“How’s it going with you and Marcus?” Lyla asked as they strolled through the mall.

“It’s going great,” Carmen said.

“God, I love him. I’m so happy you guys are together.”

“We’re not—”

“Yeah, yeah. You’re friends with benefits. How many times are you gonna say that?”

“As many times as it takes for you to get it.”

“You and Marcus aren’t friends with benefits.”

“We are!”

“You’re in a relationship. Why are you two dancing around it?”

“We’re just having fun.”

“Oh, my God, you’re killing me,” Lyla groaned. “You care about him. You talk about him all the time, and you freaking play house.”

“I should be looking for a new place actually. The Black Vipers are probably all dead. Nothing’s happened for months!”

“Gavin said we should still be cautious.” Lyla cast a pointed look behind them at the ten guards following in their wake, a crowd of assassins itching for action. They didn’t look happy to be holding shopping bags.

“He’s such a drama queen. What did he say when you told him we’re throwing a dinner party at your house tonight?”

“He grumbled, but I told him he would get lucky later, so he gave in.”

“Of course, he did.” She patted Lyla’s stomach. “Is there a new niece in there yet?”

Lyla slapped her hand away. “Cut it out! You’re just as bad as he is.”

She clapped as she jumped up and down. “Are you trying?”

“No!” Lyla growled.

“Why not?”

“Nora’s not even one!”

“So?”

“I’m fine with just her. She’s a handful.”

“She is.”

Lyla bit her lip. “How do you think your mom’s doing with her?”

“She’s fine. Besides, she has Marv and Maddie there too.”

“Right.” Lyla blew out a breath. “It’s still hard to leave her. It’s been almost four months, and I still wake up, thinking that fuck is still out there.”

“Me too,” she admitted.

“What do you do about it?”

“Fuck Marcus’s brains out.”

Thank God for Marcus. She didn’t know how she would have survived the past three months without him. Some days were harder than most, but he had been there for each bump in the road. On the nights when she couldn’t bear to be alone, she went to him on The Strip and worked her demons out in his suite. Since the night of her purge, he had become more dominant and demanding in bed, which suited her just fine.

“I do that to Gavin, but he’s not home in the mornings, that ass,” Lyla said.

“What do you do?”

“I’ve started running on the treadmill.”

“It shows. You look great.”

Lyla smiled and ran her hand though her shiny blond locks. “Gavin thinks we’re ridiculous for throwing a dinner party just because we feel like it.”

“We’re celebrating that fucker’s three-month death anniversary.” It was a struggle for all of them. No one could survive years of death and uncertainty and shrug it off so easily. It was important to regroup and celebrate the small victories. “Although I’m not surprised Gavin made a fuss. He doesn’t have a social gene in his body.” She steered Lyla into a jewelry shop. “I haven’t bought bling in a while.”

They peered in the glass cases and acknowledged the eager saleswoman with polite smiles.

“You should ask Gavin for something,” she said.

“We’re going to Bora Bora in two days,” Lyla said.

“So? He’s a billionaire. He has cash to burn.”

Lyla laughed. “If I start asking him for jewelry, he might get me something daily.”

She bumped her cousin with her hip. “And what’s wrong with that? You need to train him.”

“Train him,” Lyla repeated dubiously. “Do you not know my husband?”

Carmen grinned. “I’m just saying. He’d do anything for you.”

“He’s nervous about leaving Angel,” Lyla confessed, “but we need a break. Mom’s out of the hospital and wants to be in a home by herself with just her nurses.”

“Your mom is …” She bit back her harsh words.

“I took Nora to see her, but she still turned us away.” Lyla sighed. “I need a break. He does too; he just doesn’t know it. It’ll be great, our first family trip. I hope we can relax and recharge.”

“Bora Bora is just what you guys need, and Mom and Marv will take care of the dogs.” She brought the dogs to Marcus’s house, but it had been a disaster. Beau and Honey were like two giddy elephants. They knocked over tables, vases, and they freaked out about the small yard. Mom and Marv offered to take the dogs, and it had been a much better fit. “They’re going have fun at Marv’s cabin in Utah. They’re leaving for their mini trip right after you.”

“I’m actually looking forward to this,” Lyla said.

“You should. I’d go with you if …”

“If Marcus could come too?” Lyla asked. “Sounds like you’re a couple.”

“Shut up. You know he’s never left Nevada?”

“So you keep telling me.”

“After Gavin comes back, I’m taking Marcus to see the ocean whether he wants to or not.”

“Sounds like something a couple would do.”

She shoved Lyla, who laughed delightedly. She hid her smile. Lyla teased her mercilessly about Marcus, and she denied the allegations just to be contrary. Everything with Marcus was going great. Better than great, actually. He had become her rock. It had been a challenging but rewarding three months. She cleaned up and sold their family home. Saying goodbye to her childhood and her father who was embedded into every room of that house was emotionally taxing. Mom was relieved it was taken care of and had officially moved in with Marv. She had dinner at Marv’s house every other Sunday. Maddie and Levi came as well, and it was something she had come to look forward to. Marcus even made it to one of the dinners. Marv approved of him but no surprise there. There was nothing objectionable about Marcus. Mom was over the moon about her and Marcus even though she cautioned her that they were casually seeing each other. Of course, Mom didn’t listen.

Marcus was a busy man, but he always seemed genuinely happy to see her. He never made her feel as if she was interrupting or being too clingy. They led separate lives that intersected here and there. They were amazingly compatible in and out of bed. Three months into their affair, and he was as sweet and affable as ever. He was so fucking cute. She kept doing things to rile him—provoking him sexually usually backfired because he wasn’t submissive in the bedroom, and she loved it.

Besides selling her family home, she reconnected with old friends, went back to pole dancing workouts, coaxed Lyla out of the house, trained with Blade, checked on her business ventures, and fucked Marcus’s brains out. With no action from the Black Vipers, she was down to one guard a day. Mickey didn’t mind and had become an enjoyable companion. Frederick was a grump and ignored her as much as possible. She forced him to do fast food runs just to irritate him.

Carmen paused in front of a glass case that held a necklace fit for a royal. The necklace glittered like a fallen star and silently begged to be worn. Diamond encrusted leaves gave way to a pear-shaped drop diamond that was extra as fuck. She stared at it long enough to get the sales woman’s attention.

“You have excellent taste, ma’am,” she said eagerly.

“I know,” Carmen said with a wink. “May I see it?”

“Of course.”

The saleswoman set the necklace on the counter. It sparkled like a living, breathing thing on black velvet.

“This is a three-carat diamond.” The sales clerk gestured to the massive pendant.

Carmen lifted the heavy necklace and put it on. She posed in a massive mirror. Her off the shoulder rock band top and ripped jeans clashed with the elegant piece, but she didn’t care. She took a breath, which made the necklace sparkle and shine. Her updo showed off the necklace to perfection.

“It’s amazing,” she said reverently.

“It sure is. Are you attending something special?”

“Always.” Diamonds made every day special. Just the other night, she decked herself out in almost every piece of jewelry she had while she soaked in the tub. This necklace would be her crowning glory. It had been years since she’d added a new piece to her collection.

She pulled out her phone and took a selfie. She sent the picture to Marcus and bounced on her tiptoes as she waited for a response.

“Of course, you had to pick the most expensive thing in the shop,” Lyla said as she joined her. She shook her head ruefully. “You look amazing.”

“Of course, I do. Diamonds love me, and I love them.” She fiddled with her phone. “Do you know if Marcus and Gavin are in a meeting?”

“I have no idea. Why?”

“I just sent Marcus a picture.”

Lyla frowned. “Okay …?”

“I want to see if he likes it.”

Her face lit up. “You send him pictures of what you want, and he buys it for you like Vinny?”

She froze. In her excitement, she reverted to an old game she used to play with her husband. She would go shopping and send him pictures of things she wanted. He would send his assistant to buy the items and present them to her gift wrapped. She would gush about his excellent taste and thank him for being so thoughtful. It was a habit, one she fell back on without even realizing it.

“Carmen?” Lyla touched her arm. “What is it?”

“Help me take it off,” she whispered.

“Okay.” Lyla unclasped it and held both ends of the beautiful necklace. “Are you going to get it?”

“Thank you for letting me try it on,” she said to the confused and disappointed clerk.

Lyla surrendered it and took her hand as they walked out of the shop.

“What was that about?” Lyla asked.

“Old habits die hard,” she said and tried to play off her blunder. Her phone chimed, and she clenched her teeth.

“Are you gonna check if that’s him?”

“No.”

“Does he buy you gifts?”

“No. Why would he? We’re just friends … and I have my own money.”

“Of course, you do, but that’s not the point, right?”

“I need something sweet,” she said and steered Lyla into an ice-cream parlor.

Mickey and another guard accepted her offer to buy them ice cream while the others turned her down with poorly concealed impatience. She ignored them and licked an ice-cream cone overflowing with chocolate, sprinkles, and bits of brownie.

They parted ways shortly after. It wasn’t until Mickey was driving her home to get ready for the party that she glanced at her messages. Marcus responded, You look beautiful. She tossed the phone in her purse and stared out the window. Marcus wasn’t Vinny. She knew that, though, there were definitely similarities between the two men. They were both reserved, easygoing, affectionate. On the surface, Vinny appeared confident, but that was a carefully preserved image he worked hard to maintain. With Marcus, she couldn’t discern any weakness. He showed no signs of fatigue, frustration, anger. She was drawn to his strength and steadfast calm. No matter her mood, he never missed a beat. If she wanted to be in control, he was happy to give up the reins. If she wanted to be dominated, he was happy to oblige. He countered everything she did with an ease that stunned her. No man had ever been able to keep up with her. Vinny didn’t even try. He just allowed her to be herself; he never tried to match her like Marcus. Some nights, he came home only long enough to sleep for a few hours before he was off to work again. He was up for whatever she offered and never turned her down. He was an enigma.

It didn’t take long to get ready for the impromptu dinner. She slipped on a slinky sapphire gown with a high slit and silver sling-back heels. Chandelier earrings completed her look along with a cat eye and a soft rose lip. Mickey eyed her appreciatively as she climbed in the back seat.

When she arrived at the Pyre fortress, it was business as usual with milling guards everywhere. When Mickey helped her out of the car, she felt the eyes of every man on her. She sashayed into the house and heard a, “Damn,” in her wake, which gave her an extra spring in her step.

The smell of cooking meat and tangy sauces assailed her nose as she walked through the house. Workers prepared amazing dishes in the kitchen. A long table was set with candles and bouquets of peach-colored roses beside the pool. Mom, Lyla, and Maddie chatted off to the side while Marv, Gavin, Blade, and Angel conversed. Honey and Beau sat near the waterfall, playing contentedly with a mountain of doggy toys.

Marcus wasn’t there. She ignored her disappointment. She’d invited him earlier, but he didn’t confirm that he would make it. He must be really busy. As she approached the women, she felt Angel’s eyes on her. She hadn’t seen him since he finger fucked that woman in Lux. She hadn’t expected him to be here, but it shouldn’t surprise her that Gavin invited him.

“Hi!” She hugged Mom and Maddie, who were both dressed up. “The food smells amazing!”

“Yes, they’ll start serving any minute now,” Lyla said.

“You met Gavin?” she asked Maddie as she slid an arm around her waist.

She felt as if she’d known Maddie all her life. Maddie was smart, practical, and ecstatic to have her and mom in the family. She might have lost Dad and Vinny, but she now had the Armstrongs. Seeing them here tonight with the Pyres felt right. Marv didn’t have the hard edge that her father had, but he had the same heart.

“I met Gavin,” Maddie said quietly.

“Did you tell him you want to intern there?”

Maddie paled. “No!”

“Let me—” When she would have walked away, Maddie grasped her arm.

“I already talked to Marcus about it. You don’t have to ask him,” Maddie hissed.

Apparently, Maddie wasn’t comfortable with Gavin. No surprise. “Okay, Marcus will take care of it.”

“Dinner’s ready!” the chef called.

The men sat on one end of the table and the women on the other. The mood was lighthearted, the food was amazing, and the conversation was varied and interesting. Nora was passed from person to person. When Carmen got her turn, she balanced her goddaughter on her lap as Nora jumped and tried to grab everything, including her earrings. She held Nora at arm’s length. Nora Pyre would be a terror. She was a fearless hellion who was putting Lyla through the wringer. Nora hated having bows in her hair, so her black locks flowed wild and free around her face. Her silver blue eyes were piercing and filled with zeal. Carmen snuck a kiss and jerked back before Nora could grab a handful of hair. She laughed when Nora glared at her. Vinny would have doted on her. Vinny loved kids, and for a few months, he bothered her daily about having their own, but eventually bowed to her wishes to wait. If they had a child together, she would still have a piece of him. She shook herself and passed Nora to Blade, her favorite person. Blade took the baby and gave Nora a blank stare. This didn’t deter the baby in the least. Nora grinned at him and smacked his broad chest.

Long after they finished eating, everyone stayed seated under the blanket of stars. Carmen sipped wine and rested her cheek on her mom’s shoulder and hugged her tight. After all she’d lost, moments like this had so much more impact. She silently willed everyone to stay put, to prolong the moment. She kept looking at the door, expecting Marcus to arrive, but he didn’t. Mom, Marv, and Maddie were the first to call it a night. She hid her disappointment even though it was late and they had a great time. She hugged and kissed them goodbye.

“Where’s Marcus?” she asked Gavin as he took a sleeping Nora from her.

“Working,” he said shortly.

“I know, but on what?”

He gave her a long look. “You two are still fucking around?”

She grit her teeth. “We’re friends.”

“Who are fucking.” He glared at her. “He’s not Vinny.”

“You think I don’t know that?”

“He doesn’t have time for your games.”

“Shut up, Gavin. We’re happy. Go to Bora Bora, visit the spa, and ask them to pull the stick out of your ass.” She took a few steps away and then turned back. “And when you come back, Marcus is taking a vacation, got it?”

“Marcus can do what he wants.”

“Then he’s taking a vacation.”

Gavin shrugged. “I want to hear it from him, not you.”

“Fine.”

Knowing her departure would be imminent, she moseyed over to Honey and Beau who lounged near the pool. As she approached, Beau met her halfway. She scratched him behind his ears and watched Honey debate whether she wanted to be touched. In the end, her competitive nature won out. Honey nudged Beau aside and took his place. It was amazing what a few weeks in a loving, safe environment could do.

“You’re such a good girl,” she praised. “I told you, only good from now on, baby.”

“Ready for dessert?”

She turned and found Angel standing behind her with two slices of cake. She stared from the cake to him and back.

“Where’d you get that?” she asked.

“It’s the last two pieces of a cake that Blade wants out of the house.”

Angel was back to his relaxed vibe—jeans and a black tee, but neither his appearance nor the cake fooled her. But if he wanted to play nice and bring her cake, why not enjoy?

“Thanks,” she said and took the plate. “I think you can take Mickey and Frederick off babysitting duty.”

“Not yet.”

“You haven’t killed all the Black Vipers yet?”

“Getting there, although they reconnected with the Spade gang from California. They’ve been quite entertaining.” He shrugged. “It’s only a matter of time before they flee.”

Beau and Honey ran toward the house as Gavin and Lyla went inside. Honey had really bonded with her new family. She was a whole new dog. Gavin seemed taken with her in particular. According to Lyla, the dog’s favorite place was his office.

The staff cleared the table, leaving them alone on the patio. The tranquil sound of the waterfall and the dim light made this strangely intimate. She ignored all of that and took a bite of cake.

Her eyes fluttered shut. “Oh my God. What is this and how do I get more of it?”

“You’re with Fletcher.”

Her eyes popped open. “What?”

“You live together.”

It wasn’t a question.

“We’re friends, and I’m staying at his place. He’s mostly at the hotel.”

He tilted his head to the side. “And that’s working for you?”

His incredulous tone made her tense. “It’s working perfectly. Why?”

He ignored his fork and picked up the cake with his hands. “I didn’t think vanilla would do it for you.”

“Who said he’s vanilla?”

“Come on. We both know he isn’t like us.”

“There is no us.”

“Of course, there is. You’re just playing hard to get.”

“Excuse me?”

“You want me.”

He finished his cake and licked frosting off his thumb while he stared at her. She ignored the tummy clench. The same thing would happen if she was watching a cologne commercial. Any hot guy could get a reaction out of a woman.

“I don’t want you.” Her voice didn’t come out as nonchalant as she wanted.

“You do,” he said with an arrogance that made her want to slap him.

“You know what I really want?”

He tensed. “What?”

“More of this cake.” She held his gaze as she forked up a piece and opened her mouth wider than necessary to accept the spongy piece of heaven. Angel watched silently as she chewed and hummed in delight. Her tongue flicked out to catch a smear of frosting on the fork.

“You’re fucking with me,” he growled.

She grinned, unable to hold a straight face. “You deserve it.”

He dropped the easygoing façade and stepped into her space. She had to lock her muscles against the instinctive urge to retreat. He was so close that she could smell his cologne. Clean, fresh, inviting. It didn’t match the man who wore it. He should be wearing something spicy, musky, with bite.

His eye contact was so direct that it felt like a physical touch. She stared into dark, fathomless blue. His beast was in his eyes. Being around Gavin for over a decade, she should have been immune to Angel’s brand of badassery and sex appeal. He was his own brand of psycho in a pretty package. On the surface, he appeared as affable as Marcus, but she knew better. He had a cruel streak that made him the perfect candidate to bring Las Vegas to heel.

“You wanted what I gave that slut.”

His coarse words matched the dark hunger in his eyes. It evoked memories of him finger fucking that woman. She gave a one-shoulder shrug.

“I’m not into group sex.”

“What are you into?”

“You’ll never know now, will you?”

They stared at one another, a silent battle of wills. She refused to walk away. She wasn’t a weakling, and she wouldn’t bow down to him because of his title.

“I was letting off steam after a few kills,” he said in a goaded tone.

That explained his pathological behavior that night. “Well, I hope that got you off.”

“It didn’t.”

The implication was obvious. He was still hungry. She felt warmer than she had a minute ago. “What a shame.”

“Yes,” he drawled as his eyes traveled over her face and landed on her lips. “You made your point at Lux.”

“So did you. You can’t have everything you want, Roman.”

“Fletcher can’t handle you.”

“He’s handling me just fine.” His energy cloyed the air and made the sweet cream of her dessert taste like dirt. She took a step back. “Well, I better get—”

“Not up to the challenge, Carmen?”

He was baiting her. Again. He thought he could provoke her into a night of angry, dirty sex? “I don’t see a reward worth fighting for,” she said tartly.

He clutched his chest. “Not nice, Carmen.”

“You aren’t either.”

“No, I’m not nice, but you already know that.” He lowered his voice. “Come with me.”

Goose bumps traveled over her skin. “I’m with Marcus.”

“You said you’re friends.”

“Yes. Friends with benefits.”

“Then what does it matter?”

“We’re exclusive … friends,” she said lamely.

Angel raised a brow. “Exclusive friends? He doesn’t even have the balls to claim you for himself? Why are you wasting your time?”

She went toe to chest with him. “You think every woman wants you because you’re the bad boy? That I would give up what I have so you can do me dirty and leave me when you’re bored?”

“What makes you think I’d get bored?”

“Because I’m a hunter too,” she said quietly. “I understand the chase and the disappointment when it’s over.”

“Then why are you with Fletcher?”

“Because he’s the unattainable.” Marcus didn’t give himself freely, and because of that, he was a prize. He was too good for the likes of her, but she would steep herself in him as long as he allowed it.

“You’re taking the safe route.” His eyes roved over her face. “How disappointing. We could have helped each other out.”

“I’m getting mine. And I’m sure you have a plethora of volunteers to do whatever you want in bed.”

“Yes, I’ve made my way through some of the best-looking women the town has to offer. A good selection.” His eyes slid down her body. “But not quite what I’m looking for. He won’t be able to give you what you need. You know that, right?”

“He already is.”

“For now,” Angel allowed. “But your need for more will come back, and when it does, he won’t be able to satisfy you. Wild doesn’t go away, Carmen. You’re with a guy who’s more focused on business than you.”

“Marcus is responsible for thousands of jobs and billions in revenue.”

Angel shook his head. “You think you’re safe because you’re with him, but you can still get burned.”

“What are you talking about?” She saw movement over his shoulder and spotted Marcus watching them. “My ride’s here.”

“When you’re ready, you know where I live.”

His words drifted to her as she walked toward Marcus.

“Everything all right?” Marcus asked, but his gaze wasn’t on her.

“Yes, are you hungry?”

“Lyla made me something to take home.”

“Great. You ready to leave?” She took his arm and pulled him toward the house, but he didn’t move. She turned back and saw he was staring at Angel. She yanked on his arm. “Marcus.”

He glanced at her, his face hard and so unlike the easygoing man she’d come to know. He glanced once more at Angel before he followed her in the house. What the fuck was that? She came here to chill, not for drama. She dropped the plate with the half-eaten cake on the counter and towed Marcus through the living room where Gavin and Lyla sat on the couch. Gavin had his arm around her while she leaned into him. They weren’t talking; they were soaking each other in. She missed that—the familiarity one had after being together for years. God, she had to get out of here.

“Thanks for dinner,” she said as she kissed Lyla on her head and completely ignored Gavin. “Call me if you need anything before you leave for Bora Bora.”

She didn’t release Marcus until she walked out of the house. Mickey broke off from some guards and headed to the SUV.

“She’ll ride with me,” Marcus said.

She didn’t argue. She slid into the Audi while he placed his takeout bag in the back seat. It smelled delicious. It wasn’t until they were on the open road with the city tiny lights in the distance that he spoke.

“What were you and Angel talking about?”

Fucking Gavin and Angel ruined her perfect night. “Nothing. He was just being an ass.”

“About what?”

She reached for his free hand and laced their fingers together. “Nothing important. I’m glad you made it.”

“I tried to leave earlier, but some things came up.”

“Well, I didn’t give you much notice …” But Gavin made it. She pushed that petty thought away. He wasn’t obligated to attend unplanned dinner parties she sprung on him without warning.

“I have a business dinner coming up in a few days,” Marcus said, interrupting her thoughts. “You remember that businessman from Dubai? Khalid?”

“Yes.”

“He’s interested in buying one of the towers we’re building for homeowners.”

She pondered that for a moment. “It’s still under construction.”

“Yes.”

“He wants it badly enough to buy without seeing it completed?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“He wants to start doing business in Las Vegas, and there’s very limited real estate on The Strip.”

“What does Gavin think about that?”

His mouth curved. “The towers were my idea in the first place, and now that it’s drawing people like Khalid, he’s pissed at me.”

“He’s allowing you to negotiate this deal?”

“We haven’t talked hard numbers yet. Khalid has a lot of connections in the business world and may be an excellent partner in future, which is why we’re willing to talk to him.”

“Good luck.”

“I want you to come with me to the dinner we’re having with his associates.”

She glanced at him. “Really?”

“Yes. You don’t mind, do you?”

“Of course, not.”

He squeezed her hand. “Great. I’ve been following Khalid’s career for years. It’s an honor to talk to him and potentially do business with him in future.”

Marcus spoke of Khalid’s many accomplishments for the rest of the drive. She listened with half an ear as Gavin and Angel’s words needled her. When they reached home, he went to the office while she got ready for bed. The night didn’t exactly end on a high note. She felt uncomfortable and restless. Even the TV show Psych couldn’t improve her mood.

She lay curled around a pillow on the edge of the bed, lost in her head. No one believed she and Marcus were compatible. She hadn’t either, but with each passing week, she’d begun to believe that he might be the only other man on the planet capable of handling her. So what if they weren’t technically dating? Their foundation was better than what most married couples had. It was companionship at its best, and it worked for them.

She was happy and satisfied … or had been before Gavin and Angel attacked their arrangement. Angel was so sure her restlessness would return. Angel had changed in the short amount of time he had been in Las Vegas. He arrived with an eager cockiness that had faded to something much darker. The underworld was taking its toll on him. That was why his craving was so bad. He was insatiable. Nothing was keeping him topped up.

Marcus entered the bedroom. Her eyes followed him into the bathroom where he stripped. She liked that he was dedicated to his job. Work was an intrinsic part of him. He had no guidance in his life, yet he showed such compassion and patience. He made something of himself, and that should be celebrated. Knowing how little he had in his past, she went out of her way to do little things for him. She hung dreamy ocean paintings in his home office to tempt him with travel. She appreciated his fashion sense, so she bought him ties and shirts, which he could never have enough of. Every time she gave him something, he got the strangest look on his face. At first, she thought she had overstepped, but he had worn everything she got him, so she continued to give him presents.

Marcus walked into the bedroom in just his boxer briefs. She shifted to make room and laughed when he hopped on the bed and tucked her close. He buried his face in her hair.

“I like the way you smell,” he said. “Candy and sex.”

“Well, you know I love classy sin.”

He tipped her on her back while he rested on his side, looking down at her. She reached up and traced his features with her finger.

“Did you buy the necklace you showed me earlier today?” he asked.

Her hand paused. “No, I decided not to.”

“Why?”

She continued her exploration. “I don’t know.”

“You must have loved it if you took a picture of it.”

He’s not Vinny. She flinched as Gavin’s words drifted through her mind. “Maybe I’ll get it in the future.”

As she stroked his face, his eyes closed. She ran her hands through his hair and then cupped his neck. She massaged, and he dropped his head forward to give her better access. He rested his forehead on her chest. Her hands moved to the top of his shoulders. When he lay heavily on her, breathing slow and easy, she stopped. She wrapped her arms around him and soaked in his scent, weight, and warmth. This was all she needed—a partner who understood and accepted her. He had made the weeks since she awakened more than bearable; he had made them sweet and light. She’d done what Mom said. She found things that made her happy and spent as much time as possible doing them. The pain was still there, but it was beaten back by Marcus’s warm generosity.

“What were you talking to Angel about?” he murmured.

“What?”

He lifted his head and braced himself on his arms. “Angel.”

His voice was calm, but his eyes were moody. He wasn’t confrontational. If she learned anything about him, it was that he was the calm voice of reason in every situation. She was shocked he was bringing this up.

“You were angry, and he was standing very close to you,” he continued when she didn’t speak.

“It wasn’t anything,” she said.

“Tell me what he said.”

“I asked him about the Black Vipers,” she said slowly, trying to come up with an answer that wouldn’t offend him.

“And?”

Her eyes flicked away as she tried to buy time. He cupped her chin in a firm but gentle grip. His thumb slid over her bottom lip.

“Tell me.”

“He doesn’t think we’ll last.” His eyes narrowed, and she tacked on, “To be fair, Gavin doesn’t think so either. He told me to break it off with you.”

Marcus blinked. “What?”

“You know Gavin … He thinks I’m the worst thing that’s ever happened to you.”

“Gavin’s extra hostile toward you. Why?”

The last time she and Gavin had been civil to one another was when Vinny was alive. After Vinny died, their relationship disintegrated. He blamed her for Vinny’s death and rightly so. He’d never said it out loud, but he didn’t have to. He also blamed her for taking Lyla from him the first time. He believed they could have worked it out after she discovered his infidelity. Maybe, but her loyalty was to her cousin, not him.

“Bad history,” she said and brushed her hand over her aching chest.

“Angel doesn’t think we’ll last, and you got in his face?”

“Kind of. I said I was happy.” She waited for a comment. When she got none, she shifted restlessly beneath him, but he didn’t budge. “He was just being an ass. He wants what he can’t have.”

“He made a play for you.” His tone was flat.

“I told him we were exclusive, that I wasn’t interested.” When he said nothing, she added, “It’s mostly the chase.”

“Is it?”

“What else could it be?”

He brushed her hair back from her face. “Any man would covet you. It has nothing to do with the chase. That’s just a bonus.”

She stared up at him. “You didn’t chase me.”

He raised a brow. “Every opening I had, I took it.”

She blinked. “But you … you were just at the right place at the right time.”

His expression eased, and he grinned. “You’re so cute.”

He kissed her on the nose, and she scowled.

“I’m not cute. I’m a killer!”

“You’re adorable,” he murmured as he cradled her face between his hands and brushed kisses over her face. “I told you I wanted you before I met you.”

“But …” she said weakly and tried to hang onto the conversation when he was drowning her in affection. “You didn’t make any moves! I made all of them!”

He smiled. “Yes, you did.”

She shoved against his shoulders. “I can’t believe this! You—”

He covered her mouth with his and pinned her arms above her head. She jerked her head to the side, and his mouth moved to her neck and sucked.

“You needed time, so I gave it to you,” he said quietly. “But I always intended to be right here.”

“That’s not possible!”

“It is.” He raised his head and looked down at her. “And it was worth the wait.”

Her chest locked. “I didn’t want to like you.”

“I know.” He rested his forehead on hers. “But you do.”

She closed her eyes as conflicting emotions tumbled through her. “I don’t know how I would have done this without you.”

“You would have found a way, but I’m glad to be a part of it.”

“You don’t think I’m too much?”

“You are, but I like it,” he murmured as he lifted her nightgown. “Roman can look all he wants as long as he doesn’t touch.”