Page 28 of Criminally Yours

Bear hmphed. “They’re not that weird.”

Liss stared pointedly at him before returning to explain to Millie, “Stal, Nails, and Strike were in the SAS together,although they don’t talk about it.” Strike grunted. “They say Nails got his name because he’s hard as nails, but I’m not convinced.” Cam chuckled. “And Stal because of horses, although we joke it’s because he’s got a dick like a stallion’s.”

Millie choked, gulping water to clear it.

Liss steepled her fingers over her plate. “Bear’s nickname is related to something sweet, although he won’t tell you what. I had to have sex with him in the back room of a boxing match to learn it.”

“Secretsex,” Bear grumbled.

“Liss, where have you been all my life? I’ve always wanted a friend like you.” Millie covered her face with her hand. “Shit. I sounded like I was about five years old, didn’t I?”

Liss giggled. “Maybe we can braid each other’s hair and make cupcakes later,” she teased. “I need more female friends. These men are like teenagers. Some nights, they box while I’m trying to watch romcoms. Maybe you can help me convince them to do it naked.”

“Fucking hell,” Strike and Bear said.

Strike had seen Millie’s book choices. She liked the odd “why choose” romance. He didn’t want any other man to feature in her fantasies. Those weren’t the books he wanted to act out with her.

Blood rushed down his body as he remembered one of the books on her social media where the soldier guided his woman through her orgasm while she bathed, revelling in how she writhed in the water.

Strike’s need to control everything was evident in how he managed the business and his daily life, but he didn’t know if that was the same in sex. He fantasised about it, though, and the chapters where the man dominated his partner—tying her up, denying her orgasms, and being in charge of her pleasure—were the chapters that always made him come hardest.

Especially when he imagined acting them out with Millie.

“Luke hasn’t got a nickname yet, but we’re working on it,” Liss added.

“And Strike? He was always Caleb to me,” Millie said with a hint of wistfulness.

He puffed his chest at the minor win.

“But that was a long time ago. We’ve all changed since then,” she added, and his mood slammed back to the floor.

“That’s enough introductions. Millie is a client we’re taking on pro bono,” Strike continued.

Strike updated the group about the situation. Millie watched him as the group listened and nodded their understanding. His natural authority worked well with his team. He wasn’t the same goofy friend who made Millie playlists or acted out his favourite comedy scenes.

“We’ll stay here for one night, no more, and then we get out of the area and bed down somewhere they won’t search for Millie. I’ve got ideas, but anyone else?”

“You could use my house in a little Cornish town. I own it under a fake company without links to me. They wouldn’t find you there. You can hide out for weeks and pretend to be tourists,” Stal said.

Millie stared at him. With her head tilted and brow furrowed, she ran her finger across her lips. Strike sucked his cheeks hard and bit their insides. Weeks of forced proximity with Millie would fuck with his head, but the need to protect her was branded across his chest. He must rectify how he’d hurt her in the past by making her safe now.

“Strike,” Stal pushed. “The house.”

Strike flexed his forearms as he desperately tried to dismiss the distraction that threaded through every second in Millie’s presence. “Yes, that’s a great idea. We’ll do that. Thanks. Luke, I’ve got Millie’s phone for you. Get whatever you can off it.”

“Just videos from that night,” Millie squeaked.Strike’s neck pulsed. “There’s client information on there.” Millie’s gaze flitted to him before returning to Luke. “Please speak with me about whatever you find first,” she begged.

Luke nodded, although he side-eyed Strike, waiting for further instruction. He had to respect her and let her have her secrets, though the obsessive in him wanted to know what made her chest rise with rapid breaths.

“I’ll make sure it’s okay. Your secrets are safe,” Liss said, earning Millie’s grateful smile.

“I’ll speak to the police today. I have a connection there,” Strike added.

“Casey?” Cam asked.

“Is that another one of your squadron?” Millie asked.

“No,” Stal said with a laugh. “But we’ve all placed bets on what manoeuvres she and Strike have?—”