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That was true. Quinn was also wearing gloves. But somehow the sight of Quinn’s gloves didn’t make the blood rush to Andy’s head.

“WasIcarrying?” Marcus demanded. He had not been carrying any weapons, and he pressed his advantage, nodding at Quinn. “I bet he is.”

Quinn didn’t bother to answer that. Which was…interesting. “What do you think?” he asked Andy. “Having him arrested in Safehaven is going to be messy. Are you okay with that?”

A weird—but legit—question. Andy did not know the answer.

It felt like he’d stumbled out of bed an hour ago, but a glance at his cell phone informed him a total of six minutes had passed.

A life-changing six minutes.

He said, “I have to be. For one thing, I’m going to need a restraining order.”

Marcus made another of those aborted movements. “If you think I’m going along with this, you’re crazy.” He focused his fury on Andy. “I willwreckyou. I willdestroyyou if you try it. You know I will. You know I can.”

As much as Andy wanted to believe that was an empty threat, his was the kind of job where reputation and public perception mattered. Marcus knew that. And Marcus was extremely vindictive.

“You’re mypartner. I have arightto talk to you.” Marcus continued to talk, trying to make his case, as Andy weighed his options.

But then that was the problem. He really didn’thaveany options.

And yet, instead of phoning the police, he answered Marcus. “I told you. It’s over. I want out.”

Marcus, recognizing Andy’s hesitancy to take the final, irrevocable step, relaxed a little. “Hey, that’s fine, but you still owe half the rent onourapartment. You don’t get to just walk away from all your responsibilities.”

“Half the rent?I’ve been payingallthe rent onyourapartment for the past year. I’m done. I’m out.”

“You don’t get to decide that on your own! This is why we need to talk!”

Quinn let out a long, exasperated breath. “I’m no relationship expert, but nobody pries open a locked window and climbs inside a dark house in the middle of the night to negotiate a peace treaty.”

His green gaze held Andy’s. Andy nodded slowly, reluctantly.

“This isn’t your business,” Marcus said fiercely. “This is between me and Andy and nobody else. Tell him, Andy. Tell him to get out.”

Quinn ignored that, turning to Andy. “What do you want to do?”

He knew he was making a mistake, and yet Andy heard himself say to Marcus, “Give me your word you’ll leave me alone, and I won’t phone the police.”

Quinn sighed.

Marcus’s eyes lit with hope. “If that’s what you want.”

“That’s what I want, and I mean it, Marcus. If you come back foranyreason, I’ll report thisandthe assault on Friday.”

Marcus’s eyes flicked to Quinn. He must not have liked what he saw on Quinn’s face because he said quickly, defensively, “You tripping and falling wasn’t my fault, but whatever. I agree.”

Andy said to Quinn, “I’ll still go ahead and file a restraining order.”

Quinn said nothing. It was obvious he thought Andy was making a big mistake. Andy thought he was probably making a mistake as well, but the alternative was so drastic. So final. As angry and vindictive as Marcus was now, it was nothing to how he’d react if Andy really did try to have him arrested.

“Go ahead!” Marcus clambered painfully, slowly to his feet. He towered over Andy, and even Quinn seemed a little crowded, though unimpressed. Andy could have warned him not to underestimate Marcus. It took everything in him not to take a step back.

Glowering down at Andy, Marcus said bitterly, “Just remember when you come crawling home, this wasyouridea.” He added to Quinn, “Don’t think you’re the first.”

Quinn said gravely, “Oh, I’m pretty sure I was.”

Marcus blinked, looked quickly from Quinn to Andy, and his face darkened. “So this whole thing was planned!”