Page 65 of Wrecked With You

I care though. Because The Serpent knows about Winston’s past, and I care about my friend.

I texted Winston an hour ago, letting him know that The Serpent is in our custody. He’s out of the state right now, but I know he’s going to be interested in what’s in the bastard’s head. Maybe it’ll even bring him some closure.

I doubt it though.

I walk over to Tony then reach for his hand. I pull back at the last minute, afraid that if I make the connection, I won’t ever want to break it again. “How are you holding up?”

“I’m hanging in there. I can’t believe we’re this close to the end. Feels like time has started moving more slowly.”

“We’re getting closer,” I assure him. “Eventually Quincy will find out about your father.”

Tony nods. “I know. I spent years working with that man. If Quincy can’t find out where my father is, then my father doesn’t exist on this planet.”

He flashes me a smile, and I feel a bit of relief flow through me. I can’t imagine how hard this is on him, knowing that his father has been alive all this time when the only thing he ever wanted to do was make the son-of-a-bitch pay for destroying Tony’s family and childhood.

He looks at me, then reaches out and tucks a lock of my hair behind my ear. It’s a casual gesture, but intimate at the same time. I feel the shiver of connection run through me.

Exactly what I didn’t want to feel. Exactly what I want.

And I tell myself that this is not the time or the place for these emotions. Right now, this is about Tony and his father and what’s happening in that interrogation room.

“Do you want to be on the team when we go after my father?” Tony asks.

I feel my eyes go wide with surprise. “Hell, yes.”

I see a hint of a smile touch his lips. “We agree that I’m the one leading the team?”

“Honestly, I think you’re too emotionally involved. But I also know you’ll throw a tantrum if you don’t lead it.”

He chuckles. “Damn right I will.” He looks me up and down. “You’re exhausted.”

“You look pretty sharp and spiffy yourself.”

“I mean it. You’re completely drained. And I know I am too. If you want to be on the team, I need you sharp. I need you rested. I need me rested too.”

“Fine.” I look at him. “I’m going to my place to take a nap. I have a guest bedroom. Do you want to come with me, or shall we meet back here later?”

He hesitates before answering, then says, “A guest bedroom sounds perfect.”

We’re in my living room in under fifteen minutes. And once again, I want to touch him. To tell him that this will all be okay. To let him know that I believe it will soon be over.

And to reassure him that that I’m there for whatever he needs.

As for what I need…

I need the feel of his arms around me. I need to feel his body against mine. I need this to be over so that I can have this man again.

But I have to be realistic, too. I know that it might never be over. The Serpent might not know where Clyde Morgan is. Or if he does know, Morgan may well have moved on. There’s no certainty in this business. As I’m fast learning, there’s no certainty in relationships either.

I don’t say any of that, of course. Instead, I just point Tony toward the guest bedroom and ask him one simple question. “You’ll wake me if Quince calls?”

“Of course.”

I nod. “Okay then. I’ll see you when he calls or when we both wake up. Whichever comes first.”

I don’t bother changing clothes. I’m too wiped. All I do is kick off my shoes, then pull back the duvet and slide under. I think I’m asleep before my head even hits the pillow, but I come wide awake, the moment I feel the mattress shift.

“It’s okay. It’s me.” I feel his hand on my hip at the same time as he speaks, and I relax into my pillow.