Page 121 of Riordan's Revenge

“She said her obsessions burn out. I figured I’m one of them.”

She’d told me so, which was why we had a deal, but I didn’t want to reveal that to her family.

Her brother’s scrutiny undid me. “Her obsessions? We’re talking about being crazy for a band or a book series featuring fantasy boys with magic powers. Typical fads. Not someone she loves.”

I dropped his gaze. I didn’t need the hope his words gave.

Sinclair’s arm landed around my shoulder, and he got us underway once again with a brief slap to my back. “Good to know where ye stand, though.”

“What do you mean?” I hadn’t revealed anything, yet my heart thumped.

“She could do worse.” He shrugged. “Take the help, Riordan. Struan and Jamieson are sticking around. They’ll be waiting on your word.”

Fucking hell. He strode on ahead and left me to get back on my bike. All the while, reeling in the hope that he was right.

We travelled backto the warehouse in a convoy. My mind twisted over the confiscated blade. Shade waited outside the back door, the car park almost empty apart from crew vehicles. Our game with the police had taken up most of the night.

I killed the bike’s engine and stepped off the bike.

“Have fun?” Shade asked.

At last, I could see the experience with a little more perspective. Cassie hadn’t lied. Not that I’d thought she had, but I’d just committed crimes that any other version of me would’ve been charged for. Yet I’d walked straight out of the police station.

Holy fuck.

“It was an education.” Then I added, “Did Gen tell you and Arran about Adam’s knife?”

He nodded. “We heard.”

Sweat broke out on my brow. “The cops have it now.”

He didn’t flinch. “Good to know. We’ll handle it.”

Of course he would. The world I’d found myself in flipped everything I knew on its head.

“Congratulations on the baby,” I added. It felt like days ago that Everly had included me in her call, but it had barely been a few hours.

“Thanks, uncle.”

Shit. I would be. He and I were related by that child. Another, deeper connection bound me into the skeleton crew.

The door behind him opened, and a missile shot out. Cassie dove at me with a squeak of emotion, her arms and legs tucking around me. I absorbed the impact and hugged her back, all the stress of the evening shifting to something far better.

I kissed her hair. “Everything’s okay.”

“I had a live play-by-play from my brothers, but that did nothing to chill me out. I hated every minute of ye being in there.”

“I came back to you.”

She lifted her pretty face. Desire flashed in her eyes. “Aye, ye did.”

God, I wanted that love to stay. I’d do anything to make it so.

Cassie kissed me. “Take me somewhere on your bike and strip me naked?”

One of her brothers made a choking sound. “Fuck’s sake, Cass.”

She smiled into the kiss. Kept her gaze on me while she pointed between us, saying for their benefit, “Fucking, now.”

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