Page 120 of The Woman with the Handcuffs

“And we can keep things going as we wait. It’s not like all our drivers worked for the same company.”

“Right. So, really, it’s all settled.”

“For now, yeah.”

“He getting some worker’s comp for taking a bullet?” I asked, nodding at Zaro.

“A promotion,” Zaro said.

That was big for a guy as young as he was. To get Made. It showed how much Leo valued him, even without the whole getting shot thing.

“Good for you.”

“Sounds like your girl is awake,” Leo said as the door to the bathroom closed. “We’ll get out of your way. Just fair warning, this shit isn’t an excuse to skip out on family dinner. We expect to see you. And Caitlin, if she’s game.”

I didn’t deny that she was my girl.

She was.

And my loner ass was somehow completely comfortable with that.

Caitlin - 1 week

“Did you order something?” I asked, looking up from my book when there was a knock on the apartment door.

“Nope. Stay,” he demanded when I tried to get up to answer it.

One thing I decided I really liked about these Costa men was their innate instincts to do the manly tasks: taking out the trash, answering the bell, opening doors, carrying bags.

It wasn’t just Gav. It was all his brothers. All of whom who had come to check on me after learning about what happened. Some even brought homemade meals. Which was a treat beyond all expectations. I was not a great cook. Gav didn’t have any motivation. Some homemade meals were almost nonexistent in our lives.

“Oh, Brio, hey.”

My interest was piqued.

I’d heard many stories about Brio.

About his ruthlessness, his thirst for violence, and also his animal advocacy. Which seemed like shouldn’t coexist in one person and yet did.

I bookmarked my page and set the tome on the table, watching Gav’s back as he barred the door for a moment, talking in a voice too low for me to hear.

“Yep. That’ll do it,” he said, and I loved how I could tell from his voice that he was smiling. “Babe, Brio came with a get-well present.”

“I ain’t the homemade lasagne type. And I can’t pick out a book for shit. But I do know about one thing that never fails to put a smile on people’s faces.”

With that, he reached under his zip-up and produced a little orange tabby.

“Oh, my God!” I yelped, already reaching for him when Brio dropped him on my lap. “Hi! Hey, baby,” I cooed.

The kitten let out the sweetest little meow I’d ever heard in my life.

I glanced up at Gav with the most exaggerated pout I could manage.

“I already told him he could bring one,” Gav said. “Made him bring some essentials, too so we can get started.”

“He’s ours?” I asked, needing clarification before I set my heart on him.

“He’s ours.”