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He didn’t need any light to know who it was.

His lips curved up at the ends as he shut off his vehicle and pocketed his keys.

After shoving the driver’s door open, he unfolded himself from his Bronco, and within three strides, he stood at the bottom of the steps. “You walk all the way down here?”

“Yes. It didn’t hurt for me to get a few more steps in today.”

He glanced around. “In the dark and in the woods?”

She rose to her feet. “Do you think it’s dangerous?”

“In the dark and in the woods?” he repeated, climbing the stairs to join her on the porch.

She turned enough to point out her holstered Glock that still sat on the top step. More proof he was slipping around Vi since he should’ve noticed her weapon immediately. “I’m prepared for any boogey monsters that might pop out of the woods.”

“Like a bear?”

“My .40 certainly won’t kill a bear, it’ll just piss him off. Anyway, black bears will spook and run off unless some idiot is feeding them. You aren’t feeding them, are you?”

“Am I an idiot?”

She chuckled. “No, but Zeke is.”

Those two were always busting each other’s balls. But Reaper had his money on Vi. She could be ruthless.

“I’m not responsible for my prez’s intelligence.”

“Funny. His parents claim the same.”

He snorted. “So, what are you doing here, boss?”

“I’m not here because of work.”

No shit. “I figured that.”

“Then you know now’s not the appropriate time to call me boss.”

“Just bossy?”

“If you must.” She lifted the master key. “I was tempted to let myself in but I didn’t want to violate your privacy. Plus, I didn’t want to discover photos of me tacked to your walls indicating you’re a serial killer. I’d have to fire you and that would suck.”

He chuckled. “Just to be clear, me killing you wouldn’t suck? Only the you firing me part?”

“That would too, but I might be able to best you.”

“Might be doing some heavy lifting here.”

Now that his eyes had adjusted to the dim lighting, he could see her eyebrows rise. “You don’t believe me.”

“I wouldn’t want to put that theory to the test.”

“You wouldn’t want to take me on?” she asked.

“I’m about to take you on but not in the way we’re discussing.”

“Maybe I didn’t come here for that. Maybe I only wanted to put eyes on you to make sure you’re okay.”

“Maybe you’re a liar since you said you being here wasn’t about work.”