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The knocking on my window has grown more incessant, and I roll it down to find my brother standing there. Imagine that. Andrew being a nag even without words. “Have you ensured you’re ready if Elsa shows up?” I ask, as if I were the one knocking on his window.

Irritation tics in his jaw. “Do I look like a fucking idiot?”

“Do you want me to answer that?”

“I love you too, you little bitch, which is why I wasn’t risking you getting killed. I need you around to torment me. Get out of the damn SUV. We need to just get this over with.” He opens the door, and I eye Kane over my shoulder, a question in the action.

“I’ll catch up, bella. Be careful .”

Translation: He needs an update on his team, and Ghost is likely present and closer than I expect. I give a short nod and exit, shutting the door behind me. “Kane has some of his men on the perimeter,” I explain softly. “And before you get prickly, I’m not saying you’re not doing your job, but one sniper can level the crowd.”

“I’ve replayed that exact scenario you just mentioned in my head a hundred times. I had the microphone placed in a location where we’ll be sheltered. I wanted to put up bulletproof glass, but I knew you’d lose your shit.”

“You mean the audience would lose their shit.”

“That too. Change of topic. My replacement is here. I warned him you’re going to bust his balls.”

“Isn’t it great how well we know each other? Where is he so I can make you right?”

“He’s waiting on us at the podium. I’d ask what I need to know, but I guess he needs to know, too.” He scrubs his jaw. “I can’t believe I’m leaving.”

“I can’t believe you’re working for Dad.”

“You know why I’m doing this, Lilah.”

“The chief in our little town has been a Love job for a long time. Only one of you is good at your job and has a moral compass. But you’re about to be sucked into a hell pit with Dad and Pocher. They’ll try to corrupt you, and power is addictive.”

“The idea of you stabbing me and Kane burying me is a pretty big deterrent, let me tell you.”

“First, if you’d become that shitty of a person, I’d have someone else do it. You are still my brother. Also, you’re still sleeping with that bitch. Proof you are indeed corruptible.”

“Stop already. I’m not marrying her, I was never even thinking about it, and I haven’t seen her in weeks, and right now, I’m feeling weird about handing over my job. Let me just live in that feeling, will you?”

“That feeling sucks. And you—”

“Don’t say I did this to myself. That sucks, too.”

I grunt. “I’m biting my tongue right now, just so you know. What’s your take on the new guy so far?”

“I told you, I like Dave Taylor. He’s a temporary placement right now, though, so we’ll have time to test what seems to be an honorable record.”

“Have you ever heard about putting an avocado in a paper bag to ripen it?”

“Why are we talking about avocados?” He holds up a hand. “Don’t answer. I got it. Because it’s you. Yeah. I have. It works damn well, but you have to be careful, or it gets too soft too fast.”

“And rotten to the core. It happens fast. Don’t ever forget that, big brother, especially when you’re headed into the garden of rotten, which is all things Dad and Pocher. Take me to your avocado.”

He laughs. “Should we call him Mr. Avocado?”

“Better than Mr. Potato Head. And you do need to know a few things I’d rather you hand out with discretion. You, not me. This Taylor dude needs to earn trust.” I update Andrew on Ellis, Adams, and election night.

“I heard about election night,” he says.

“What do you think?”

“I think it’s going to make my little town into a zoo, but it won’t be the first time. We know how to manage it. What do you think?”

“Feels like our turf. I think I like it.”

“Any updates on Ghost?” he asks.

“We want what he wants. Elsa. We’re going to help him get her in a big way. And quite possibly piss her off in the process.”

“So you said. Should I prepare the new guy?”

“Nope. Let’s see how he rolls.”

“Should we check on Kane?”

“Kane doesn’t need a babysitter, but the new guy might. Let’s get this over with. The sooner we get the word out, the sooner we get our bait set, and I’m too tired to stab a bitch tonight. I will, but I’d enjoy it more later. I need sleep.”

“Yes to all of the above. Sleep won’t make you have a winning personality, but it makes you less of a bitch, so I’m all for it.” He motions me forward, and as we walk, we pass several of his deputies who wave at me. They like me or they fear me. Either way works for me.

We’re almost to the edge of the building, about to step into the heat of the press’s attention, when a tall, good-looking man with wavy brown hair steps in front of us. He’s in uniform, but not the local gear, and when his blue eyes land on mine, I know he’s not only the new chief; he’s not my friend.

“You’re the new acting chief in town,” I say, making sure that “acting” is emphasized.

“I could have sworn that was you,” he retorts dryly, with a distinct southern accent, “since you’re always taking over. I’m not your brother. That shit won’t fly with me.”

“You’re out of line,” Andrew snaps.

“You’re also not in charge if I claim jurisdiction,” I say, “which I’m about to do for all the world to see.”

“Who and what gives you that right?”

“My purdy badge,” I say all sugar sweet, in my best southern accent, which is pretty good if I might say so myself. “You ever heard the one about the southern boy who rushed into a bar all pissed off? ‘Who painted my horse’s balls red?’ he declared.” I act it out. I’m enjoying this. “A big ol’ biker dude, who might as well have been a basketball player, he was so tall, declared, ‘ I did. What about it?’ The cowboy knew he was beat, and he cut his eyes to his boots as he said, ‘ He’s ready for the second coat .’ My purdy badge is the big ol’ biker dude. And you’re the cowboy.”

“Typical FBI agent, always trying to intimidate someone.”

“Oh, I am not your typical FBI agent. I’m much worse. Now, how about that press conference?”