Page 59 of Sinful Deception

“What makes you so fucking sure?” He slaps my arm away when I swipe for a third time. “I’m the slut, no? I love women.”

“You love Seraphina,” I taunt. Another point for me, because I usedthatword, and he sure as shit wasn’t ready for it. “You were begging her to talk to you, and now she is.” I throw my arm out, lightning-fast, and smash the side of his jaw until he spins. “No way you’re screwing that up again.”

“Fucking prick.” He swipes a thumb along the corner of his lip and collects a droplet of blood. “You’re really gonna send meto a funeral tomorrow with a busted face we can hardly explain to my daughter?”

“We can stop here.” But hell if I don’t bounce on my feet to stay light. Moving, in case he decides to charge. “Tell me who you’re secretly texting and what illegal shit you’re planning. I’d rather explain a busted lip to Mia than, ‘Daddy’s gone to prison, but the state will take care of you. Don’t worry, baby. He likes it when the big men fuck him in the ass in the showers. Consent isn’t a word in jail.’”

“I’m not going to prison.” He digs his fist up, planting it in my belly faster than I can see it coming, buckling me in half and following it with a knee, since I practically fucking walk into it. “Except, of course, after I kill Uncle Arch and do everyone a favor.”

I’m an asshole, I know.Yada yada yada.But I ball my fist and pound it directly over his healing bullet wound. And when he cries out at the fiery pain, I bounce back again with a grin. “I remember now. I don’t win these fights. But neither do you. In the end, we both walk away with something broken and bad attitudes.”

He heaves for fresh air, green in the face and sweat beading on his brow. Because I’m a dirty fighter. Though in my defense, he knew that already, so…

“I fucking hate you.” His breath whistles past bone-dry lips. “Fuck you, Malone.”

“I love you too. That’s why we do this.” And while he’s sick to his stomach, I stride forward and grab his hair to pull his face up, his glittering eyes struggling to focus on mine. “What stupid thing are you doing? Let me in so I can help.”

“So you have no issue with the thing,” he pants. “You just hate being left out.”

“I have a problem with my best friend making poor choices while he’s vulnerable.” I push him back till he’s sitting on theedge of his bed. Then I lower into a crouch and brush away the guilt bubbling in my belly, because nausea rolls in his and sweat trickles over his temple.

Bullet wounds fucking hurt.

Being jabbed in a bullet wound is… next level.

“Talk to me, or we’ll fight about it. Either I’ll keep you so fucking wrapped up in this discussion that you won’t have time to do the thing you’re planning to do, or you’ll tell me what’s up, and I can help you make the plan safer and smarter. Unfortunately for you, those are the only choices you have. Fortunately,” I add with a mocking smile, “you have me, ready and willing to lend a helping hand.”

“You’re a prick.” He claps my arm away and lets his head droop, dragging air into his lungs and gently kneading his thigh—around, but not touching the wound I’ve fucked up. “I’m looking for Booth,” he wheezes. “He needs to be off the streets.”

“You said you trusted Elen and Balladae to take care of it.”

“I trust that they’re trying. Doesn’t mean I can’t try, too.”

“And when you find him, you’ll, what? Hand him over to the detectives and walk away?”

He only shrugs, swiping the sweat from his brow. “I’m open to whatever options may present themselves to me.”

“Right.” I scoff. “So, have you found him yet? Got any leads?”

He shakes his head and lowers his hand again. “Whispers, only. I’m trying not to let it consume me, but if someone has information, then I read the text and handle whatever needs handling.”

“So you’ve got CIs on the streets looking for him? You’re stressing about money, but palming fifties every time someone sends you a text?”

“I’m flush with money,” he groans, though his lips curl into a devilish sneer. “Seems I’ve had a windfall lately, and I don’tmind spending your money to put Jada’s killer behind bars. Mia deserves to know it’s taken care of.”

“Mia doesn’t even understand a person hurt her mother, you dumb fuck! She’s running with theMommy was sickthing, and by the time she’s old enough to ask questions and figure this out, ten years will have passed, and Booth’s asshole will be split wide open in Gen Pop. Why the rush now?”

“Because I don’t know what else to do!” He massages his thigh and groans. “I’ve done everything else, Arch. I’ve planned the funeral and ironed Mia’s dress and prepped a healthy breakfast so we don’t crash in the morning. I’ve let Aubree and Minka mother me, and even Sera is back in my life. There’s nothing else to do but take care of Booth.”

“You could try grieving. You could try just existing, right here in this moment with us. You could let Minka and Aubree coddle you some more, and maybe even let Fifi know she’s not shit stuck to the bottom of your shoe. You insulted her, you begged for her to come back. Now she’s back, and you’re acting like she smells of dog fart.”

He chuckles, desperate and sad.

“You don’t have to solve this crime, Fletch. You can just be you, spend time with your baby, and flirt with Fifi a little to let her know she’s worth something. Sheclearlyhas trauma that revolves around her mother treating her like shit. So if you think she’s gonna stick for anything less than fuckingdevoted, then you’re gonna be sorely disappointed. She loves your daughter, but she could do just fine without you. So you better think long and hard about what you want, and then start acting like it. Because she’ll walk, and you won’t get another chance at her again.”

“Excuse me fornotthinking about how to woo a woman the night before burying my ex-wife. I have other things on my mind, clearly.”

“You don’t get to useburying my ex-wifeas an excuse if you’re not even spending that time healing and processing. Hunting Booth down and sneaking texts in, not even letting your friends be a part of it, means you have time and mental capacity to multi-task. You’re focusing on the wrong shit.”

---