Page 190 of Nocere

"I agree." Ainsley patted my knee and her expression lifted again when she asked, "I hear you're getting promoted, Rosie."

"Who told you that?"

"Walsh can't keep his mouth shut. Are you excited?"

"I am. But nervous about working with some P.I. he's teaming me up with."

"You met her already. She was the one who barged into your office a few months ago. Remember?" Ainsley smirked while shaking her head. "A pint-sized nightmare."

"No way. Walsh is going to make me work with Sali James?" I groaned while leaning back against Sam. "She's aggressive."

"Maybe your kind little heart will soften her up." Ainsley poked my belly and I swatted her hand.

"Rosie, Rosie, Rosie!" Alex bounced over to us the moment she appeared through the back door. She grabbed me in a hug and nearly smashed Sam into the couch. Our laughter rang out while Sam forcibly joined the hug.

"I haven't seen you in a few days. Where've you been?" I asked when Alex butted her way to sit in the space in front of Ainsley. She hugged her from behind in almost a headlock and Alex laughed.

"At Sara's. I figured you needed some time…" She glanced to Ainsley. "With everything."

"Thank you. I'm okay."

"With what everything?" asked Ainsley.

"Rosie will tell you when she's ready." Alex patted Ainsley's arms. "Don't pressure her about it."

"Yes, boss." Ainsley chuckled until Jordan made her way back over.

"What's going on over here with this quieter crew?" Jordan ran her fingers through my hair. "You need a trim on those bangs, Rosie."

"Is that part of this party, too?" I asked and she grinned.

"Maybe. If you can keep me sober long enough. Come to the salon this week and I'll take care of you," she said, then looked to Sam. "How about you, Sami? Let me get my hands on those lusciously thick locks."

"You just want to get your hands on everyone, Jordy. We know your motives," retorted Sam, though with a smile.

"You're right. You're all so pretty." She caressed our faces one after the other before smooching Ainsley’s forehead. "C'mon, babe. We need to replace the sternos."

"There's like three hundred people here in ten minutes." Ainsley hopped up and wrapped her arms around Jordan's shoulders as they stole a minute for a deeply affectionate kiss. Jordan stroked her cheeks and Ainsley leaned into it. It wasn't often that I'd seen them in a tender moment, though it was as fleeting as their feet when they headed over to the buffet table they set up in the dining room.

"Where's your girl, Al?" asked Sam when the three of us now occupied the couch by ourselves.

"She'll be here soon. Just getting off work. It looks like everyone is here tonight." Alex nodded to Eve and Ciara who entered ahead of Billie, Mira, Dax, and Willa from the back door.

Sam tensed under me for a moment and I followed her gaze to the waists of Eve, Billie, and Dax each clad with their weapons still holstered to their gear belts. Dax and Billie stood facing each other while Dax reached for her gun. Sam started, but Dax only rested her hand on it in an idle stance.

"Hey." I turned to whisper against Sam's lips. "Look at me." She met my gaze and the playful light in her eyes dimmed a fraction. "They protect us. Detective, Special Agent, and a U.S. Marshal. They're not their weapons, baby. Eve, Billie, and Dax keep us safe. And Vee and Alice before them. Right?"

"Yes." Sam tucked my hair behind my ears then continued to stroke it after.

"I love you," I told her and that made her smile.

"I love you, too."

Alex watched us, the weight in her expression mirroring the situation. She patted my foot that pressed into the cushion beside her and I held my hand to her.

"I saw Juni today," said Alex, purposefully changing the subject as evidenced by her deliberate tone.

"Did you?"

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