Page 70 of Built of Illusions

“So, you’re leaving? For Midnight Security?”

Nico shrugged. “I have to talk to Josie still. It’s been a whirlwind couple of days and I thought we could use a few days to settle before I throw moving across the country at her.”

Roman nodded. “Especially when she just bought her first house. That’s a pretty big deal.”

It really was. Especially for a woman who’d never had anything of her own. And at Midnight Lake, they’d be sharing a house with the team. Although he knew Tansy would let him have a cabin if they wanted. He hadn’t checked any of them over, didn’t know what kind of shape they were in or how much work it would be to upgrade them.

He sighed. “She’d need an art space for sure, too. And there’s not much of an art scene in the middle of the woods.” Maybe she’d hate the idea of moving. What would he do then? He hadn’t made the commitment to leave the FBI, but his heart was ready for the leap.

Roman grinned. “You’re a smart guy. You’ll figure it out. I think you’re good together.”

Nico nodded. He did too, but an outside viewpoint was always good. Especially when it was from a man he trusted with his life. Maybe he’d talk Roman into moving out there when the time was right.

He shook off all the doubts. He and Josie would figure it out. “I’m bringing supper to her house after work. We’ll start talking about it then. For now, let’s focus on wrapping up Nelson.”

Wrapping up a case was a tedious task. The files needed to be updated with every detail. It was meticulous and boring as hell. No one joined the FBI because they’d fallen in love with paperwork.

Nico had joined because he’d wanted to help people, like his parents did. He’d always found people fascinating. Watching the kids move through his parents’ home, he’d become really good at figuring out what people would do and why.

Getting those psychology and psychiatry degrees had been natural. As had joining the FBI with his two best buddies. He was proud of the job he’d been doing for the past decade.

But he was ready to try something new. He could easily create some profiling courses for Midnight Security. Bodyguards would benefit from the ability to profile both their clients and prospective attackers. Knowing how to read more than the surface of a person was a huge skill he knew a lot about.

What else could he contribute?

Research skills. Putting together a case with clues. Would those be things the team would want to add? He really needed to sit down with Sam and the team. Find out more about the vision. Find his own place within that vision.

Shoving aside the questions and the worries about the future, Nico focused on working with Roman to tie up every loose end so that there was no way Nelson would ever squirm his way out of a cage.

By the time their boss called them for a press conference, his head was throbbing and all he wanted was Josie. Press conferences made his teeth ache. His grandmother’s ring got him through it without ripping the head off any reporters asking stupid questions.

Finally, they packed up for the night and Nico texted Josie that he was on the way. He picked up Thai food and rushed across town.

Over the past few weeks, they’d spent more time together than apart and he’d missed her today. His heart raced in anticipation of her smile.

He really had it bad.

Josie nearly knocked over her easel when her phone beeped with a text. She’d been lost in the painting and she’d turned up the phone’s volume so she wouldn’t miss a call or a text from Nico. She didn’t want him worrying about her after everything they’d gone through.

It had felt odd coming back to her little house after the time in Vermont. She hadn’t lived here long enough for it to truly feel like home. Strangely, Midnight Lake felt more like home than anywhere she’d lived.

The text told her Nico was stopping for food and would be there soon. Her smile was automatic and huge.

Ridiculous that she missed him so damn much after only a few hours. She decided to just finish one detail on the painting and then she’d clean up.

The knock on the door had her squealing before Nico called through. “Hey Josie, it’s me.”

So much for cleaning up. She unlocked and opened the door. She’d have to get an extra key made for him.

“Nice look. I approve.” Nico’s growl had her nerve ends firing.

“I was going to clean up, but I got caught up in the painting.”

Nico grinned and kicked the door shut behind him. Then he handed her a takeout bag and turned to engage all the locks. Next, he strode to the front window and closed the curtains tightly.

He turned back and stalked toward her. “Missed you.”

She laughed. “I was just thinking the same—”

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