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Ready to bring our boy home.

“Then let’s go,” Eli says, moving toward the front door. “Boss says to keep the engine running and stay close.”

I follow him, my steps growing more certain with each stride. The gin’s effects are fading, burned away by purpose and determination. Rissa will understand. She has to. And together, we’ll find a way to make this work.

As the car pulls away from the mansion, I watch Zeke’s study window until it disappears from view. This is more than just a rescue mission now. It’s a declaration of war. And for the first time since this nightmare began, I feel like we might actually win it.

Together.

The driveto the coffee shop is silent. My mind cluttered with everything I need to tell Rissa, everything I’ve been hiding. The secrets I’ve kept from her crushing me.

Eli parks across the street as I walk into the cafe. The bell above the door chimes, and the smell of coffee and pastries hits me. A garish orange cat painting stares down at me from above the counter, its eyes somehow accusatory.

Rissa’s already there, tucked into a corner booth. Two cups of coffee sit in front of her, and tears sting my eyes at the familiar gesture. She knows my order by heart—three shots of espresso, splash of cream.

“You look like shit,” she says by way of greeting.

I slide into the booth across from her, wrapping my hands around the warm cup. “Thanks.”

“Does this mean you’re finally ready to tell me what’s going on?” Her dark eyes scan my face, cataloging every detail with the precision that makes her such a good detective.

“I don’t even know where to start.” I take a sip of coffee, the warmth spreading through me. “Everything’s such a mess.”

“Start with why you look like you haven’t slept in days.” She leans forward, lowering her voice. “And why that same man from the precinct is outside watching the cafe like he’s expecting trouble.”

Of course she noticed Eli. Again. Nothing gets past Rissa.

“That’s … complicated.” I stare into my coffee, gathering my courage. “Remember when I told you my cover was blown at Club Velvet Petal?”

She nods slowly. “Hard to forget. The captain was ready to throw things.”

“I didn’t tell you everything.” The words are like glass in my throat. “The owner, Ezekiel King? We … have history.”

“History?” Her eyebrow arches. “What kind of history?”

I take another sip of coffee, using the moment to organize my thoughts. “We dated briefly, about a year ago. Right after my divorce. Then he ghosted me.”

“And?”

“And now we’re married.”

Rissa chokes on her coffee, sputtering. “What?”

“It’s not what you think.” I run a hand through my hair, agitation making my movements jerky. “When my cover was blown, a member of the Costa family made me. Giovanni. He…” I swallow hard, the memory of that night still fresh. “He broke into my house. Tried to kill me.”

“Jesus Christ, Eve.” Rissa’s face pales. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

I stare at my partner. I know I can trust her, but this will be hard for her to accept. She takes the badge seriously. Just likeI always thought I did. “This stays between us. No reports. No arrests. Put your badge aside and your detective brain on hold. Can you do that?”

She studies me for several beats, and I can’t tell if she’s going to agree. “Something tells me I’m going to regret this, but okay. This stays between us.”

“Thank you.” I take another sip of my coffee before I continue. “Zeke was there. He killed Gio to protect me.” The words rush out now, unstoppable. “The marriage was his solution. A way to keep me alive when the other families found out about Gio. It’s a mafia thing. Family is sacred. Kill family and you’re asking for war.”

Rissa sits back, her expression a mix of shock and something else—hurt maybe? “So all those times you’ve been distracted at work, showing up late—”

“Yeah.” I can’t meet her eyes. “My life is completely turned upside down. I’ve been living with him. Trying to figure out how to balance being a cop with being married to someone who…” I don’t know how to explain Zeke’s complicated relationship with the law.

“Someone who what?” Her voice is carefully neutral. “What exactly does Ezekiel King do, Eve?”