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“That’s going to get complicated with two little ones running around,” I point out.

She shrugs with a wicked smile. “Why do you think we’re interviewing nannies?”

“If I didn’t love my job so much, I would volunteer,” I say, holding Celeste a little tighter.

“We’re so not ready for kids,” Allora says, shaking her head. “We need time for us to be…us for a while. Does that make sense?”

“Absolutely.” Courtney nods. “You’ve been through a lot.”

“Honestly, therapy has been good. For both of us. Maybe in a few years. For now, I’m happy falling in love and spending time together.”

“We should get to lunch,” I say, reluctantly handing Courtney back the baby.

“I’m heading home,” Courtney says, “but I’ll man the phones while you guys are busy.”

“See you later!” Allora calls out.

I pick up my laptop and we’ve just stepped into the hall when Rage comes around the corner.

“Hey.” He smiles at us. “Everyone ready for lunch?”

We fall into step together, and I feel his hand at the small of my back. It’s both thrilling and a little disconcerting because this type of public affection is essentially an announcement that we’re together. We talked about it briefly, but our date was so abruptly cut off it’s hard to know exactly where we stand. It’s not like anything has changed, but we didn’t really talk about anything personal when I picked him up this morning and I don’t know when we’ll next have the opportunity.

It’s going to be a busy day.

“I spoke to Dan this morning,” he murmurs against my ear. “Let him know what’s going on between us so there isn’t any gossip or bullshit like that.”

I glance up. “It’s like you read my mind.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll always have your back.”

I smile in spite of myself. “I think I know that about you already.”

“I didn’t mention the baby thing,” he adds. “We don’t need people constantly asking if you’re pregnant, you know? Especially since it might take a while.”

God, everything is moving so damn fast, but how can it not when he’s absolutely perfect? I’m already falling. Hard and fast.

“You’re sweet,” I whisper as we walk into the conference room. The place smells amazing, and containers of Chinese food line one of the credenzas, along with paper plates and plastic cutlery. I put down my laptop and then we fill our plates, settling in next to each other.

“So,” Daniil says once we’re all seated and everyone is eating. “Luna found footage of Ginger with the man we suspect killed her.” He presses a few buttons and the video clips I sent him come up on a big screen against the wall.

“That’s the man I saw,” Rage says. “But there was no way to chase him without drawing attention to myself, and if there are multiple players involved in whatever this is, we don’t want them to know we’re on to them. Not yet.”

“Agreed.” Daniil nods. “But this begs the question—does he look at all familiar to anyone?”

“He could be anyone,” Silver admits in annoyance.

“But now we have a starting point,” Metal says, leaning back and folding his arms across his chest. “I’ll be watching for this motherfucker.”

“You can’t be out there every night,” Silver says to him.

“Says who?” The two men eye each other and Daniil intervenes smoothly.

“You don’t want to become a target yourself,” he tells him. “We need to stay in the shadows.”

“You and your boys can stay in the shadows,” Metal says firmly. “I’m not letting this happen to anyone else if I can help it. Whoever it is will know that I’m watching.”

“I’ll have his back,” Motor says before Silver can respond. “We’re coming up with a schedule so the girls have protection every night.”