everything’s in there.”
My fourth man smiled wearily at me as he followed my lead into our home. “Thank you, Mari. I’m…”
“Yes?” I closed the front door behind him and whirled around. “Take your boots off here. You’re what, love?”
He just looked at me quietly, my hand still encased in his, rough fingers stroking over my palm.
“I’m so lucky to be yours.”
The next day was spent spreading the word about Shadow and Grudge’s return, and our housewarming party was rescheduled to that night. Jandro had gotten to know a butcher in town, and arranged to have a roasting pit dug in the backyard for a whole pig to serve that evening.
Reaper invited his father and the governor over early in the afternoon for Shadow’s report, after he’d gotten a long shower and full night of sleep.
“Are you fuckin’ shitting me?” I heard Reaper demand from the kitchen table.
“I wish I was, president,” Shadow answered evenly.
“What the fuck, Big G?”
“I asked myself the same question many times.”
“Has anyone told Tessa?” I popped my head into the doorway.
“I imagine Grudge has,” Shadow said. “Considering they live in the same building.”
“Sugar, make sure she comes over tonight.” Reaper said, unofficially making me part of the meeting.
“I can ask her, but if she wants to be alone, I won’t force her. She was afraid of this happening.”
“Do what you can,” he urged. “She should be around loved ones.”
“I can ask Lis to hang out with her,” Finn offered. “Losing husbands may be an unfortunate thing they have in common.”
“I’m sorry for your lost man.” The governor fiddled with his empty teacup and smiled at me appreciatively as I came to take it away. “It truly is tragic.”
“I can’t say it’s completely unexpected,” Reaper sighed. “I think he just couldn’t pass up the chance to kill some of Tash’s people and didn’t think it through, as usual.”
“Do you think Andrea’s cover is compromised?” Finn asked.
“She is definitely a target, if she hasn’t already been caught,” Shadow said. “Big G referred to us and the Sons by name. They know she’s at least affiliated with us.”
“We won’t know until the time to make first contact comes.” Reaper drummed his fingers on the table. “If there isn’t a message from her, that will be our answer.”
“And what will you do if that happens?” Vance asked.
“Go back to square one.” Reaper rubbed his hands over his face with a groan. “Again.”
“Andrea’s smart,” I said over the running water in the kitchen sink. “She knows how to hide in plain sight and put on a persona. Even if G massively fucked up, she’ll adapt and get her job done.”
“Really?” Vance piped up. “How did she develop skills like that?”
Shadow and Reaper both hid smiles as I answered. “She was a high-end escort before meeting her husband.”
“Ah.” The governor’s blush was precious. “I see.”
The others chuckled at his discomfort while I made my way to Shadow, standing behind him as I wrapped my arms around his neck. “What I want to know is why you took an extra day to get back to me.”
“We were covering Big G when Tash’s patrol spotted us,” he said, hands sliding up to clasp mine resting on his chest. “We had to lead some Jeeps on a goose chase all over wild terrain, and lost at least half a day doing that.” His head tilted back to look at me. “Fortunately we were faster, and Jeeps are gas guzzlers.”
“Uh-huh.” I made a show of sounding skeptical as I leaned down to kiss his forehead. “A very likely excuse.”
“I missed you before I hit the road.” He reached up to caress my cheek. “I was counting down the minutes until I’d be back with you.”
“You’re all, uh,” the governor’s voice cut in, “a very openly affectionate bunch.”
Reaper laughed as he stood from the table. “Stay for the party, governor. You’ve seen how hard we fight.” He came over to me, taking hold of my jaw as he pressed a hard kiss to my mouth. “Now you can see how hard we live.”
The house started filling up with people a few hours later. Noelle and Lis came over to help prepare food, Gunner quickly sneaking in behind them. He darted into the downstairs bedroom we’d designated as the guest room, and quickly shoved something in the closet.
“Are you up to no good again?” I asked, leaning against the door jam.
“Always, baby girl.” He grinned, kissing me in the doorway. “You’ll see.”
“Well, that isn’t cryptic at all.”
He just