Page 71 of Fallow
I snigger a little more before that comfortable silence falls over us again.
“Yeah, well,” he says, still sulking. “It seemed like the kind of secret you’re supposed to tell someone before you begin cohabitating at their mafia compound. It’s a terrible name. I got the nickname Fallow when I was still a teenager and left my first multi-murder crime scene looking like a raided medieval village. Fallow is badass. Brady never needs to be spoken out loud again, now that you know.”
I’m still smiling, but I agree. Honestly, it’s very cool that he told me. He’s putting his money where his mouth is for this whole relationship thing, that’s completely new to both of us and bound to have roadblocks.
“Also, Murphy might slip up and use it when we see him. He’s the only one who still says it occasionally.”
I blow out a slow breath and give him one final kiss before we have to get up. Business calls, and invoking Murphy’s name has reminded me.
“Are you nervous?”
He shrugs.
“Maybe a bit. Less now. But hopefully he’ll be distracted from my shenanigans by the whole unknown-organization-cross-country-kidnapping ring situation. We can focus on that.”
“So it’s awenow? You’re included in the Banna business?” I ask.
“Well, I’m invested now. I can’t have you running off on a hairbrained scheme and getting murdered, and you can’t exactly leave your dick at home for me. So, we’ll be scheming together.”
I smile again. I’ve been doing a lot of that lately, and it still feels a little weird.
“Alright, deal. Honestly, we don’t even have to go. I can claim I’m needed at home and send someone else to deal with the mess, I’m fucking tired. We’ll make a separate trip to see Ellery once the drama calms down, we don’t need an excuse.”
Fallow nods, and we hold each other’s gaze for a long time.
“Whatever it is, we’ll deal with it together. Because we’re putting each other first. Fuck the Banna. It’s just a job. This is what’s important.” I gesture between us.
“Agreed, little rabbit. You and me. Fuck the Banna.”
