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"It’s Grand Central around here tonight," Eva " Chuch pushed hionna go mess around online"

Moon stepped out, and I walked along with hi up the drive Jesse raised a brow "What’s going on, Nate?"

The other cop planted his feet "I ht ask you the same question"

"It’s none of your business what I do in ined the tension between theuy onabout him I had a mean streak, like Chance said, but I tried to ot

"Fine," Nate snarled "But re to take her down, one way or another"

I watched hiet into his car Daator could afford a silver BMW convertible A ride like that would run over a hundred grand, easy, but ht in a shack Some people would rather drive their disposable income than live in it

To be safe, I watched until his taillights receded from view Moon would be back His type hatedas reincarnation, he would’ve been an inquisitor in another life

Jesse looked at me "Can we talk a minute?" Honestly I didn’t feel up to a conversation with Jesse, not after the way he went off on istered with him, he murmured, "You’re hurtand exhausted Let me see How bad is it?"

"I’m okay," I muttered

Not that edrooone with Chuch to ain,else entirely Muffled thules came from behind the closed office door For all of fifteen seconds I considered the ruined rug I hoped they’d scrubbed up the black junk

Jesse cupped ers, he brushed the daet you so, Saldana had treated me like his worst ene ht, Chance toldthe beast with two backs with Twila What with the conflicting signals from men in my life, I was about ready to becoood one, and he was hter underscored that point It would’ve been nice if they’d askedfor the slap and tickle, though I scowled

I still needed to do laundry, da until I heard Butch scratching at the bedroom door Oh, yeah As I didn’t want him to pee on the carpet, I hurried to let hiht out, did his business, and then ca leaped into my lap and curled up, as if he knew I needed a wared from the kitchen, he drew up short, ice pack in hand "Tell rowled

"It’s not," I said obediently

"Is there no end to the trouble you’ll get into?" He sighed and came toward us

"It hasn’t ended yet"

As Jesse sat down, the Chihuahua lifted his head and snarled low in his throat Honest to God, he sounded like afor ‘touch her and I bite your nuts off’?"

Butch barked once

Briefly I considered explaining the exchange and then decided that puzzlement was better than comprehension It wouldn’t do to share all , and this one had so I wanted I reached for the ice

"He’s a little unsettled," I said instead "I’ets past his recent bereave, but he didn’t speak the thought aloud "I caize I shouldn’t have said what I did I was mad at myself and I took it out on you There’s no excuse I’ hassled by my partner Guy doesn’t knohen to cut somebody a break and he’s not much on the people skills"

"You don’t like him" It wasn’t a question

He hesitated a moment and then answered, "No Not really When he makes up his mind about a case, he doesn’t ot a hard-on for you I’"

I put the damp towel on my head and closed my eyes "Don’t worry about it"

"No, I overstepped, and it ive entled "Because you’re just getting to know other gifted, and I’s go wrong, sugar"

"It’s okay" The apology warmed me I didn’t often hear those words from people who meant the else I don’t want you to be alaruson slipped his leash in Louisiana"

Shock washed overJesus, Mary, and Joseph, if he was after h In the courtrooive up

"So hefor me" Yes, I stated the obvious

After what I’d been through this afternoon, however, Ferguson didn’t scare e