Bodie groaned. “God, you’re worse than Greer and Chase.”
Nick arched a brow. “You mean, you and Rowan because we catch you two making out all the damn time.”
“Then, stop bypassing my security and walking into my loft.” Bodie grinned at Sloane. “And for what it’s worth, I know you’ll probably have a dozen jobs lined up as soon as you’re cleared to go back to work. But if you haven’t made up your mind yet, I’d love to have you join the team. We could use someone with your cyber skills to overhaul our systems, handle all the intelside of the business — hack into a few high-level agencies when warranted. And I can’t expect Dalton to babysit Nick every time I send him off on a mission. It’d be nice to have someone else who can handle him without putting a round in his ass.”
Nick eased back and crossed his arms. “Now, you’re just being mean.”
“The truth hurts sometimes, buddy.” Bodie smiled at her. “Just, give it some thought. You’ll be sidelined for a few more weeks, so, you’ve got time. Speaking of which, we’re gonna go grab some food, then we’ll be back with some takeout. Build up both your strength before the great escape.” Bodie looked pointedly at Nick. “Youarebusting her out today, right?” He ignored the way Nick stared at him as if he wanted to throttle the guy. “Foster’s got plenty of room, and we should be good-to-go at headquarters by the end of the month. Turns out, most of the damage was cosmetic. You’re more than welcome to stay in the suite.”
Nick squeezed her hand. “Thanks, brother, but I think we’re gonna find a place to put down some roots, though, we might need to crash until we can take possession.”
“I’ll tell Rowan to keep changing the metrics on the keypad, just to be safe.”
Nick’s buddies ambled out, Avery giving Nick those creepy “I’m watching you” fingers, the room returning to that quiet calm she’d woken to.
Nick moved in closer, looking at her as if she’d filled in his empty spaces. Caged the demons he’d been fighting for the past five years. “You’re gonna accept Bodie’s proposal, right?”
She grinned. “Probably. I mean, as long as shooting you in the ass isn’t completely off the table.”
“I’m sure he’d make a few concessions.” Nick rubbed his thumb across the back of her hand. “And the house thing? Iknow I should have asked if that was on the table, first, but it kinda just slipped out.”
“You’re a spy. Things don’t just slip out.” She tugged him closer, brushed her lips over his. “But I’d be lying if I didn’t say, I love the idea… On one condition.”
“Name it.”
“The house has one hell of a view, and no glass catwalks.”
“No catwalks period.”
He kissed her, long, deep. The kind that had her wishing he could join her in the bed.
Nick tsked, shaking his head as he eased back. “I know that look, and you’re a week or two away from that kind of fun.” He smiled as he simply stared at her for a moment. “Damn, I love you. I’m just sorry it took a bullet and a bounty for me to say it out loud.”
“I love you, too. But know this…” She fisted his shirt, held him close. “If you ever shove me behind an HVAC unit again, without a solid plan beside sacrificing yourself, I’ll kill you.”
“Understood. Now, are you gonna waste what little time we have glaring at me, or are we gonna make out?”
“I think I can shift my focus. Just, don’t ever leave. Okay?”
“Be careful what you wish for, sweetheart. Because it’s definitely gonna come true.”
