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“Yes.”

She traces something on my chest.

“Does Kaz have clients?”

“Duke and Mav to start with, and an operation in Montana and one in Utah. We’ll both do the work, but he’s gotta do the handshaking bullshit. Kaz is better at building relationships in a community than I am. I’m better at building the intelligence picture.”

She leans down and kisses my jaw. “You’re not bad at relationships.”

“I’ve had some notable failures.”

“You’ve had one notable failure.” A playful glint softens her gaze. “Which you’re currently addressing.”

“I’m doing my best.”

“What do you need from me?”

“What do you mean?”

“For the company,” she explains. “What do you need?”

“I…I haven’t even decided if I’m going to work with him. It’s just…you know⁠—”

“Of course you’re going to work with him.” She slaps a hand down on my chest. “I mean, what else will you do? I have a job. You need a job, too.”

“I have money, Taya.”

Her lips tighten as her gaze sharpens. “And what’s that got to do with anything?”

“Just…I don’t want you to think I’m a freeloading bum who’s gonna live off you or⁠—”

She bursts out laughing.

“Fine! So…yeah, I need a job. I have to work.”

“So I ask again, what do you want from me?”

I lick my lips. “I want you to tell me what you think. I want you to give me advice. I want us to make this decision together. I want to move in with you here. I want us to…build a life.”

The way she watches me makes it clear I’m no longer optional. That this, what we are, is as clear in her mind as mine.

“I think it’s a good idea. I think you should do it. I think you can help people like Clara. I think you can help lawyers like me who can’t afford full-time investigators, though I expect the friends and family rate.”

I cock an eyebrow, feeling a surge of happiness—pure unadulterated 100% joy. “And what’s that?”

“I pay you off with…ah…favors.” She rubs against me suggestively.

“Sounds good.”

She shoots me a look full of unfiltered delight. “Call Kaz.”

“Now?”

She leans and picks up my phone from the nightstand and hands it to me.

“You’re sure?”

“Mason,” she snaps. “Call Kaz.”