’s direction. “I always knew you were the smartest one of the bunch. No matter what these guys say about you.”
The woman never ceased to amaze him, and Slade couldn’t stop the grin curling the corners of his lips. Without thinking, he lifted his hand as if to reach for her. But then he remembered they weren’t alone and let it—and his small smile—fall back into place.
He blinked, realizing only then that Bones had been watching him from a few feet away. The nosey medic’s eyes twitched with what appeared to be an assessing glance, his gaze dropping to Slade’s hand before shifting over to Shadow.
Slade cleared his throat, and the other man blinked. They shared a look, and he knew his friend knew. Or at the very least, Bones had his suspicions.
Well, shit.
Thankfully the other man kept whatever he was thinking from the rest of the room. Instead of embarrassing both Slade and Shadow, Bones picked up where their original conversation left off.
“Okay, so until we hear otherwise, this stays between us.”
Apollo looked over at him and asked, “How do we want to proceed?”
“We need to talk to Reiner.” Shadow responded before anyone else had the chance.
Slade immediately swung his attention back to her. “There is nowe, princess.” That was a total non-negotiable. “It’s just going to be me and the guys.”
Fire shot at him from the feisty woman’s baby blues. “Like hell. No way you’re leaving me out of this. Not whenI’mthe one he’s trying to kill.”
“That’s exactly why I’m not letting you anywherenearthe son of a bitch.”
Shadow blinked, her expression twisting with exaggerated confusion. “Wow. The bonk on the head I got from the explosion must’ve done a number on my hearing. Because I could have sworn you just said you weren’tlettingme go with you to confront the man who nearly blew both our asses to bits. And, for all we know also shot up the motel.”
“You heard right.”
“Dammit Slade, I’m going with you.”
But Slade simply put his hands on his hips and leaned in, lowering his voice when he told her with clear enunciation, “No, you’re not.”
“Yes.” She seethed. “Iam.”
“Uh…kids?” Bones stepped toward them, his wary gaze bouncing between them. “Is everything okay here?”
“Everything’s fine,” Slade grumbled sharply. “She’s just apparently forgotten that she’s not the one calling the shots.”
“Sheis right here and can speak for herself. And I refuse to be left alone in this apartment while you guys go off to fightmybattles for me!”
“Never said you’d be staying here alone.”
“Well, if you and the guys are going after Reiner, then who?—”
The door to the apartment opened and, right on cue, Rafe Owens stepped inside.
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Shadow stared at the man who’d just crossed the threshold before turning her fiery gaze back on Slade. “You seriously called my dad?”
“You seem to forget that your dad is also our boss,” he reminded her. “And I didn’t call. I texted.”
“Semantics.” She fumed.
“Relax, darling.” Owens joined them. “I’m just here to keep you company while they have a talk with our suspect.”
“Andrew Reiner’s more than a suspect. My program positively identified him as the bomber, and I want to be there when he’s?—”
“I’m afraid this isn’t about what you want.” Owens interrupted her. “It’s about keeping you safe. Which, in case there was any question regarding the matter, is our number one goal.”
Her blonde hair swayed back and forth with a shake of her head. “Our only goal should be bringing Michael Stanton to his knees.”
