Page 123 of Mensa's Match

The silence between us felt unusual and heavy. “I know I shouldn’t ask this, but what’s happening with Rod? Was he threatening Donny’s son? And did they figure out which Corrupt Chrome member burned down the restaurant?”

“Slow down, Whit,” he whispered.

I grinned. “What can I say? I’m curious.”

He nodded. “Rod is under arrest, and will be taken for processing once he’s discharged. He threatened to hurt Demetrius Barlow according to what I gathered. I shouldn’tshare this with you, so you better keep it to yourself. As for the restaurant, the security footage from Twisted Talons pointed to three members of Corrupt Chrome. It’s being reported in the press, that at least one of them confessed to the fire at DeeLight’s. Your friend isn’t a person of interest any more.”

“Thank goodness,” I breathed.

“Your purse was recovered at the scene. It’s in evidence.”

Between the drugs and the late hour, his words confused me. “Okay. Why are you telling me this?”

“There was a tracking device in your big-ass bag.”

“It’s a Boho bag,” I said reflexively.

“Whatever. That’s how he knew you were at the UPS store. This isn’t the time, but in the morning, think back. Did you have that bag when he cornered you at the mall? That’s good information to have.”

“I did, but nothing was taken from my apartment after the break-in.” I paused. “In fact, Mensa thought something might have been planted – the tracking device could be it. I switch purses for karaoke night, and I didn’t switch back until the day I went to the mall. The same day Rod showed up again."

Wyatt nodded. “I’ll pass that along.”

“Are you headed back to Jackson?” I asked.

“In a couple days. Got some reports to finish.” He tipped his head toward Mensa. “Are you really sure about him?”

I gave his hand a squeeze. “Yes, very. When I found myself taped to a chair, I didn’t know what was going to happen next. My life didn't exactly flash before my eyes, but there are a ton of things Ihaven’tdone yet.” I tipped my head toward Mensa. “He’s the one for me, and he wants the same thing.”

“Exact same number of kids?”

I stared at Wyatt for a beat. “You know that isn’t something anyone can plan right down to the exact number. He wants a family. We’re around the same age, and I really love it here.There are still some things I have to learn about Aunt Nadia’s business, but at a minimum I can keep that going, and I believe I can make it grow.”

Wyatt stared past me at Mensa. “He could get arrested at any time.”

I resisted tilting my head since that caused me pain earlier. “If he breaks the law, you’re right. But I’ve yet to see him do anything like that. I haven’t seen any of the Riot brothers do that.”

Wyatt leaned forward. “Thought he held Rod at knife-point in front of you?”

I twisted my lips and slid my eyes to the side for a beat. “You got me there, but you’d have shoved Rod up against the wall or done something violent to get him away from me, too. I distinctly remember you being pleased that Mensa did that.”

My twin sighed. “Your memory is a real pain the ass sometimes.”

I chuckled quietly. “Besides, weren’t you the one who told me that if he’d broken the law, he’d have been caught by now?”

“Yeah. I’m gonna trust you about him. I’m just concerned.”

My brows drew together. “What are you concerned about?”

Wyatt scoffed. “You wereverysure about the FBI, and you resigned. He does it for you now… are you sure that’s gonna last?”

“Nobody has a crystal ball, Wyatt. But love is entirely different from a career choice. Not to be all sappy, but he makes my heart sing. Plus, a relationship is a two-way street. You’ve been perennially allergic to those, but he and I work.”

He nodded. “All right. Gonna let you get some sleep. If you’re lucky, they’ll discharge you tomorrow morning.”

“From your lips to God’s ears,” I whispered.

He stood, leaned over, and kissed my forehead. “Goodnight, sis.”

---