Page 52 of Wilde and Deadly

“Okay,” Davey agreed. “Get Sullivan and Brody looped in. We’re meeting at the West 82nd apartment, twenty hundred. Keep it under the radar.”

Elliot nodded, pulling out his phone to start making calls. Dominic was already tapping away on his, presumably texting Sabin.

Davey turned to Rowan. “You good with this plan?”

She inhaled sharply, let the breath go in a rush, then nodded. “It’s a start. But we need to move fast. Whoever’s behind this won’t wait forever to make another attempt.”

A comforting thought.

His gaze traced down her body. As much as he appreciated the way the tight top clung to her breasts, he was worried. He let his hand brush the strip of bare skin at her back and leaned in, lowering his voice. “Are you okay? Did we pop any stitches?”

Rowan shook her head, a small smile playing at her lips. “I’m fine. Bled a little, but your stitching held up well.”

“It wasn’t my handiwork. It was my cousin’s.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Which cousin? You have, like, a gazillion.”

“I only have nine.”

Used to be ten, until Brennan…

He shut down that line of thought before it put the familiar lump of grief in his throat and added, “It was Tessa.”

“Only nine,” she scoffed. “Know how many I have? Three.”

“Sounds peaceful.”

“Oh, it is.” She wrinkled her nose. “Unless you start counting the kids of all my honorary uncles. Then… not so much.”

Davey chuckled softly, his thumb tracing small circles on her lower back. The tension in her muscles eased under his touch. He wanted to pull her close, to shield her from whatever was coming, but he knew she’d bristle at the overprotectiveness.

“All right, lovebirds,” Dominic called out, breaking the moment. “Sabin’s in. If we’re done here, I’m gonna head home and sleep before tonight’s super-secret spy meeting.”

“You’re the only man I know who can down a double shot of espresso and then go to sleep,” Elliot said, not looking up from his phone.

“What can I say? It’s a gift.” Dom shrugged and headed toward the door. He paused at the threshold and glanced back. For a moment, it seemed he was going to say something more, but he just shook his head slightly and left without uttering a sound.

Elliot pocketed his phone. “Brody and Sullivan are in. They’ll meet us there.” His gaze lingered on Rowan, still wary, but he didn’t voice his concern. “I have to go into the office for a few hours. I assume you’re working from home today?”

Davey nodded, grateful for Elliot’s restraint. He was too tired to go another round with him right now. “Yeah. We’ll see you tonight.”

As Elliot turned to go, Davey hesitated, then called after him. “Wait. Can you drop Luka off at Mom and Dad’s on your way to the office? They’re not going back to Virginia until the end of the month, right? I don’t know how long this is gonna take, and I don’t want him here if this place isn’t safe.”

Elliot sighed, adjusting his glasses before glancing at the dog curled up on the couch. Luka’s ears twitched, but he didn’t lift his head.

“Yeah, I’ll take him. C’mon, Luka. Let’s go for a ride.” He whistled softly, and the dog hopped off the couch, stretching indulgently before padding over to bump his head against Davey’s leg.

“Sorry, I can’t go, buddy.” Davey crouched, rubbing behind his ears for a moment before kissing the black spot on his forehead. “Be good. I’ll come get you as soon as I can.”

Luka gave a short wag of his tail.

Elliot picked up the leash hanging by the door, then shot Davey a look. “You owe me for this. Mom’s already mad enough you don’t visit. If I show up with your dog but not you, I’m dealing with that fallout.”

“Add it to my tab.”

Elliot just shook his head and, with Luka at his side, headed for the door. As he left, closing it behind him, Davey felt some of the tension drain from his shoulders.

At least Luka would be safe.

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