Page 48 of Dangerous Lies

He nodded. “Find a place. I’m going to go jump in the shower.”

* * *

Rose’s cheekshurt from laughing so hard. She’d never had so much fun sitting around with women and talking.

Siena, Casper’s wife, Lucy, Cy’s wife, and Yair, who had just married Doc, had visited. Grim couldn’t make it. She was at Rogue Mercenary. Lucy had brought the most amazing cupcakes, and Rose was sure they would hype up her son for the rest of the day, but she didn’t care.

The women didn’t even flinch when she told them what she did for a living or that she collected insects and spiders. Instead, they wanted to see her collection. Siena asked if she would talk to some of the kids at Sunny High School about career options. Rose had to blink back the tears.

“So, when is the wedding?” Siena asked and looked down at Rose’s ring.

“We got engaged last night, and we’ve only dated for a month. I think we need to take some time. There is still so much up in the air.”

Lucy frowned. “Cy told me the way Ginger looks at you. He’s not going to wait. I wouldn’t be surprised if he drags you down to the courthouse or flies you to Vegas like we did.”

Rose didn’t need a big wedding. Ginger had mentioned his parents lived on a farm in Texas, and they planned to go visit once the danger passed. His mom had FaceTimed with them a couple of times. She was uber excited to spoil Tyler in person. Rose had worried the women would hate her for keeping Tyler a secret. It wasn’t like she knew who the father was until a month prior, but she should have pushed her sister to tell her more information.

“Maybe soon. I really don’t know. Everything happened so fast.”

Yair smiled. “Doc and I danced around our feelings, and then our relationship accelerated from zero to a hundred in a day. These men know what they want, and they go after it.”

Siena leaned forward and grabbed some cheese and crackers. “Casper and I were wondering if you wanted us to take Tyler for the night.” She held up her hands. “I know you don’t know me well, but I think you and Ginger could use some time together. Everyone is meeting at our house for the monthly BBQ tomorrow. You guys could drive over for the BBQ and you can pick him up then. He would have fun with Mia and the other kids.”

Rose had never let her son have a sleepover before. Britt had told her it was too dangerous to let her son out of her sight for a night. That she never knew what the person’s intentions were or if it was a way to get to her. She knew her son missed his friends in Vegas and hadn’t played with any other kids in a month. Ginger’s teammates she felt safe around and she knew her son would be well protected.

“I think that will be fine.”

She hoped that was the right decision.

An idea to surprise Ginger with a nice dinner at home and her for dessert came to mind. She no longer wanted to get out of the house if she and Ginger could have one night to themselves.

“What do I need to bring to the BBQ?” She didn’t want to admit this was her first time being invited to a party.

How had she made it to twenty-nine and missed out on so much?

“Nothing,” Siena said. “Casper’s nephew Zack is back for the weekend. He’s in culinary school and practices his new dishes on us. We’ll have more food than we will know what to do with. He’s used to cooking for his uncle and his teammates.”

Lucy pulled out her phone from her purse. “What is your number so we can add you to our group chat? This way, you can stay updated on everything.”

Rose swallowed past the lump of emotions in her throat and rattled off her number. Her phone dinged. Then, it dinged again. She pulled it out of her pocket and read Grim’s message in the chat:Welcome to the cool side.

Tears welled in Rose’s eyes.

“Don’t cry.” Yair placed a hand on her shoulder. “I know this is a lot to get used to. Like the men, we have each other. For years, my husband at the time held me captive along with his four other wives. They didn’t have each other’s back, but in this room, we do. The guys go on missions, and we support each other.”

“You barely know me, and I’m strange.” Rose couldn’t understand why this group of women just opened their arms to her.

Lucy snorted. “You don’t get to label yourself as strange. Hell, from the rumors, the guys say Grim holds the highest assassination count for the CIA. We’ve never asked her because she doesn’t like to talk about it. Terri, who couldn’t make it today, is the President’s daughter. We all have pasts, but we don’t judge, only support, and if that means I have to send you spider cupcakes, I will.”

Siena’s watch beeped. “Time flew by. I need to head back and pick Mia up from her playdate. We’ll see you tomorrow.”

Rose strode down the hall to get her son and see if he wanted to go to Siena’s house. He packed in less than a minute and followed the woman out of the house. Rose had to demand a hug, or he would have run right by her.

She closed the door and let out a sigh. Ginger had changed her life for the better. She had a man who loved her and now, she had friends.

She grabbed the glasses off the end table and took them to the kitchen. Rose reached for the plates as there was a knock on the door.

Maybe one of the women forgot something. She didn’t look before she swung open the door. A face she hadn’t seen in person for years stood on the other side of the threshold. He’d aged, but she still recognized his brown eyes, except they were duller. She reached for the door, but he shoved himself in. Behind him, Evan followed with a gun pointed at her.

---