Page 106 of Say it Ain’t So

Which was exactly what Rylan was doing.

“Speaking of. How you holding up, Joss?”

“I’m doing okay, all things considered.”

A smile curled Lee’s lips and he shook his head. “You never fail to surprise me either. Hired you to help out around the office and you’ve whipped us all into shape, handled more than I ever expected, and then you go saving my employee’s life.” He scrubbed a hand across his chin. “You’re a hero.”

Heat rose to my cheeks, and I leaned forward and took Rylan’s outstretched hand. “Well, I didn’t exactly do it for you.”

“So I heard.” He shifted backward until his wide shoulders pressed against the wall as Van took a seat in the chair by my side. “When were you planning on telling me?”

I ducked my head, but Rylan spoke up. “Two days ago.”

Lee pressed his lips into a thin line. As if he could see the disbelief shining in Lee’s eyes, Van offered, “It’s true. They were with me the night before. We went out to dinner, and they told me. Joss and I were Rylan’s alibi. They were planning on telling you the next day, but⁠—”

“But it got busy,” Lee finished with a nod. He dipped his chin, staring at the floor for a moment before he pulled his gaze back to me. “So. What were you planning on saying?”

With Rylan’s hand gripped in mine, I told our boss our story, leaving out certain details because, well… There were some things he just didn’t need to know.

Rylan dozed off and on while Van and I brought Lee up to speed on the truth about my past, and before he left to get back home to Kelly, Jen and Vinny were at our door.

The two new parents shuffled into the room, bags and baby in tow. They greeted Van and Lee before the men stepped out to leave, then turned to me and Rylan. Their gazes alit on our clasped hands before they both turned their wide eyes to me.

“I take it the news is out?” Vinny asked, placing the car seat at the foot of Rylan’s bed as Jen chewed on her bottom lip.

“It is.” I glanced at my husband and found his brows furrowed at me. “We were going to tell everyone a couple days ago but…”

“Wait.” Rylan shifted in his bed—the first movement he’d tried making beyond shaking hands. “They knew?”

I rose from my seat, trying to help adjust him so he could sit up. I couldn’t look at him when I murmured, “They knew.”

“Joss, gorgeous.” He hooked his finger under my chin and forced my attention on him. “For how long?”

“They came to tell me you’d been shot.”

“It’s my fault,” Vinny offered as he motioned for Jen to take a seat. “Zoë and I were running background checks on the employees for fun and we happened upon your marriage certificate. We followed the trail until we realized…” He gestured to me.

“Fuck.” Rylan dropped his head against his pillow. “You’re telling me I could have just come to you, and I would have found her years ago?”

He shrugged, then dipped his head. “It’s possible.” He tugged at his shirt sleeves, then looked back up at Rylan. “I kept it to myself. Zoë didn’t care either way, as long as it didn’t affect the mission. But when it went sideways and you got hurt, I had to tell Jen.”

“That’s why Joss was able to help you so much the past few weeks,” Jen told him. “I knew you’d need help and, well… You guys aren’t very good at accepting help. So, I offered to step in and support Joss at work so she could be by your side.”

“Joss.” Rylan’s voice broke and when I looked at him, his eyes glimmered with tears. I reached for him, wiping them away. “You didn’t tell me.”

“I was worried,” I whispered, unable to look away. “I didn’t know if you’d be okay with anyone knowing, but I needed to be there with you. They covered for me with Lee and at work, and⁠—”

Rylan tugged my hand to his lips and placed a kiss against my skin. “I’m the luckiest asshole in the world.”

Both Jen and Vinny laughed, but Rylan turned his gaze on them.

“It’s true. She’s my lucky charm. I wouldn’t have my fortune or my life if it weren’t for her.”

“I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you, either.” I squeezed his hand when his brow furrowed once more. “That money you forced me to take?” I offered him a smile. “It’s what helped me escape, Rylan. I used it to move to Chicago and start a new life. And because of that, I found you.”

“I feel like there’s a story here,” Jen said quietly.

“Oh, there is.” Rylan beamed and tugged at my hand. “It’s full of adventure. And pain. And love.”