Page 85 of Wilde and Deadly

“Tomorrow,” he called after them. “Catch a few hours of sleep first.” Sullivan waved a hand over his head in acknowledgment without looking back, but Brody didn’t reply. He doubted they’d listen. Brody was too angry to take the night off.

Sabin and Liam followed them out.

“We’ll wait until morning to talk to Daphne,” Liam confirmed from the door.

“She’s probably awake,” Sabin protested. “Hell, I’m betting she’s still holed up in that computer lab, tapping away like she got the devil at her heels. Ain’t no such thing as quittin’ time for that one.”

Yeah, he was most likely right. Daphne was a workaholic like that. But as much as Davey wanted answersnow, he shook his head.

“I want you both to get some rest. If shit hits the fan like I think it’s going to, it might be the last quiet night we have for a while.” When the door closed behind them, he turned to Dom. “I don’t want you going home. The brownstone might not be secure. Go sit with Elliot at the hospital. Keep him safe and keep him from doing anything stupid.”

Dom grinned. “So, basically, be his babysitter? He’ll love that.”

“Tough shit. He’ll get over it. Just keep an eye on him and keep me updated on his condition.”

“Will do.” Dom headed toward the door but paused beside Davey, resting a hand on his shoulder. “Take your own advice tonight. Get some rest, brother. You look like hell.”

Davey nodded, but the weariness in his bones told him sleep wouldn’t come easy. As the door closed behind Dom, he turned to find Rowan had returned to the couch, her hazel eyes fixed on him with an intensity that made his skin prickle.

“What?” he asked, suddenly self-conscious.

“You’re not planning on getting any rest tonight, are you?”

He scrubbed both hands over his face and sighed. “There’s too much to do. I need to?—”

“What you need,” she said, cutting him off and rising from the couch, stepping closer, “is to take care of yourself.”

Her proximity was intoxicating, stirring up memories of heated nights and whispered promises. “I appreciate the concern, but I’m fine.”

Her eyes narrowed. “You’re exhausted, stressed, and carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders. Let me help.”

“How?” The word came out harsher than he intended, laced with frustration and fatigue.

She didn’t flinch. Instead, she reached out, her fingers ghosting along his jaw. “Let’s go to bed.”

Jesus, he wanted to. Wanted to lose himself in her warmth, her scent, the silky slide of her skin against his. For a moment, he let himself imagine it— tangling his fingers in her dark hair, tasting the salt on her neck, hearing those little gasps she made when he hit just the right spot.

“Ro, I can’t. I need to?—”

She pressed a finger to his lips, silencing him. “Shut up, Davey. You need to rest. Your mind needs a break. You won’t be any good to anyone if you’re running on empty.”

He caught her wrist, gently pulling her hand away from his face. “And how exactly is sex going to help me rest?”

A wicked smile curved her lips. “Who said anything about sex? I’m talking about actual sleep.”

He blinked, taken aback. “Oh.”

Rowan laughed, a rich, throaty sound that sent a shiver down his spine. “You look so disappointed.” She cupped his face in her hands and rose onto her toes to press a surprisingly chaste kiss on his lips.

Physical contact between them had always been electric— a sizzle that burned fast and hot and always left them both a little singed. But this kiss was different. Soft. Tender. It made his chest ache in a way he wasn’t prepared for.

When she pulled back, her eyes were serious. “Sex isn’t off the table, but it’s 5 a.m., and you’ve been going non-stop for over twenty-four hours. Longer, really, because the night before, as amazing as it was, we didn’t do much sleeping. You’re not a robot. You need sleep, Wilde. Real, restful sleep. And I’m going to make sure you get it.”

Davey hesitated, torn between the mountain of work waiting for him and the allure of rest—and Rowan. Her hands were still on his face, warm and grounding. He leaned into her touch, letting out a shaky breath.

“Come on,” she said softly and trailed a hand down his arm to entwine their fingers. “You know I’m right.”

twenty-one

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