Page 68 of Lost Kingdom

“Tim! And she doesn’t even know?”

“Small details.”

“Dude!”

“I thought they were small details, anyway. But having the marriagecertificate doesn’t mean shit at all unless I claim her publicly. And I can’t publicly announce we’re married without risking death at the end of her scalpel. She’ll kill me for taking the choice out of her hands, and her feelings will be hurt when she thinks I did it out of duty over affection. Which means the protection I thought I’d bought counts for nothing unless I wanna get noisy.”

“You’re a fuckin’ idiot.” He drops into another chair and scrubs a hand over his face. “So you and her now… Is it love, or to keep her safe? Are you actuallyinthis relationship, or is it a show for Booth’s men, so they back the fuck up? Because if it’s the second, you’re gonna break her heart.”

“Can’t it be both? I’m in this relationship and I’m not giving her up, but I’malsoputting things into place that ensure she lives to a hundred.”

“But those things aren’t in place till you announce it!” He scratches the stubble on his jaw, the noise filtering through the line. “Jesus. You’ve just tangled yourself up in a giant fucking deception. And getting out again is gonna cost you.”

“Yep.” I pinch the bridge of my nose. “I know it. Add in that Duane thinks he’s got me by the balls, and now Booth is readying for war, and this entire fucking city is stressing me out.”

“So leave. Take Aubree on vacation and wait for the bullshit to blow over. Or stay, and make your announcements.”

“You know she’s not leaving without Mayet. And I can’t announce a damn thing without hurting a heart that deserves better.”

“Or you could ask her to marry you for real. Do up the wedding. Make it public and loud. That way Aubree’s an active participant, and your message gets out.”

“I’m trying! But weddings don’t happen in a week, and they never fucking happen if she won’t accept a man’s proposal. By the time I get her down the aisle, Booth will either be dead or ruling this city.”

“Sounds to me like you’re running out of options. Step up and take back your city, or sit down and let someone else do it. The latter puts your wife at risk.”

My wife.

I press a fist to my heart before it bursts from my chest and splatters onto the counter. Because those words—my wife—hurt and heal. They’re amazing and terrifying at the same time.

“Fuck, Archer. I have a wife.”

He chuckles, expelling his temper and relaxing. “Kinda offended I wasn’tinvited to the wedding. But I’ll be sure to come to your funeral. We know you won’t survive when you break the news to her.”

“Don’t I fuckin’ know it.” I draw a heaving breath and release it on a groan. “She’ll peel the skin from my bones and feed them to a cat. You think Mayet has a mean streak, but Aubree is just…”

“Ninja sneaky. The hits are harder because sheappearslike a cute little fairy princess in neon and glitter. At least my wife looks how she is. She has the resting bitch face and low tolerance for bullshit. We know what we’re getting with her.” He pauses for a beat, before coughing out a tormenting laugh. “You married her without telling her. And now you’re reaping the consequences. You didn’t see this coming?”

“Shut the fuck up.” I push up straight and circle my counter so I can head out again. “What do I do about Booth and Duane without blowing me and Aubree up in the process?”

“You exert the fucking power you were born with. Or you tell her the truth. Personally, I’d choose the first. Way less likely you’ll die that way.”

“You’re not being helpful, dickhead.”

He laughs as I stomp through my door and drag it closed behind me. I jog down the stairs and make a beeline through the bar.

“You put yourself in this cesspool of stupidity. Not my fault you made impulsive decisions. You’re the oldest of us all. You should have that shit under control already.”

“It wasn’t impulsive. It just wasn’t well thought out. There’s a difference.”

“Potato, potahto. Does anyone else know? Felix?”

“No. Just me, you, and Cordoza. Aubree knows Cordoza gave me an envelope that night of Felix’s wedding, but she has no clue what’s inside it.”

“Watch your back. If I’ve learned anything about these women, it’s that they like to get involved in shit they shouldn’t. If she hasn’t snuck a look at what’s in the envelope yet, she’s planning to. Chances are she’ll drag Minka into it, too. Then I’ll have to provide my wife with an alibi for your murder. The fewer fake alibis I have to create in my lifetime, the happier I’ll be.”

“How many fake alibis have you provided her so far?”

He scoffs. “That’s between me and God. Where are you going?”

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