Wicked and True (Wicked & Devoted 4)

“Thanks.”

“You all need anything else? Tessa volunteered earlier to come cook for everyone and play with the kids again if—”

“Tell her I appreciate it, but they’re all in hiding now. Dad, Logan, and I are staying visible. Everyone else these motherfuckers could use against us is somewhere safe.” He sighed again. “I just realized they’re in the safe house we prepared for Valeria and her family. Shit.”

Yeah, shit. “I know Trees and Kane were hoping to pull out tonight.”

“Which would put them back in town tomorrow. Fuck. I can’t think of any place—”

“Don’t worry about it now. I’ll talk to Trees later. We’ll put our heads together and come up with something.”

“If there’s any chance he’s guilty, I don’t want him involved in that decision.”

“He isn’t. I would swear my life on that.”

Hunter hesitated, then cursed. “We’ll talk about it later. I gotta go. Dad thinks he might have something new.”

“Keep me posted.”

“You got it.”

Zy ended the call with a sigh. He hoped something broke for the Edgington family soon. Kimber was the glue that held the family together with laughter and love. The colonel and the bosses would all be devastated if they lost her for good.

Fuck that. It was early days, and no one was giving up. Instead, Zy pocketed his phone and headed inside, making his way around the maze of walls, desks, and equipment. Finally, he maneuvered his way to One-Mile’s corner of the world.

“What’s up?” the sniper asked.

“You see anything in those parking lot cam images? That guy look familiar?”

Walker shook his head. “No. I even zeroed in. He positioned himself just right to—”

“Avoid our cameras. I know.” Zy cursed.

“And she has no idea what he wanted?”

“That’s what she said.”

The bosses would probably point out that’s what someone with something to hide would say, but Zy knew Tessa. If she didn’t know, she didn’t know.

“Thanks for trying, man.”

“Sorry I couldn’t do more. You need anything else before I head out?”

Zy shook his head. “Just talked to Hunter. They’ve got nothing new. I’ll keep you posted. But don’t go far. You never know when we’ll have to bounce.”

“Nothing new about that.” The sniper stood and grabbed his keys. “But unless the world is fucking ending, I’m not available on Valentine’s Day.”

It seemed totally unlike One-Mile to be sentimental. “Because it will be your first with Brea?”

“It will, but no.” He gave a wry smile. “That’s when we’re getting married. I let her pick the date.”

“And that’s the one she chose?” Zy snickered. “It’s kinda cute.”

Walker laughed with him. “Yeah. What are you gonna do? Happy wife, happy life.”

Only because Brea made him a very happy man in return. “Her father warming up to you?”

“A little better every day. At least I think he’s convinced now that I’m not going to bust into his house and tear up the joint before I beat the shit out of him.” He shrugged. “It’s progress.”

Zy wasn’t shocked. Walker looked like a mean, tattooed motherfucker. “Congrats.”

“Thanks. And now I have to get the hell out of here. Brea and I have another birth class tonight.”

“That’s cool. You must be excited.” It was crazy that the sniper would be a father by late spring.

“Try terrified.”

Zy raised a brow. “You, afraid? Seriously?”

He scoffed. “Once you’ve rolled around on the floor with a bunch of pregnant, hormonal women, talking about everything that could go wrong during birth, tell me how confident you feel about your balls staying attached.”

Then, with a tip of his head, the sniper was gone, leaving Zy alone.

Since they all had keys to the office, he could secure the place just fine…but it would be absolutely weird to lock up because all the bosses were gone. This business wasn’t just their livelihood. They’d all put their hundred percent into it, and the fact they weren’t around was another indicator of the gravity of the situation.

With a shake of his head, Zy shut down his laptop, locked up, and headed out to Tessa’s place. He arrived a few minutes later and entertained Hallie while she tossed together some tacos, beans, and salad. After he set the table, they sat, Tessa feeding Hallie before he took over for a bit to spell her.

Like the first time he’d stayed with these two, being here felt natural. They fell into a family rhythm, and he imagined being with them every night, every weekend, enjoying life together. He’d already called a jeweler this morning about rings. He had an appointment tomorrow afternoon. After that, he’d hopefully have something to put on her finger.

Once she agreed to move in with him—and he wouldn’t rest until she did—how long before he should pop the question? How long before she’d be ready to say yes?

Fucking soon, he prayed. He wanted this. He wanted her and Hallie and to expand their family. And he wanted it right now.