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Yes please.
While she tears our bedroom apart in search of shoes that are not in the least bit concealed, I look to my right and raise a brow as the apartment door jiggles.
I don’t get up to let our visitor in. I just watch, and wait. And when the adorable Doctor Aubree Emeri pokes her face through the gap and answers my stare with a smile, I take another sip as she lets herself in.
She rocks pink and purple-streaked hair, and tight jeans above purple high tops. It’s her look. Herschtick,that somehow suits her completely, despite her education and position as a medical examiner.
But her bright exterior is a stark contrast to the nature of the man she kind of has a relationship with.
My oldest brother, Tim, loves Aubree. And Aubree loves Tim. But he is the literal fucking heir to a mafia family—to the power and fortune that comes with that, but the danger as well.
And our father recently died.
Timothy Malone the Second is dead, which means Timothy Malone the Third is supposed to take over.
But Aubree Emeri is a flower child who sees rainbows and butterflies where the rest of us see death and mayhem. She doesn’t fit into Tim’s world.
And he’s unwilling to put her there if it means she’s at risk.
So they dance around, and love each other from afar. It’s a whole…thing.
“Hey there, Aubs.” I look her up and down and smirk. “Your hair is getting louder.”
“I like it.” She closes the door and reaches up to play with her colored locks. “The chief ready for work?”
“Ah, well—”
“Dammit!” At the end of the hall, something falls to the floor with athud. “Archer, I don’t know where my shoes are!”
Bringing my eyes back to Aubree, I let a soft chuckle roll free of my chest. “They’re by the couch,” I tell her quietly. “She’s walked past them seven times already.”
“So it’s gonna be a good day.” Rocking back onto her heels, she nods, like her boss’ mood is a reliable gauge of how the rest of their day will be. “Did you get your invitation to Moo’s birthday party yet? I was talking to Fletch yesterday, and he said he hadn’t had a chance to give it to you.”
“Yep. He caught up with us last night.”
Aubree Emeri doesnotknow her boss is a killer, or that the rest of us aren’t on friendly terms right now.
And it’s not my place to inform her.
Instead, I glance to the fridge, and the unicorn invitation taped to the front. “Where do we buy Care Bears?”
Snickering, she brings her hand up for a finger wave when Minka moves into the living room. “I’ll take care of it, if you want. I have to buy my gift, too, so I’ll grab an extra for you guys.”
“Doctor Emeri.” Minka stops just two feet from her shoes and huffs. “I was running on time, but I think the cat hid my shoes. She’s a devious bitch, and I can’t find them anywhere.”
“Which ones?” Lazily, Aubree hitches herself up to sit on the counter to my right. “Describe them. We can search together.”
“They’re black. With buckles.” She charges across the room and grabs her briefcase from near the door. “I normally take them off here and leave them near my keys. But they’re not where they should be.”
“So retrace your steps. What did you do when you got in last night? Whatexactlydid you do?”
Instantly, Minka’s chocolate eyes flip to mine. Because we fucked when we got home last night.
“Uh…” Hedging, she reaches up and brushes her long hair behind her ear. “I don’t recall.”
Amused, Aubree snickers. But then her phone trills and sets us all on edge.
It takes just another second for Minka’s phone to bleat. Then another for mine.
