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“Of course.”

“We’re coordinating patrol schedules.”

“Naturally.”

“There is nothing⁠—”

“Mia.” She stops walking. Turns to face me with an expression that is gentle and completely undeceived. “I'm not trying to pry. I’m just—” She pauses. “You’re allowed to let someone in. That’s all I wanted to say.”

The words hit me in a soft spot I don’t like knowing I have.

“Grey’s probably off his call,” I say.

She holds my gaze for one more second. Then nods and lets it go. For now.

Grey is in his office, which apparently used to be some kind of lounge where Franco played pool and smoked cigars. The pool table is gone, but the stale smell of smoke remains.

My nose wrinkles immediately. “How do you get any work done in here?” I cough. “No, how do you breathe in here?”

Grey strides to the window and yanks it open. Then he turns on the fan sitting beside it. “Remediation company can’t come until next week,” he says. “I’m making do.”

“You know this house has, like, a million other rooms,” I say.

“But this room is next to Lexi’s office.” He looks at her as he says it, and the gooey eyes they make at each other makes me groan.

“Don’t eye fuck each other when I’m standing right here,” I say.

Lexi snorts as Grey crosses to her and plants a huge kiss on her mouth. “How about real f⁠—”

“Grey,” Lexi says, swatting him, and he laughs but steps back.

“Fine. What can I do for you ladies?”

“I have an idea I want to run by you.”

“Sure. Sit.” He gestures to the sitting area near the fireplace. At least these chairs are new and not stained with cigar smoke and who knows what else from Franco’s era.

“How is Claire, by the way?” Grey asks before I can launch into the idea Nash had last night. “Nash said she was really shaken up after everything that happened yesterday.”

“I called her on my way in. Her roommate stayed home from work today to be with her. I’ll stop by tonight on my way home. But I think this is going to take some time. She risked her life trying to save Bobby and… It was a blow to have failed.”

“Fuck.” Grey’s tone is anguished—just like I feel.

Lexi reaches out and takes his hand in silent comfort.

“If she needs employment, have her come see Andy,” Lexi says. “We can find her something while the restaurant is being repaired.”

“I’ll tell her,” I say, grateful to have that figured out.

“And Crow…” Lexi begins.

“He’ll be okay,” I say. “I’m going to put him on training duty. Keep him busy with the newer patrols.”

“He’s going to hate that,” Grey says.

“But he won’t have to kill anything, and he won’t have time to spiral,” I say.

“Good point.” He sits back. “So, what’s your idea?”