“Thanks.”
“Godspeed, Lennox.”
“Godspeed, Keon.”
I ended the call no less worried about what I was about to undertake, but buoyed by my brother’s news, both personal and professional.
When I came out of the office, I found Kick and Rebel seated at the breakfast bar, chatting. Was it really necessary that the two be so amiable?
“Rile was looking for you,” he said when he saw me studying them.
“Was he here?” I asked, annoyed with his lack of detail.
“He called.”
I inwardly growled and stalked back into the office. Rather than calling Rile, I rang Grinder.
“Isn’t there anyone else we could put on Rebel’s detail?” I asked before he could say as much as hello.
When he laughed, I wanted to reach through the mobile and throttle him.
“I’m not joking.”
“Listen to yourself. It’s gotten personal, Edge,” he said, his voice turning serious. “Too personal.”
“Sod off.”
“You’re falling in love with her.”
“What’s your point?”
“Maybe instead of questioning whether Kick should be on Rebel’s detail, you should be questioning whether you’re the right man for this op.”
If anyone else had dared utter those words to me, I wouldn’t have accepted it. Grinder was different. He was my best mate, and if anyone could shake some sense into me, he could.
“You still there?” he asked.
“Yes, and you’re right.”
“What are you going to do about it?”
“Get my bloody head back on straight.”
“You best. By the way, Decker needs to talk to you.”
I heard a rustling sound and then Decker’s voice on the line.
“Listen, I’ve got eyes and ears in place, but I need you to activate them.”
“Since when do they need to be activated?”
“Since I fucked up.”
It was unusual for Decker to make a mistake, and even rarer for him to admit it. I had no idea what to say.
“Look, Edge, this isn’t an excuse, but…Mila’s pregnant.”
Unsure what to say, I congratulated him.