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“Indeed.”

Piper moved to the bed and sat. “I’ve been grappling with the idea of a knight in shining armor, Knight of Swords, same thing. Ethan’s jumping into the water with me was insane.”

“Agreed.”

“That anyone would jump to their possible death because of me is horrific.” She blinked at Chanti with a deep frown. “I hate it. And I’m grateful for it.”

“You’re both fine. What’s the issue?”

“I don’t think I can save myself in every instance. But—” Piper had wanted to believe that she had been brave and strong on her own—Ethan told her as much on the party barge, but she needed to believe it.

Piper had few clear memories of her mother. Most of those memories centered around books. Almost always of wildlife. “Remember, Piper, the female is the creator of life,” her mom had lectured, “And in the wild, the mother is the one to be feared. The males bow to the female strength.”

Piper had spent most of her life wondering why her mother didn’t feel that strong maternal protective instinct for her like lions did for their cubs and instead took off to live her life doing whatever she wanted.

Piper had identified as the Ugly Duckling in her youth.

But as she grew older—and hopefully matured—she thought her mother was trying to tell her not to be intimidated by men and to realize that she was capable.

And that’s how she approached life.

After this was over, Piper would have to look at her mom again through fresh lenses. She’d have to read her dad’s journal. And decide. But that was a problem for a different day.

She had a lot going on.

Piper held her brush up to her mouth like a microphone. “No, Wade, I don’t need to date an agrologist to figure out how to get light to the alley so I can grow peas. I dated an agrologist who was pleased to gift me with the means of lighting the peas. I wouldn’t date a plumber because I need pipes laid—”

“Literally or metaphorically,” Chanti said. “You made a massive jump in the conversation in your head. But I think I’ve caught up. If you were dating a man, and he wished to do something nice for you, it’s fine, Piper. Honesty. And so if you and Ethan turn out to be a thing, you wouldn’t be a damsel in distress; you’d simply be accepting the loving gesture of a heroic man.”

“If I were in distress, it’s fine that Ethan would wield his lifesaving skills to protect me. As I would do for him.”

“As you would do for him. In the water, didn’t you try to get him away from you so you wouldn’t drown him? See? Equally heroic. I saw you two looking at each other in the hospital room. Your connection was pretty intense.”

“It’s going to take me a while to process just that one aspect of this last week. We could have died, Chanti. I would have been kidnapped if it weren’t for Ethan. Ethan comes with Tango, and Tango gave me a shot at saving myself.”

“Hence the desire to carry meat in your purse even when he told you Saturday. Look, it’s not ideal to meet your future husband beating off kidnappers and jumping into a river. But as you said in the hospital, these are trying times. A girl’s got to do what a girl’s got to do.”

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Ethan

Ethan and Tango sat at the conference room table with Jay and Owen, waiting.

Tom was outside showing the Iniquus drivers where to park and wait for their protectees during the soirée. He’d bring Jack and Gator back here for the scheduled brief.

Ethan had read the word soirée, but he’d never met people who used it.

“Got plans for tomorrow, Owen?” Jay asked.

“I’m hoping I get the flu or food poisoning between now and then.”

Jay looked at him through squinted eyes.

“I told this chick I’m dating that I used to be Delta Force.”

Ethan ducked his head and grinned at the ground.

“Well, as ugly as you are,” Jay said. “I guess you’ve got to come to the table with some shit.”