Page 53 of They All Own Me

"Oh, I almost forgot." Tatum taps her phone screen, pulling up Thomas's calendar. "He's got this big weekend trip to Cozumel planned. Some kind of donor retreat."

I lean forward, scanning the details. "Think he'll cancel with you being 'missing' and all?"

"Yeah right." She scoffs, dropping her phone on the table. "He wouldn't miss a chance to network with deep pockets, potentially murdered wife or not."

Dom crosses his arms. "He'll spin it. Say he needs the support of his colleagues during this 'difficult time' or some bullshit."

"Actually..." I pull up satellite imagery of the venue. "This could work in our favor. Isaac and Dom can tail him, see who he's meeting with."

"What about me?" Tatum asks.

"You'll stay here." I catch her eye. "With me. We can't risk moving you around with that reward money out there."

Isaac snorts. "How convenient."

"It makes tactical sense," Dom cuts in, though there's something knowing in his expression.

"Plus," Tatum adds, "I can teach him how to make something besides protein shakes and microwave meals. Maybe he can keep up the cooking after I'm gone"

"Hey, my cooking's not that bad." I protest, trying to keep the appearance of a smile when there's a pit in my gut when she mentioned after she's gone.

"Your idea of cooking is ordering takeout and putting it on actual plates." She grins. "At least make an effort to hide the evidence."

"Fine." I hold up my hands in surrender. "Whatever you say."

Dom and Isaac leave to go tie up some loose ends before they leave tomorrow for their stalking Thomas mission. The house already feels different and they aren't even out of the state yet. What the fuck was I thinking volunteering to stay behind?

"So..." Tatum's voice carries from the kitchen. "I was thinking lasagna for dinner? Unless you've got some weird mob-related dietary restrictions I should know about?"

I lean against the doorframe, keeping my distance. "No restrictions. Just don't poison me."

"Please. If I wanted to poison someone, it would've been Thomas years ago." She pulls ingredients from the fridge,moving through the kitchen like she owns it. "Besides, you guys are way more interesting alive."

The way she says it, casual and playful while wielding a knife to chop garlic, does something to my insides. This woman is dangerous in ways that have nothing to do with weapons or violence.

Jesus Christ. Three days alone with her might actually kill me. I push off from the doorframe, needing to put space between us before I do something stupid.

"I'll be in the security room. Gotta monitor the feeds."

"Running away already?" Her laugh follows me down the hall. "And here I thought mob guys were supposed to be tough."

I'm definitely in trouble.

Chapter 29

Tatum

I tosspancake batter in a bowl, trying not to think about Dom and how we haven't really talked since what happened on the plane. Well, other than the usual strategies and Thomas shit talking. This kitchen has become my sanctuary - a place to keep my hands busy while my mind wanders.

"You're making those fancy ones again?" Isaac walks in, already dressed for their surveillance mission.

"Blueberry ricotta. Someone has to feed you properly before you go stalk my husband." I pour the batter onto the griddle, watching bubbles form. "Speaking of, you guys packed and ready?"

Dom appears in the doorway, duffel bag in hand. "Almost. Just need to grab the surveillance gear from the office."

Connor shuffles in last, his dark hair messy from sleep. He heads straight for the coffee maker, barely acknowledging any of us. Not that I blame him - being stuck on babysitting duty probably isn't his idea of a good time.

"Here." I slide plates of pancakes across the counter. "Brain food for the road."

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