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Roman's eyes narrow. “How protective?”

“Violet punched him once because he tried to stop her from going into a bar with Drew.”

Silence.

“That's your definition of protective?”

“He was being a Neanderthal.”

Roman stares at me like he doesn’t see the problem.

I shake my head. “You’re just like him.”

His expression darkens. “I'm not your fucking cousin.”

I burst out laughing. “That's not what I meant. You're both overprotective control freaks who think telling women what to do constitutes a safety plan.”

“I'm nothing like him.”

“Uh-huh.”

I grow serious, thinking about my cousin.

“Smoke isn't part of some criminal organization. That’s just… not him.”

“I didn't say he was.”

“Then why is Mercer looking for him?”

“Because he has something Mercer wants.”

“What?”

“Information.”

“What kind?”

“I don't know.”

I search his face. “You really don't know.”

“No.”

“Does your boss?”

“Not enough.”

“How easy is it to connect you to Smoke?”

I open my mouth, then close it.

Roman goes completely still. “Callie.”

“Define easy.”

He stares at me.

“There are pictures. Family stuff. Social media. Violet and I have both posted things with him.”