Page 84 of Happily Never After

Heat crept into her cheeks. She swooped in and kissed him. “Thank you.”

They collected the wineglasses and carried them to the living room.

“So,” Claire said, handing a glass to her sister, “we have a proposition.”

Brianna shook her head. “No.”

Luke frowned. “What do you mean, no?”

She tapped a finger on her glass. “I know what you’re going to offer, and it’s so sweet of you. But I’m not going to bring more danger to your door. They want both of us.” She gestured between herself and Claire. “If I moved in here with you, they would just toss a flashbang through the window and take us both.”

Claire cleared her throat. “I love you, but that logic is bullshit. What’s to stop them from doing that right now? Or any day for that matter?”

Bri pursed her lips. “I really appreciate what you’re trying to do. But when I’m not filming, I need my space. I’ll schedule another round of security interviews tomorrow. I promise.”

Claire huffed. So there was a bit of stubborn old Jack in Brianna after all. She couldn’t very well force her sister to move in with them, especially since they were leaving again in a few weeks. But Brianna was the only one in their family with nolive-in partner. Even in her fancy gated community, she was in danger at all times.

“I wish there was something we could do,” Brianna said quietly. “About ESA and everything. I know Dad says they’re working on it, but it really doesn’t feel like progress.”

Claire sat next to her and drew her legs up into her chest. She would leave Brianna’s living situation alone. For now. But she was definitely going to demand hourly proof of life texts. “I’m going to take a wild guess that Jack hasn’t shared the news with you.”

“What news?”

“We kind of broke into an ESA house and found a clue.”

Her eyes came alive. “Tell me everything.”

Claire explained their discovery and pulled up the document where she had compiled information on the conference.

“So I told Jack everything. And all he said was they’re ‘aware’ of the conference. Isn’t that bullshit?”

“I’m sure they’re planning to plant some agents there.” Brianna stared pensively at Rosie, as if the secrets of the universe were wound between the fibers of her double coat.

“It’s not good enough.” Luke set his glass down hard on an end table. The table wobbled.

Claire stared blankly back at him. “What do you mean? The wine? I love an Australian cab.”

He shook his head. “No. The FBI response. I’ve been thinking about it, and I decided I’m going to the convention.”

Brianna and Claire exchanged a glance. Claire’s stomach twisted at the thought of him in danger. Luke had been team “leave it to the FBI” for months. What was with the sudden change of heart?

He stood and bent down to put a hand on the table. It wobbled again. “I’m tired of these assholes messing with people I care about. The FBI hasn’t done anything to protect either oneof you, and I’m not going to keep waiting around for them to track them all down. I’m going undercover, and I’m going to that convention.”

Claire shook her head. “No, you’re not. Are you kidding me? They’ll recognize you in an instant, and then they’ll abduct you just to torture me.”

He scoffed. In seconds, he had taken everything off the end table and flipped it upside down. “No, they won’t.”

“Then I’m coming undercover with you,” she blurted.

“No, you’re not,” he said flatly. “No offense, but no one could mistake you for a man.” He glanced at her chest.

“I’m going too,” Brianna proclaimed.

“No, you’re not,” Luke and Claire said in unison.

“You’re too recognizable. Besides, you’ll probably be shooting,” Claire said.

“Shit. Right. Work. Can you at least FaceTime me during? I’m a little offended that I wasn’t included in the Code Purple at the ESA house.” Brianna took a sip from the glass that Luke offered and grimaced. “Sorry, still getting used to dry wines.”

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