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There were new messages waiting on Bennett’s phone.

NM: Where did you go?

NM: Are you denying this?

NM: Hmm. Too shy to respond?

NM: I hadn’t pegged you as a coward, Verreault

Bennett rolled his eyes. Shy? Coward? Nico didn’t waste time lashing out when he grew impatient. Calm down, he wrote. I was dealing with a fetus who doesn’t like to follow rules.

NM: A fetus?

Bennett: Some of these guys seem so young

Bennett: Much younger than I was at their age

NM: And stupid, no?

Bennett’s mouth curled up. Did Nico have to deal with keeping everyone in line, too?

Bennett: Very stupid

Bennett: But it’s part of being the captain. Which is an honor

NM: Still you are allowed to complain

Bennett: Do you?

Bennett: Complain, I mean

NM: All the time

When Nico didn’t elaborate, Bennett pushed, asking, About what?

NM: People who think they know more than me

NM: People who don’t do as they’re told

Enjoying this conversation more than he probably should, Bennett flopped back on the bed and wrote, Give me an example.

NM: You

Bennett: Not me, asshole. Someone else

NM: I keep telling my cousin to get married and settle down

Bennett: And she won’t?

NM: He, and no

NM: He says it’s my responsibility as the head of the family to marry first

Bennett’s stomach did a strange thing, which he ignored. Instead, he asked, So why don’t you?

NM: I’m busy

The same words Bennett had said earlier in their thread. Was Nico doing this on purpose, to remind Bennett of his evasion, or was he serious?