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Aria’s eyes went wide, and so did his. He never expected that. Not now. Not when things were so new, even if they’d talked about it.

Aria nodded like it was a done deal. “Lyric doesn’t hold back when it comes to what she wants.” The smile said Aria approved of Lyric’s choice. “I knew there was something about you, I just didn’t know what. Now I guess it makes sense, all the cryptic things you said to her, and how you tried to keep her at arm’s length.”

“To protect her.” He wanted that clear, because he’d always wanted her.

Lyric put her hand on his chest. “To keep you safe.”

Aria held his gaze. “So what now? Are you staying in town, or is your job done and you’re headed home? Wherever that is.”

He looked down at Lyric. “I am home.”

She grinned, then met her sister’s sentimental gaze. “We’re making plans.”

“Are you leaving with him?” Aria asked, a touch of worry in her voice. She obviously didn’t want her sister to go.

He answered for her. “Lyric’s life is rooted here with her family, this bar, her music. I won’t ask her to leave everything she loves. My life has been all over the place for years. While I have a place up in Montana with my family, I want to be with Lyric, and that means I’m staying here.”

Aria and Lyric shared a look that conveyed a conversation he didn’t even try to decipher, but he knew Aria was happy for her sister. And maybe Lyric wasletting her sister know how sad she was that things hadn’t worked out for Aria and her cheating boyfriend but that maybe someone who deserved her would come along soon.

“I’m really happy for you guys.” Aria squeezed Lyric’s hand and looked at him. “I know you’ll take care of her. But if you don’t, they won’t find your body.”

“Threatening a federal agent?” he queried, mostly joking with her.

“It’s a promise, tough guy. Plus, Lyric would have your balls if you arrested me.”

Mason frowned and looked down at Lyric’s serene face. “Are your parents going to be this hard on me?”

“They’re going to love you because you love me.”

About to kiss her, he stopped a mere second before their lips touched, stood back, and took out the phone he’d used on the case. He saw the caller ID and frowned.

“What is it?” Concern. Lyric read him so well.

“It’s Lobo from the MC.”

“Don’t answer it. You’re done with them.”

Yeah, but he still had to live in this town with those guys, so he needed to know if there was a threat to him. And Lyric because of him.

“Hello?”

“We need to talk. Come to the clubhouse. Now. It’s not a request. Don’t make me come for you.” Lobo hung up.

His mind sharpened as he thought through all the angles. Lobo knew he was a federal agent. Mason was the reason five people close to Lobo were in jail, including his sister. Calling up, ordering him to come to him... It didn’t make sense. If he wanted to harm or kill Mason, why ask him to come?

It had to be something else.

“I’m sorry, Angel, we’ll have to delay our plans for today. I need to take care of this.” He turned to head back up to her place to get his badge and gun. A stark reminder of who and what he was, even if he was supposedly on leave.

She followed him out through the kitchen, up the stairs to her place, and into the apartment. “Tell me what’s going on.”

“I’m not sure. Lobo wants to meet.”

“So you’re just going.”

He pulled his gun and badge out of his bag and attached both to his belt, letting her see him as an agent for the first time.

Her eyes went wide at the sight of him armed. “Seriously, you can’t just go there alone.”