Page 80 of Hard Rain

“We live together.”

“Really?” Axel’s lips twitched.

Whip pulled the sausage from the microwave.

“Yes, smartass, and we’re partners.”

“That’s not going to change.” Axel smirked.

“That wasn’t really the point.”

“I know.” Axel lifted two plates and placed them on the counter next to the stove.

Whip frowned at the eggs and dumped them onto the plates.

That wasn’t helping. He’d expected resistance. An argument. The smartass comments, though…he probably should’ve seen those coming.

“If this goes sideways…”

“It won’t.”

“You don’t know that.”

“I do.” Axel sounded far too confident.

“How?”

Axel shrugged one shoulder.

“Because I’m not going anywhere.”

Whip placed the plates on the table and finally looked over.

Axel met his eyes without flinching. There was no grin, no teasing, only a quiet certainty that made this conversation a whole lot harder than he’d expected.

He turned back to the oven and checked the biscuits.

“Boone’s going to figure it out.”

“Probably,” Axel grunted.

“Knox definitely will.”

“He’ll be insufferable,” Axel agreed.

“He already is.”

A corner of Axel’s mouth lifted.

He tried not to smile. It lasted all of two seconds.

Whip carried the plates to the table while Axel grabbed the silverware.

He’d almost convinced himself the worst of the conversation was over.

Almost.

“If this goes bad, everything is on the line.”