Page 26 of Sinful Deception

Stunned, Fletch looks at Archer, who only shakes his head.They didn’t call him. But Felix is out here handing out orders like he’s in control of Copeland City, too.

“We got ice cream, Daddy! And we went to the basketball stadium so I could play with the team. Theactualteam,” she emphasizes. “The one’s on the TV sometimes. Did you know Cato is friendswifthem?”

“Yeah, baby. I knew.” Swallowing, he takes a step closer and looks at me, desperately searching for a buoy in stormy seas. “Um… I don’t…”

“I’ll do it.” I press my hand to his arm and gift him a small smile. Then, I look at Mia and allow it to grow a little higher. “Hey there, Moo. Aunty Minka and Uncle Archer are gonna come in and stay for dinner, too.”

“Really?” Her little eyes beam with excitement. “I love when we do that!”

“And then we’d like to talk to you about some stuff. But you don’t have to worry, okay?” I wander to the little girl and lowerinto a crouch until we’re on the same level. I don’t offer my hands, but she reaches out and grabs them anyway, still thrilled with her visitors and not at all thinking of her mother. “Daddy had a really tough day today. But no matter what, you’re safe, and you’re gonna be okay. Do you trust me?”

“Yes!” Oblivious, she rushes in and wraps her arms around my neck, squeezing tight and choking me in a hug that smooshes our cheeks together and the sweet smell of whatever sugary treat Cato gave her bursts from her lungs. “I always trust you, Minka. You’re always the kindest.” She pulls back with a snigger. “Except when you’re picking on Uncle Archer and Daddy. But that’s funny, so it’s okay.”

“Let’s come inside.” Cato rests his hand on Mia’s shoulder and gently brings her back. “I already got dinner organized, so we don’t have to order and wait. I figured it was best we be prepared.”

I look up at the boy who is forever immature and annoying. Except when he’s not. Because when he has to step up for his family—and Mia is definitely his family—he’s the most loyal, kindest, purest human being I’ve ever met. And I know Archer Malone. “Thanks for holding the fort.”

His lips quirk up to the side. “All good. Malones are experienced in discussing these sorts of matters.”

“Where’s Ms. Aubree?” Mia glances around us, past her father who remains too silent. Too heartbroken. Then she looks at me. “Aubree didn’t want to come to dinner, too?”

“She went home with Uncle Tim to rest for a little while.” I slowly push up to stand, but I fold my back and look into Mia’s perfect, honeyed eyes. “Aubree sends you a massive hug and kisses, though. She told me to give them to you and say they were from her. And she said she would see you tomorrow.”

“Okay!” She turns on her heels and dashes back into her apartment. “Can we watch Bluey while we have dinner? I like to watch Bluey.”

“Let’s get it done.” Archer takes my hand and twines his fingers with mine, but he turns back to Fletch, to ensure he’s coming. “Not telling her is the worst part,” he explains quietly. “Once it’s done, things will begin to heal.”

“Yeah.” Angry again, his moods spiking because of his exhaustion. He passes me and brushes by Cato, then he steps into his apartment and sighs. “Moo? Baby.” Slowly, he meanders toward the couch. “We have something really important to talk to you about, okay? Can you come over here?”

I release Archer’s hand, though he tries to hold on, and move to stand by Fletch’s left.

I’m here to help, even if it means reliving things I’d rather not.

ARCHER

We left Fletch’s place somewhere around midnight—me, Minka, and Cato—step-shuffling into the cold where Frank remained, waiting to drive us home. And then we hit our pillows about three minutes after walking through our door because it was going on more than twenty-something hours since Minka and I last slept, and exhaustion made it impossible for us to do anything else.

But now I wake to the early morning sunrise beating through our window. Minka dozes, her body wrapped over mine and her long, brown locks draped over my chest. Her ear rests on my heart and her lips, an inch from my nipple. Her dark lashes kiss her cheeks while she catches up on the rest she never got yesterday, but her skin is a little pale.

Her lips, not nearly as cherry red as normal.

We forgot to medicate her last night. But now that I’ve slept and my brain has had a moment to process, the things I didn’t do yesterday come crashing back into my consciousness.

Starting with Minka’s medication.

Remembering the search warrant I didn’t carry out.

And then, as my phone vibrates on the table beside my bed, I remember the call I was supposed to make.

But didn’t.

Which means Felix has come looking, just as promised.

Shit.I reach out blindly, feeling around for the phone and bringing it up to check the screen—his name, right there summoning me—then I answer and grumble an impatient “hang on” before I mute us both and slowly, carefully slide out from beneath Minka and extract myself without waking her.

She’ll be extra tired today because of her forgotten medication, which means that’s our first priority this morning. I drag myself out from beneath her body and take care to fix the covers so she doesn’t catch a chill, then turning from the bed, I snag a pair of jeans and step into the denim as I fist my phone and wander out of the room.

As soon as I’m in the hall and the door is closed, I unmute our call and bring the phone to my ear. “I’m here.”

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