Page 23 of The Secrets We Share

A laugh breaks out behind us, and I stiffen in Keira’s grasp.

“Oh shit, baby girl, you switched teams and went full caveman, huh.”

The hand that was moving to holster my gun slows, but Keira sees the hesitation in my choice.

“Nik, could you fucking not,” Keira throws over her shoulder. Her hand shoves mine to continue, and the gun finally gets tucked away.

Nik—apparently—shakes her head and pushes off the door. “We should probably take this inside, lovebirds. My neighbors are nosey as fuck, and I have a feeling neither of you wants a visit from the local PD.”

“You’re in so much fucking trouble, sweetness,” I whisper in her ear as we follow into the apartment. Her breathy whimper is muffled by the door slamming behind us, but the flush that blooms across her cheeks is plain as day for everyone to see.

The apartment is a small studio with one door that must lead to a cramped bathroom. There’s a twin bed in the corner, a kitchen opposite. In the middle of the room, a couple of floor cushions and bean bags offer the only place to sit other than the one thing that doesn’t fit the space’s design. A computer set up to rival mine back at the apartment. The quad monitor monstrosity takes up half the studio.

Our host graciously throws out her arm while dropping into the computer chair and spinning back our way. My fingers dig into Keira’s hip from behind. She wiggles free and plops down, squishing one of the beanbags under her weight. She’s too comfortable here for Nik to be an acquaintance. They obviously have a history based on how she welcomed my girl.

Fucking great.

I stand behind Keira, arms tight across my chest, and stare down the stranger. She’s blatantly examining me from head to toe, probably thinking precisely what everyone else who sees me on the street does.

“So, to what do I owe the pleasure of seeing you, beautiful.”

A thunderous growl pulls from my chest, and Keira sighs below me. “Nikita, cut the shit. We haven’t been together in years. Stop stirring the pot.”

“Come on, babe. I’m just testing your new man. I know you. He’s got to have a grip on his patience to deal with the shit you pull.” She drops a knowing look at Keira.

“I’m not that bad.” My sassy girl pouts and it’s enough to pull a chuckle out of both of us.

“Fuck both of you.”

“Oh, you’ve already done that,” Nikita pops back.

“Enough. Why are we here, sweetness?”

Her head tips back, giving me her eyes. “I wanted to help.”

“Fucking hell, Keira. Seriously? Do you know what being in the city by yourself could lead to?”

“I wasn’t alone, though, was I?”

“That’s not the point, and you damn well know it.”

“As entertaining as this is, I have a job to get back to. So, if you need my help with something, baby girl, now’s your chance.”

“I found my dad.”

“Holy shit, K.”

“Actually, he found me. And it wasn’t the reunion I’d always dreamed of. It was a complete shitshow, if I’m being honest.”

“You can say that again,” I add.

“There’s still some shit going on between us, and I’m looking for information.”

“You really think she’s going to be able to tell you something James and I weren’t able to?”

“He doesn’t know who I am, huh?” Nikita asks, a sly cockiness laced through her tone.

“Not from me,” Keira confirms. “But Nik, he’ll know once you show him.”

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