Black Wings, Gray Skies (Black Hat Bureau 4)

“It’s only been a couple of days, so pretty much business as usual.”

“Except when this is over, you can’t escape.”

“I fell off the radar for a decade, Clay. I can vanish again any time I like.”

It would gut me, and Colby would never forgive me for breaking up our little unit, but I could do it.

“I’m talking reality of the daily grind,” he pressed on. “Not escape hatch hypotheticals.”

“Okay?”

“We’ll follow you home, follow you to work, follow you home, follow you to work, on and on and on.”

“I’m confused.” I tread carefully. “Are we talking about me living with Asa or me living with you?”

“We’re not a package deal.” He picked at my comforter. “You don’t have to put me up too, you know.”

The reason for our heart-to-heart dawned on me, and I hated Clay felt he even had to ask.

“You’re family.” I took his hand. “For a long time, you were the only friend I had in the world.”

“You’re grown now.” He kept his head down. “You and Ace might want privacy one day.”

“One day, we might.” I held on to him tighter. “If that day comes, then we’ll knock down a wall and build on to the house. Give you your own soundproof golem-in-law suite. Colby’s been after me to build her a dedicated game room forever. It would be more of a favor to me, honestly.”

“Just don’t let me overstay my welcome.”

“Impossible.” I lunged at Clay, startling a laugh out of him, and wrapped my arms around his neck.

“Working up an appetite?” Asa poked his head into the room. “Breakfast is ready when you are.”

Evil grin on his face, Clay clamped one massive hand over my linked ones. He shrugged me over his shoulder, which flung me onto his back, and stood. I had no choice but to endure the piggyback ride.

“I’m too old for this,” I complained, smiling against his nape. “I’m not some bony kid anymore.”

“If I’m not too old for this, then you are, by default, fine.” He headed into the kitchen. “Let loose every once in a while. It’s good for the soul.” He grunted. “Though, I’ll be the first to admit, this might not be good for the back.”

“I will end you.” I leaned forward, bit the back of his silky mahogany wig, and mumbled, “Take it bath.”

“Are you telling me I stink?” He lifted an arm, sniffed. “I’m fresh as a daisy. No pores, remember?”

“Take it bath,” I tried again, yanking my head to tug on his hair. “Or elsth.”

“You have sharp teeth.” Asa stepped up beside us. “They’re better than a pair of clippers.”

Frozen on the spot, Clay attempted to turn his head, but I didn’t let him get far. “Rue.”

On my periphery, Asa pulled out a chair and angled it beneath me.

“Have you ever cut hair before?” Asa pretended to consider Clay’s nape. “Your lines are quite straight.”

“That’s it.” Clay let go, but Asa caught me with the chair. “You better be joking, or you’re both dead.”

“Oof.”I shifted my weight to one side and rubbed my tailbone. “He’s in a mood today.”

Asa didn’t say anything, which made me wonder how much he had overheard before interrupting us.

“He’s right, you know.” Asa unpacked several containers, along with bottled milk. “You don’t have to put us up at your house. We can find our own lodgings in town if it would make you more comfortable.”