Page 26 of Criminally Yours

“That’s what happens when you’re the miracle baby girl your parents wanted but gave up having until they were in their mid-forties,” she added.

“That’s why they’re protective?” Liss asked between chews.

“Yeah. Dexter, my brother, is, too. He’s like a second parent even though he’s only eight years older. He lives in Sweden with his wife, but he’s always checking up on his ‘baby sister,’ telling me what to do, too.”

“He was always good at that,” Strike grunted. “The perfect child except when he wasn’t.”

Confusion clouded Millie’s features as seconds ticked by. He’d promised Dexter he’d never share with Millie or herparents that he’d rescued him one night. She clearly didn’t know about her brother’s brief drug problem.

Strike forced a smile. “He used to have words with me every time he visited to make sure we weren’t dating or that I wasn’t looking through your window when you got changed.”

Strike shifted in his seat as he caught Liss and Bear’s flickering glances.

“You were too busy holding up signs telling me I smelt of dog food,” Millie replied with a half-smile, pushing her glasses against her nose.

Strike’s laugh echoed around the room. “It cheered you up.”

“You always knew how to make me laugh.”

“And you knew how to make me smile.” He held her stare. His pulse skittered. The pull she’d always had on him as a teenager still gripped him. “Making you laugh was my favourite thing in the world, Sunset.”

She gasped. He gave her the nickname the night of their first kiss. They’d watched the sunset as he told her he’d had feelings for her for years, but had been too shy to say anything and scared to ruin his friendship with his best friend.

“Sunset?” Liss asked.

“Shush, nosey madam,” Bear whispered. “They’re having a moment.”

Millie reached for her juice, breaking eye contact and busying herself. “No moment. We’re chatting like old acquaintances. Isn’t that right, Strike?” She emphasised his name.

He tucked his smile back where it belonged, in the past. “Yes, Millie, that’s right.” He immersed himself in the salty goodness of the bacon he gobbled, yet his skin continued to prickle under her covert stare.

Bear’s phone flicked with light. Strike checked his notifications. The rest of the team was parking. Afterbreakfast, they’d discuss his plans, which included protecting Millie before saying goodbye to her forever again.

“I brought your memory box in. I wasn’t sure if you wanted it with you,” he said nonchalantly, not ready for the chatter to cease.

She worried her lip, making it even more rosy and kissable. “Memories can be a double-edged sword.”

The door banged.

Millie jumped. Her brown eyes were huge as she stared at him like he could save her. He wanted to run to her, to hold her. He manipulated his fidget tool aggressively.

“Mixie, it’s okay. It’s Stal, Nails, and Luke. You’re safe with me. I’ll never let anything happen to you, because you’re?—”

“Where’s the food? I’m fucking starving.” Stal’s Irish accent sounded in the hallway, along with his heavy footsteps.

Strike stood as Bear busied himself with the food, and Liss greeted the men walking through the doorway. Millie stared at him, her eyes still wild, expectant.

He pursed his lips and focused on his food.

Thank fuck he hadn’t finished the sentence. Nothing good could come from the word “mine.”

CHAPTER 11

Strike

Millie’s smile was as false as his aura of calm. He wanted to call her out and demand she share her thoughts, but he lost his rights to the wonders of her mind years ago.

Each member of his team hugged Liss before sitting.