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Mak frowns. “Yeah, I’m…fine? I had a shitty night’s sleep, but—”
“Sleep? You slept? How the fuck could you sleep when there’s…”
Her line of interrogation trails off. It’s a wonderful thing, watching Romy’s brain work. I can practically hear the gears tick over, click into place, then the gush of realization flooding into her brain.
Without another word, she crosses the penthouse, wraps her arms around my neck, and presses her lips against mine. “Thank you,” she murmurs into my mouth, “thank you, thank you, thank you.”
I told Romy I had to send Mak into the dark room as his final initiation.
I didn’t tell her I wouldn’t send anyone else in with him.
Mak strides across the marble floor, none the wiser, a triumphant grin on his face. “So, is that it? Am I in?”
I let him squirm a little, just because he’s a smack-talking asshole who can always benefit from being brought down a peg or two. Who would have ever fucking thought I’d have a Russian in my ranks? But as my wife impatiently taps her foot next to me, I realize I never thought I’d have a Russian in my bed, either.
I guess things change.
Mak’s a good kid. Sharp aim, strong right hook, and despite his mouth, he understands the importance of hierarchy. In fact, he reminds me of a young Cillian Black. I stick my hand out for him to shake.
“Welcome to the army, kiddo.” Somewhere behind the sofa, Aisling draws a deep breath. I grip Mak’s hand harder, feeling his knuckles pop. “You’ll be stationed in Boston. As far away from my sister as possible.”
His lips twitch, then break into a grin. “It’s cool,” he says, winking at a red-faced Aisling, “Now that I’m making a decent salary, I can afford an Amtrak pass, and I’ll be down every weekend.”
“Don’t push your luck,” I growl.
Romy slips between us, rubbing Mak’s shoulder. “You should probably go. I’ll see you tonight.”
As Mak slips out of the apartment, Aisling is hot on his heels.
“Don’t,” Romy says softly, putting a firm hand on my chest. “One drama at a time.”
But the second we’re alone, I couldn’t give a flying fuck about any of the drama inside or outside of this building. I scoop her up and stride to the bedroom with her in my arms.
“Where are we going?” Romy giggles into my chest, looking up at me from under those thick lashes.
“You owe me a thank you for putting your friend in the dark room alone.”
“I already thanked you.”
I stoop, raking my teeth along her bottom lip. It’s soft and smooth, not a single scar left.
“Yeah, you said it. Now, I’m going to need to hear you scream it at the top of your lungs.”
* * *
