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Danny

There was a heaviness on my chest, and it wasn’t my emotions. It was an actual physical weight. I blinked open my eyes to discover Alex sprawled on top of me. His head was near my left shoulder, his torso covering about eighty percent of my own. His arms were wrapped around my waist, and he’d draped one of his legs across both of mine.

I managed to lift my hand and wipe the morning crusties out of my eyes to get a better look at him. He was facing me and deep in sleep. I knew that because he was snoring softly, and was that…? I squinted, yep, drool.

My bladder was protesting, and I was trying to figure out the mechanics of shifting him enough to slide out when he began to stir. Nerves fluttered in my stomach. I couldn’t help but wonder if, in the light of day, he’d have regrets.

He blinked open his hazel eyes, his brow dipping slightly as he realized it was my face he was seeing. Fuck, this was going to be bad. But he did something I wasn’t expecting. He smiled and gave me a peck on the lips.

“Morning.” He lifted off me and hopped out of bed.

I watched as he strolled naked to my en suite, my fingers touching the lips Alex had kissed. They tingled. He’d fucking given me a kiss…a peck, but still. I stared at the ajar door as he peed, used the water, whatever he was doing. I was in shock. There wasn’t weirdness…why wasn’t there weirdness?

He came out and walked to my dresser, pulling out the same sweats I’d offered him last night.

“Bathroom’s all yours. I’m gonna go make coffee.” And just like that he was gone, and I was stunned.

I’d been sure he was going to play off everything that had happened last night. It really had been an emotional day and he’d come to so many realizations. As I went through my morning routine, my mind kept trying to convince me that when I went into the kitchen he was going to tell me this was all a mistake.

I smelled the coffee all the way to the kitchen. He was pouring two mugs, and I observed him as he fixed them. He knew how I took my coffee…he knew a lot about me just like I did about him.

He peered over his shoulder and smirked. “Are you being creepy?”

“This is my house.”

After stirring the mug, he handed it to me. “That doesn’t mean you can’t be creepy.”

One sip confirmed he’d made it perfectly. “I just wanted to see if you’d fuck up my coffee.”

“Pfft…please, I got that shit down.”

Both of our phones vibrated, and I knew without looking that it was Gideon. I placed my mug on the table and checked my phone.

“I guess you won’t be making me breakfast,” he grumbled as he read the text from our boss telling us to meet at his house.

“Me? I thought you were going to make it for me?”

He shook his head solemnly. “Not very hospitable of you, Daniel. I expected better from you.”

As he walked past me, I swatted him on the butt and he froze. He turned and grinned. “I might like that; be careful.”

Who was this man, and what had he done with my best friend?

“I made sure news of Oleg’s death would get to Vladimir.” Gideon was sitting behind his desk, Alex and me in front of him. Penn, as usual, was on the couch.

“How?” Alex asked.

“Maksim was able to get word out that he found him. Made it believable, in my opinion. Now we wait and see if he does anything.”

“How could he not? Everything he tries to make happen here, we’ve been destroying.” Seriously, what was he waiting for?

“I haven’t had any dealings with Ivanov or any Bratva in the past. I’m at a slight disadvantage here. I can only know what I’d do.”

“How do you think he’ll respond?” I inquired.

Gideon shrugged. “I have no idea. Therefore, I want everyone to be diligent. No one goes anywhere alone. Any chance you two could stay at the same house for the time being?”

Penn snorted, and all three of us shot him a look. Gideon’s was confusion, but I was sure Alex was giving Penn the same expression I was, which was the “shut the fuck up” look.