Kinga was waiting in the hotel lobby when Tally and Cash arrived back from the police station.

“What happened?” she said, clambering to her feet.

“They cautioned him. He was lucky.”

Cash sucked on his knuckles, still bloodied and grazed despite Tally’s best attempts to patch him up. “How did Martinez get in?”

Kinga shrugged. “We weren’t vetting them, Cash.”

“Well, we should have been,” he said, glaring at Kinga.

“It’s not Kinga’s fault,” Tally said, hitting him with a hard stare. “Look, everyone in the business knows Martinez is a snake. All he did today was prove it.”

“Yeah, and sort out his retirement fund courtesy of yours truly.” Cash shook his head. “Still,” he added with a smirk, “it was worth it. Even if he gets his nose fixed on my money, I’ll always have the memory of it splattered halfway across his face.” He outright laughed then. “Fucker.”

Kinga did her best to act as if she disapproved, but her twitching lips gave her away. “Right, well, if it’s all right with you, I’m going to head off home. When are you flying to Rome?”

“Tomorrow,” Cash said. “Hey, have you heard how Anatoly got on?”

“He won. Straight sets.”

“Grand. I’ll give him a call later.”

“I bet he’ll be much more interested in hearing about your exploits than talking about his.” She kissed Tally on the cheek. “I should be in Rome by Sunday afternoon, but I’ll let you know if I get caught up.”

“Thanks for everything, Kinga,” Cash said, his tone the warmest yet since she had rejoined the team. “You’ve been amazing.”

“Seconded,” Tally said.

Kinga shrugged. “I told you. My job is anything you need it to be.”

Cash slung an arm around her shoulders and kissed her temple. Kinga blushed. Cash’s acceptance of her as a part of the team again had given her a new confidence, and as he walked Kinga to the hotel entrance, Tally noticed she was standing taller.

Once Kinga had left, they went up to their hotel suite. As soon as they were inside, Cash waved his phone at Tally and grimaced. “Better call Mother.”

“You’ll need this,” she said, passing him a tissue. When he frowned, she giggled. “For your bleeding ears.”

Cash laughed and disappeared into the bedroom. He reappeared about five minutes later and collapsed onto the sofa, his eyes fixed on the ceiling. He blew out a heavy breath. “Did I say it was good to have a mother again?”

“Bollock you, did she?” Tally said.

“I had to remind her I wasn’t a child.”

“To her, it must seem like you still are.”

“I hadn’t thought of that.” Cash’s brow briefly creased. “I was holding my own until she used the D word.”

Tally tilted her head. “What’s the D word?”

“Disappointed.”

“Ah.” Tally laughed. “It’s a great tactic. Pete’s used it on me over the years, particularly when I was working on my degree and wasn’t knuckling down. Sure does the trick.”

Cash teased at his scruff with his fingertips. “Do you think I was wrong to hit him?”

“It wasn’t the smartest move.” She placed a hand on his arm. “I know you don’t care what the press say about you, and I get that. But it’s not only you anymore.”

He gave a long, low sigh. “I know.” He reached for her hand and brought it to his lips. “That’s the last time, I promise.”

“Is Rachael okay, though? Apart from having Rocky Marciano for a son.”

Cash grinned. “Yeah, she’s fine. Not even a sniff of the press. Isaac’s all over it if any do turn up.”

“I’m glad he’s there.”

“Me too. Guess I’ll be in the papers again tomorrow.”

“Yep. Steel yourself.”

Cash raised his eyebrows. “You don’t think Martinez is planning a cosy fireside article?”

Tally laughed. “I’m glad you’re seeing the funny side.”

“As long as he steers clear of saying anything about you or my mother. Because if he does, I’ll make it my life’s work to ruin the fucker.”

Tally’s eyes widened. “Is that why you went for him today? Because he made out I couldn’t write for shit?”

Cash shrugged. “Of course.”

“Oh, Cash.” She shook her head. “I thought it was because he pushed you on what happened with your dad.”

Cash’s eyes sparked with annoyance. “When he said what he did, I saw red. He can say whatever he likes about me. It’ll be old news soon. But I won’t have him dissing you.”

She rested her head on his shoulder. He might have gone about protecting her in the wrong way, but she couldn’t deny the warmth spreading through her limbs.