Page 128 of Criminally Yours

CHAPTER 54

Strike

“So this is it. How are we all?” Strike asked the team.

Cam and Bear glimpsed Strike warily.

“I’d feel a lot better if we weren’t standing in a lay-by and about to walk into a massive fucking trap,” Stal replied with a roll of his eyes.

Bear stared at where Strike held Millie’s hand and raised an eyebrow. Strike and Millie chatted throughout the long drive to the outskirts of London. As per their promise, they hadn’t discussed the future, but instead, they’d spoken about his army past and her studies.

“Do you think that’s what we’re facing?” Bear asked, leaning against Strike’s vehicle until he shook his head. Cam pretended to wipe a spot off the paintwork. Bear elbowed him.

“I’m not sure. But it’s a risk. We don’t have to go in. This is up to Millie.” Strike shrugged. “Luke thinks he might have the video any day now, but it’s touch and go.”

“And he might not,” Millie uttered. The men grumbled. “I’ve spent too much of my life waiting to live, but I’m ready now. I want to decide my future.”

She stared at Strike, her face lined with tension. He squeezed her hand.

“But you don’t have to risk your own lives,” she told the group.

“I’m in. I’m going wherever you are. I’ll protect you no matter what,” Strike replied. “All I’ve got to lose is you, and I will do everything to stop that. You’re it for me.”

His mouth tipped up briefly.

Cam glanced between them, and Stal’s eyes pinched.

Millie pecked Strike’s cheek with a chaste kiss.

“But Stal,” she said, turning to him, “you have a baby. I understand why you don’t want to risk getting hurt, especially after what happened the other day. You need to be there for Jenny.”

Stal shook his head. “Mills, you’ve been amazing since the day I met you. You let me call you up and have counselled me for free. I’m all in. Besides, I’ll be in the van, so I’m not in as vulnerable a situation as the others. You deserve the best bodyguards.”

“I’ll always do what Strike wants. He’s my guru. I like you, and your daily calls to Liss mean a lot to her,” Bear replied. “Hopefully, she and Luke will arrive before we cause hell in that house. She’s on the end of the phone with Luke nearby. She’ll call reinforcements or the police if we get to that.”

“Which leaves you,” she said to Cam. “Your family are important. You can walk away whenever you want.”

Cam laughed. “I have two families: my blood one and these lads. I’ve gone to hell and back with them, and I’d do it again. Besides”—he shrugged—“the Deputy Prime Minister won’t let the future Queen’s brother get killed in his house.”

Stal rolled his eyes. “You think a lot of yourself, mate.”

Cam hugged him. “Someone’s got to, and it’s not going to be your grumpy ass.”

All but Millie laughed. “You’re doing it for Strike, too.”

They shook their heads like an orchestrated drama. “Nah. He’s a bellend.”

“Dicks,” Strike replied before pulling Millie’s knuckles to his lips and ghosting them with a kiss.

“Can I stop this for a second?” Cam announced. “Is no one going to mention the massive fucking elephant in the room?”

“You better not be calling me an elephant, Cameron,” Strike replied.

“You are acting weird, Strike,” Stal grunted.

Cam threw his hands in the air. “He’s being a sweetie! He’s not growling or scowling, and he’s madly in love. Why isn’t anyone talking about it?”

“What’s your point?” Strike glared.