“We almost crashed twice getting here,” Logan grumbles, but the corner of his mouth twitches. “Could’ve mentioned you had it handled, and she fell asleep.”
“Would it have stopped you from rushing home?” Nash asks, eyebrow raised.
“Fuck no,” we both answer, and for a moment, we’re all grinning at each other like idiots.
“I’m starving.” Nash pushes off the counter, heading for the pantry. “Eggs?”
“You and your midnight breakfast,” Logan snorts, hopping up to sit on the counter. His legs dangle like a kid’s, completely ruining his dangerous operative image. “So... details. We want them all.”
“Every single one,” I agree, leaning back against the island. “Don’t leave anything out.”
Nash pulls out eggs, bacon, and bread. “You really want me to spoil it?” The pan hits the burner with a soft clang. “Some things are better experienced firsthand.”
I growl low in my throat. “Bastard.”
“Trust me,” he layers the pan with bacon. “You’ll thank me later. But I will say this—she’s absolutely fucking perfect for us. All of us.” He pauses, spatula hovering. “The way she tastes, feels, purrs… fuck, I’m hard just thinking of it. And she took my knot so well, like she was made for this. For us.”
Logan’s phone buzzes, cutting through the moment. Julian’s name lights up the screen, and just like that, the mood shifts.
“Four calls now,” Logan mutters, declining it with more force than necessary. “Persistent fucker doesn’t know when to quit.”
Nash turns the bacon, the smell leaving me salivating. He cracks eggs one-handed into the pan, showing off like always.
“I already refunded his money,” I snap. The memory of Casey’s fear when she talked about him makes my fists clench. “What more does he want?”
Nash drops four pieces of toast into the long toaster. “He wants what he thinks belongs to him.”
“She doesn’t belong to him,” I snarl.
“No,” Nash agrees quietly. “She’s ours.”
“We deal with him tomorrow and pay him a visit to end this,” Logan says.
“We make it clear what happens if he doesn’t back off,” Nash adds.
The kitchen fills with the homey scent of his midnight snack, so normal it almost feels surreal given the conversation. Sliding his eggs and bacon onto toast, he takes his first bite.
“You volunteering for fieldwork? That’s new.” Logan teases. Tilting his head, he studies Nash. “Usually, can’t drag you away from your behind-the-scenes work.”
“Casey changes things.” He shrugs, but there’s steel underneath the casual gesture. “None of us are who we were before her. Even if it’s been about a week since she joined us, I intend to protect her.”
“True enough,” I admit.
“Speaking of Casey, one of us needs to stay with her tomorrow,” Logan states, glancing at both of us.
“Me,” I say instantly, not even trying to hide my eagerness. Nash glares, and Logan chokes on his beer, laughing. “Hey, Nash practically volunteered just then.”
Nash still wears that insufferable grin. “You sure? I’ve got more experience with her now to easily keep her calm and?—”
“Not happening in this lifetime,” I cut him off. “You two get to play intimidation squad. I’ll stay with Casey.”
Nash just glares at me while devouring the rest of his meal. Then he sets his empty plate in the sink, turning to face us fully. “You sure that’s how we want to play this? I could try to dig up enough dirt to bury him quietly. No mess, no traces.”
“We try talking first because he’s the kind of bastard who will wriggle out of most shit. I want him out of our way now, not once things kick into motion. The job is over so he can now fuck off,” Logan declares.
My mind’s already spinning contingencies. Julian has connections in places we’d rather not stir up. The wrong move could bring down heat none of us need.
“But if he forces our hand...”