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Dutch cocked his to one side. “This isn’t formal, no. But are you sure about that perfect life? If Rex is MIA and still dead set on having you, he might pop up anywhere. Don’t you think it would be better to find him and ensure he won’t appear one day when you least expect it?”

July took Fletch’s hand and squeezed, but his attention never wavered from Dutch. “Of course I’d love to know I’ll never see him again, but can you promise that? If he shows up at work tomorrow, how do you see that going? You know he’s powerful and has connections. Do you have plans to arrest him? If so, on what charge? Rex will do whatever he does, but it won’t be to me. Fletch will always make sure of that.”

“Damn right.” Fletch kissed his ear, punctuating the promise. He was so proud of how July handled the cop. He hadn’t told one lie. July hadn’t killed him. He didn’t know where Rex was.

Banks motioned with his head for Fletch to join him.

Fletch’s gaze shot to July.

“He’s safe with me.”

He had no fucking clue how Dutch had seen that interaction, but Fletch knew he wasn’t simply taking the guy’s word.

Fletch snorted.

Dutch held his stare. “He’s safe with me.”

He didn’t know how he knew, but Dutch wasn’t fucking with him. July was safe with him.

Fletch kissed July’s temple and set him aside. “I’ll be right there with Banks. Just yell, okay?”

July nodded. He looked like he believed in Fletch like no one ever had before. “Okay, Daddy.”

Damn, he was Fletch’s everything.

After July’s protector walked away, Dutch eyed the pair sitting across from him. He jumped in surprise as the guy dressed as a baby threw himself backwards. He cried loud enough to make Dutch cringe.

July took the man’s hand and started patting it. “Sammie is just a little upset about losing his job.”

Dutch’s eyebrows rose at how seriously July made the claim. He was horrified by the guy’s behavior. “Dude, you’re a grown man. Sack up.”

Sammie sat up in a flash. Zero tears. “I’m not a man. I’m a baby.” He was red in the face with fury.

Dutch held his hands up in surrender. “Whatever you say, bud. You’re a baby. What kind of job hires and fires a baby?”

“I was a maid.”

Dutch had a hard time keeping a straight face. “And why did they let you go?”

“Have you seen the economy?”

Dutch fought all the laughter. This was the wildest situation he had ever found himself in, and he had been a cop his entire adult life.

For some reason, Dutch couldn’t stop asking questions. “Can a person survive in California on cleaning someone’s house?”

Sammie made a dismissive gesture. “Oh, I didn’t need the money. My former daddy set me up for life when he dumped me. He didn’t want me to struggle.”

“That was actually really kind.”

At July’s comment, Sammie switched his focus. He smiled. “I know, right? He was a great guy. I’m just a lot,” Sammie said, making a slight slashing motion with his hand.

Dutch was fascinated.

Sammie went back to giving Dutch his attention. “Anyhow, I just really enjoy cleaning, and these people's house was always disgusting when I showed up once a week.” Sammie shrugged. “It gave me something to do.”

As Dutch opened his mouth to respond, a loud succession of explosions rang out. Instinctively, Dutch leapt forward and tackled July and Sammie. He didn’t have to cover both of them. The guard he had met in the woods launched himself on July, shielding him.

Dutch tried to assess the situation while still keeping his head down. It would really suck if that got blown off in this club. The precinct would never let that go. A man loomed over him. He saw a bright flash before he heard the sound. The guard beside him made a grunting sound Dutch had unfortunately heard before. Dutch’s mind scrambled. He needed to protect July, but he also needed to protect Sammie, and he also needed to take down the shooter. Being torn didn’t last long. The guard was jerked away from July’s body. July didn’t move. His expression was cold in a way Dutch had never seen him. The ability to have so many thoughts in a span of seconds never failed to amaze him. Recognizing July as the target, Dutch attempted to switch his protection that way, but July was on his feet in a flash. All Dutch could do was watch as a huge boot came from nowhere, taking the assailant to his knees. Dutch dropped, protecting Sammie again now that they were eye-level with the suspect. But still he couldn’t look away from the horror that was happening inches away. Before the perp recovered from the roundhouse kick that had taken him down, his head exploded. Everything happened at the speed of light. Dutch’s brain didn’t have time to absorb what happened before he was splashed in the face with the guy’s blood and brains. While still in shock and rattled as hell, Dutch turned his head. Light blue eyes stared up at him, looking totally calm, as if Sammie knew beyond a shadow of a doubt Dutch would keep him safe.