Page 21 of Preacher

“Refueling you.”

“Oh.” She sits up, propping herself up against the headboard. My shirt falls off her shoulder, and I cannot help but feel satisfied at how fully claimed she is. “Why are you buttering me up?”

I set the pancakes in front of her. “This is all we have in the cabinets. I have an order of groceries being delivered later on today.”

She laughs. “The last time I received breakfast in bed I was sick.”

“I’ll be remedying that.” After setting the breakfast tray on her lap, I sit on the edge of the mattress.

“Have you heard from the others?” She cuts her pancakes and drizzles the maple on the neat squares.

“Not yet. But whatever the cops have must be flimsy, considering we know the truth.”

“I didn’t think you had beef with the RRR.” She looks up at me, and I sigh.

“We had an understanding for a long time, but things change. Someone is always trying to claw their way to the top. People get greedy.”

“You think this is a power grab?” she whispers.

“I’m not sure what to think at this point. But I wouldn’t rule it out.”

“And where does that leave me?” Her fork clinks against the plate as she sets it down heavily. “Because we can’t hide me forever. There are limits to what I’m willing to take.”

She’s drawing a clear line in the sand. I can respect it, but it won’t change a damn thing in the end.

Her brow creases. “You’re not saying anything.”

“I’m not,” I agree.

“Why—”

My phone buzzes in my pocket, saving me from the inevitable conversation that’ll put us at odds once more. Aries’ number makes me tense.

“I’ll be back.”

Standing, I leave the bedroom and return to the kitchen.

“Hello.”

“Grimm is back home. He allowed the detective to question him with a lawyer present. They’re grasping at straws, but his calm made him appear affable with nothing to hide. We cooperated because this feels like a move in a bigger game.”

“This never should’ve gotten past our boys at the station,” I mutter.

“It looks like the tides are shifting. We’re calling our contact in now to figure out why.” Aries sounds tired.

“What do you want me to do out here?”

“Get your girl ready to make a statement.” He sighs. “She’s going to have to go into the station.”

“The one we think is under enemy control?” I snap.

“We’ll send her in with our lawyers.”

I pace the length of the kitchen island. “And she’s to say what?”

“She was terrified for her life and ran. None of that’s false.”

“And her wound? I need all her bases covered. She’s no longer an acquaintance; she’s the woman I’ve chosen for myself. That makes this shit personal.”

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