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"I'm going to fuck you up if you keep doing that shit," Ronan warns him.

"Can't do that. I'm the one with the charm and handsome face." Z winks at him. "But I will say, I loved your work." He grabs the tablet off my desk. "What the hell happened to this?" He shows it to me. The screen is cracked. I shrug off the question. That happened when I fucked my wife on my desk; the iPad was a casualty.

"It still works."

Z clicks away on the tablet, lowering the TV over the fireplace and turning it on. He goes to the local news station, where they are reporting on a warehouse that went up in flames last night.

"Beautiful work," Z compliments Ronan, who only grunts a response. "I mean, you needed my handiwork to disable the alarm systems, cameras, and those pesky sprinklers, but you did great work lighting that match."

Ronan ignores him. It's difficult to get a reaction from him. That doesn't stop Z from trying to get one.

The warehouse was an easy hit. Especially with it filled with lumber waiting for transport. We all stare at the screen watching the firemen put out the last of the flames.

"We have reached out to the Timber Woods company, but there has been no word back. This story is still developing," the reporter says to the camera.

"Bet Mr. Woods responded to you." Z chuckles. Yes, he had. I didn't let the question of who lit up Woods' warehouse linger in his mind.

I check the time. We’ll be heading out shortly. Mr. Woods thinks the daylight keeps him safe. He insisted on a meeting during the day and at his offices. I let him set these plans. People are caught off guard when they think they’re in control. I’ll give him that illusion.

“I’m going to check on my wife.” I stand.

“Still can’t believe you’re letting them go.” Z’s teasing is now gone. There’s an edge to his voice, but I’m unsure of the reason.

“I can’t keep her locked away forever.” I wish I could, but Tova has told me that in time she’ll grow resentful. That resentment will be aimed at me, and I wouldn’t be able to bear it from her.

“Has Cosima mentioned anything to you about heading home?”

“I am home.” Cosima comes waltzing into the room. “But I could get a place in the city.”

“Not happening,” all of us say at the same time. I don’t think she’s ready for that.

“Why not? Everyone else has a place in the city.”

“You’re not everyone else,” Z tells her.

“I wasn’t talking to you.” She glares at him. “But maybe you’re right. A whole ocean away from you is sounding real nice right now.”

“Enough,” I order them. I don’t know what the hell has gotten into these two lately, but I’m getting real tired of them bickering every time we are all in a room together. “Get things prepared for us to leave.”

“Wait, everyone is coming?” Cosima glances around at all of us. “I thought Turner was taking us.”

“Brian will be taking you. It just so happens that we have a meeting in the city as well.”

“Isn’t that convenient?” Cosima rolls her eyes. It actually is, but it doesn’t matter. I’m allowing the trip even though I’m not thrilled about it. I know I need to get used to it. I won’t be far away. It’s a step in my progress.

I leave my office, heading up to our bedroom. Tova is standing next to the bed putting things into her purse. Her head lifts when she hears me, a smile lighting up her face. I go straight to her, kissing that smile.

“You see what I picked for you today.” Tova motions to my side of the bed. Both sides might be considered mine since my wife has a knack for sleeping on top of me. Not that I’m complaining, especially if she’s naked.

On the nightstand is a vase with long stems that end at a small, white, ball-ish shape. “Thank you.” Tova giggles.

“They’re peonies. They haven’t opened yet. They remind me of you. So closed off, but with time and care, they’ll open up for you. Big and beautiful.” I soak up her words, loving the way she sees me.

“Beautiful, you say? Are you wearing those rose-colored glasses again?” That gets me another little giggle.

“I only wear regular glasses, thank you very much. As I was saying. Beautiful, handsome, whatever you want to call it.” She lifts on her toes, dropping her head back. I kiss her again.

“Are you ready?” Her teeth sink into her bottom lip, but she nods. “Is everything okay?”