"Just a second!" I called out, trying not to be so loud that it would wake Omari up too. I grabbed my clothes and started yanking everything on. Ashur took his sweet time, pulling on his boxers and his slacks like he had all the time in the world.

"Shirt?" I prodded, but he just gave me an unreadable look.

Fine. I went over to the door and took a deep breath as I smoothed my hair down, trying to look presentable when I felt anything but. Couldn't I have had at least a moment to enjoy the afterglow before shit hit the fan?

"Mia?"

Okay, I had to open it. I unlocked the door and opened it. Jacob was frowning as he met my eyes.

"Is everything okay?"

"Everything is fine," I said, trying a smile.

He just narrowed his eyes at me before trying to look behind me. "Do you have someone over?"

"She does," Ashur confirmed from behind me.

Wonderful.

Ashur walked up behind me, no shirt and no shoes, his hair rumpled. It was obvious what he'd just been up to. I covered my face with my hand. How embarrassing. Was this the male equivalent of marking territory?

Jacob took in Ashur's state of undress. His expression didn't change but his shoulders stiffened.

"You are?" he asked, stepping forward so I had to step back.

Why don't you come in Jacob?

Why, I'd love to, Mia.

I shook my head as I closed the door behind him.

"I'm Ashur. Mia's boyfriend."

Boyfriend. This was the first time he'd ever attached some kind of label to us. I didn't know how to feel about it considering the circumstances.

"And you are?" Ashur asked, deliberately sinking back down onto the couch, making a show of being comfortable in my place.

I mentally facepalmed this time because I didn't want to obscure my vision.

"This is Jacob," I interrupted. "My friend and neighbor."

"Ah."

I didn't know so much could be implied with just a sound like that.

"Did you need something, Jacob?" I asked, ignoring the weird dynamic going on between them. I wasn't touching that with a ten-foot pole right now.

Jacob finally turned his attention to me. "Yes, actually," he said, crossing his arms. "I wanted to know what was going on today. Why those guys were after you."

"Uh . . . "

I glanced over at Ashur who was sitting up straighter already.

"What is he talking about?" he asked.

I sighed, giving Jacob a look that he totally ignored. There was no getting out of this conversation with Ashur now.

"I don't really know," I admitted. "Someone followed me from my last job and then these other guys were waiting for me in one of the side streets." I shrugged. "I have no idea why. They didn't exactly tell me before they decided to attack."

"Attack?" Ashur repeated, getting to his feet. "You were attacked?"

"Well . . . maybe they just wanted to talk to me?" That sounded like a stretch even to me.

It was Ashur’s turn to cross his arms.

"They obviously didn't look like they just wanted to talk if you used the word attack. What happened?" he demanded.

I sighed. There was no point in holding anything back now, so I told them all I knew.

" . . . and so I called Jacob to give me a ride away," I finished. "Thank you, again," I said turning to him. "I really appreciate you dropping everything to show up."

"Of course," he said in a low voice. "I'm just worried about what you may have gotten mixed up in. Those weren't guys who just happened upon you and thought they'd take their chances. You, specifically, were their target."

I couldn't argue with that. Not when I thought the same thing.

"That part of the dome isn't exactly a place to be strolling around in," Ashur said, his voice tightly controlled. "What were you doing there alone?"

Here we went.

"Sometimes I have to go to those kinds of places because of my job," I said, trying not to be defensive. He was just worried because he cared. I couldn't lose sight of that. "It goes with the territory."

"It does," Jacob agreed.

Ashur turned to glare at him. Okay, this wasn't helping.

"How about I talk to you tomorrow, Jacob?" I said, not bothering to hide I needed him to leave right now.

He raised a brow at Ashur, but turned to me.

"Sure thing," he agreed mildly, stepping back towards the door. "Tell Omari I'm sorry he was asleep when I came over."

"He'll be sad he missed you."

He stepped out into the hall and turned to look at me. "Call me if you need me," he said, glancing behind me into the apartment. "Okay?"

"I'll be fine," I said quietly. "Goodnight."

He hesitated for a second longer, but then nodded as he stepped towards his door. "Goodnight."

I shut the door quietly and leaned my head against the jamb for a moment.

"That guy wants to be more than just your friend."

I sighed, turning to face Ashur. "No, he doesn't. But it doesn't matter what he wants," I said quietly.

He searched my face. "You're right."

That was nice to hear for once.

"But I'm not comfortable with you going to areas that are known to be dangerous by yourself. It's an unnecessary risk."

I tamped down on the anger that surged inside me. Maybe it was unnecessary for him, but this was my job. My livelihood.

"I've had this job way longer than I've known you," I finally said, keeping my voice down with an effort. "And I need it. I need the money, especially now with Omari here."

He stepped towards me, but stopped when I didn't make a move towards him.

"You don't need to do this. Come back with me—I can take care of both of you," he said softly, his eyes imploring.

I rubbed my eyes. "I can't take that kind of risk," I said, letting my hand drop so I could look at him. "It isn't just me anymore—I have Omari to think of. I need to have a life where I know I can take care of him, no matter what happens. Take care of myself. What if things between us don't work out?"

His jaw clenched. "You don't think we'll work out?" he asked tightly.

I was suddenly utterly exhausted. This wasn't at all how I envisioned this visit going.

"That isn't what I said," I murmured. "Look, why don't we just table this for now? I missed you, and I don't want to waste the little bit of time we have together arguing. Okay?" I implored. "Please?"

He let out a breath, pushing his fingers through his hair. Finally, he nodded.

"Yeah, okay," he said, stepping closer to ease me into his arms. "You're right." He sighed. "Just . . . don't keep something like this from me again, okay?"

I nodded, pressing my face against his chest as I wrapped my arms around his waist.

"Okay," I murmured, leaning against him. "Okay."