Page 77

Dante breaks into a grin.

“Finally. I was beginning to think I wasted the handcuffs.”

Rhys releases him. His attention remains fixed on me.

“This cannot be a decision you make because you feel responsible for us.”

“It isn’t.”

“Or because you’re still caught in the fantasy.”

“I’m standing in a parking lot at sunrise with hay in my hair and no underwear. The fantasy has suffered.”

Dante looks at Rhys’s pocket.

“You kept those?”

Rhys ignores him.

“Sloane.”

I step closer.

“This is not forever.”

His expression doesn’t change, but something guarded enters his eyes.

“I know.”

“It isn’t even a relationship yet.”

“I know.”

“I’m staying for breakfast. Maybe lunch. If all of you continue behaving, possibly dinner.”

Dante raises his hand.

“What qualifies as behaving?”

“No more chain saws before coffee.”

“That was Callum.”

“No stealing my underwear.”

Rhys looks entirely unapologetic.

“No attempting to murder one another because I touch someone else.”

Callum’s jaw tightens.

“That rule seems unnecessary.”

“It’s specifically for you.”

“I didn’t attempt to murder anyone.”

“You threatened Dante at least four times.”