Page 50

Fifty

Roman

“C ome on, it can’t be that bad,” I laughed, watching the scowl etch deeper on Mike’s face as he watched Anastasia from across the room.

“She’s here ALL. THE. TIME.”

“Where else is she supposed to go?”

“I don’t know, but I don’t see why we have to be stuck in the same room constantly,” he growled, shifting his gaze to where she was sitting in the kitchen by the window.

“There are multiple rooms in this damn cabin, they could at least put her in another one at night so I don’t have to hear her snore. ”

“Well, given that you both got shot by someone in your own department who tried to take out your entire team, it makes sense that you are both being protected in the same cabin. And since you both need medical attention and there’s only one doctor, I imagine that it’s a whole lot easier for him to focus when you’re both in the same room at night, so he doesn’t have to go back and forth throughout the house all night. ”

“It’s not like the wounds are that bad. Her forehead was barely grazed, and the bullet went right through my shoulder. I’ll be up and going again in no time.”

“Either way, until all agencies have a chance to do their part of the investigation, you guys are stuck here together for a while.”

He glared at me and then turned away to watch Rosie play outside.

“How’s she doing?” he asked, nodding at her, and effectively changing the subject.

“She seems to be fine,” I replied with a shrug. “I don’t know that she’s really processed what happened. Either that, or she’s too young to know what it all means. Quinn’s keeping an eye on her, though.”

“And how is Quinn doing? She looks tired. Run down.”

“She is. She’s been through a lot and hearing the things Julia said is going to sit heavily on her mind for a while. But she’ll be okay. I’ll make sure of it.”

He turned and studied me.

“So, this thing with my sister is the real deal?”

I exhaled heavily, my elbows resting on my knees as I thought about the answer.

I’d never been a committed relationship kind of guy, and Mike knew that.

It wasn’t that I didn’t want to be that for Quinn, but I didn’t know how to talk about it.

Mike had been my best friend for as long as I could remember, and this was his sister.

It would forever be a line that I would cross as long as Quinn and I were together.

“It’s the real deal, man. I love them. I would do anything to protect them.”

He leaned back and smiled the first genuine smile I had seen from him in months.

“I’m happy for you,” he said. “Just don’t break her heart, or I’ll break your legs.”

“You’d have to catch me first,” I joked, knowing neither of us was in any condition to be chasing anyone for a while.

Mike and I sat and talked for a while, bullshitting just like we used to before everything happened.

Anastasia was busy with the doctor and stayed out of his way, even though he still groaned and bellyached every time she walked by.

He could deny it all he wanted, but Quinn was right—he had a thing for her.

The chemistry between them reminded me of what Quinn and I had fought against until we finally gave in.

By dinner, Quinn and Rosie had cooked and made a delicious meal that just happened to be Mike’s favorite. I knew that Quinn felt guilty about Mike being shot, even though he told her repeatedly not to. Cooking seemed to be her language of love, which explained the feast before us.

Anastasia had offered to make herself a sandwich and eat outside until Quinn insisted that not only she join us for dinner but that she also sit next to Mike. I knew what she was up to and tried to bite back my laughter when Mike scowled at the suggestion.

“To friends and family,” Quinn said, lifting her glass of water in the air. Everyone raised their glasses in response before we dove into the delicious meal in front of us. It felt good to relax and know that there was no longer anything to worry about.