Page 45 of Knotted their Beauty

My dick is obviously not a good judge of character, and I need to know more about both Baron and Lennox before I start thinking with anything other than him.

“Boss man?”

I open my eyes and blink a few times, focusing on Sy before shifting between him and Marley. “Yeah?”

He chuckles and shakes his head. “Thought maybe you were catching a quick nap.”

I frown. “What?”

“We’ve been talking for a few minutes and you haven’t heard one thing we’ve said,” Marley says with a small giggle. “It’s not uncommon for you to sleep at the office, it’s just not the norm for you to do it mid conversation at lunchtime.”

I crack a grin and shake my head. “Sorry. I’ve been going pretty hard at this case, my mind keeps wandering.”

“Why don’t we break for lunch?” She stands and stretches before smoothing out the front of her slacks. “None of us have been balancing things very well since that body was found. I think we need to try and fix that or else we have⁠—”

“A snowball’s chance in hell at finding this peckerhead,” Sy says with all of his southern flare as he gets to his feet. “Time to refuel, maybe catch forty winks, then say, we head down to the coroner’s office to see if the artist has finished up the reconstruction?”

“Yeah, that sounds good,” I nod and blow out a breath. “I need to check in back home, too.”

Marley smiles wide as she asks, “How is Cali? I miss her adorably blunt little self.”

Me too. “She’s great. Arlo is taking great care of her. He’s keeping her busy while I’m away.”

“Taking care of you, too, boss man?” Sy wags his eyebrows. “He’s a pretty little thing, isn’t he? Real sweet kid. I’m glad you made your move to lock him down.” I frown but he just laughs. “It’s obvious, Ves, but only because we know you so well. Arlo obviously means something to you, and you’re more spacey than normal, which can only mean one thing. Facetime doesn’t lie.”

I forgot about that.

Cali called me yesterday while I was with Sy and he must have noticed when she put Arlo on.

They knew about the new nanny when I hired him, met him briefly when we were back in LA, but I haven’t exactly shared any relationship updates since we’ve made things relatively official. What it really boils down to is the fact that Sylas and Marley have been my team ever since I was transferred to Los Angeles, and they quickly became two people I trust and actually care about. We know each other well, and it shouldn’t surprise me that Sy picked up on things without being told.

“I’m probably going to bring them out here a little more long term,” I huff. “I don’t want to uproot Cali, but with this recent victim and current state of things, I need them out here with me while we’re working the case.” Then I arch a brow in his direction. “Because yes, Arlo and I are together, and I don’t want to be away from him or my daughter any longer than I have to be.”

“I love that,” Marley sighs dreamily. “Plus, Cali is my girl. I need a spa day and there is no one in the world I’d rather do that with than her. I miss that little peanut.”

They met her when she was a baby and instantly became the extended family my daughter didn’t really have. Not outside of my parents and siblings, and since Marley and Sy know them, too, it all just makes sense. Not to mention, my kid is an absolute magnet. Everyone she meets adores her and wants to be in her orbit, I’m just extremely cautious about who I let into it.

These two were an exception I’d make one thousand times over and never change a thing about it.

“Go eat. I’ll get things rolling with Cali and Arlo.” I hold up my hand as they both open their mouths. “And I’ll call for takeout. I’ll make sure to eat lunch, Mom and Dad, don’t worry.”

They both laugh as they head out of the office, and I slump back in my chair.

I’m definitely going to need my family out here as soon as possible because I have a feeling, thirteen victims in, and we’re only getting started.

This case is going to be one for the books, there is no doubt in my mind. I just hope it doesn’t drive me insane before I get the chance to solve it.

Retirement in the looney bin isn’t exactly my idea of a good time.

Chapter

Fourteen

LENNOX

I typically love the cheers of the crowd as I finish a performance, but for the first time in ages, it feels a little hollow.

“Want to go out with us?” Maeve asks after our final curtain call. “The bar around the corner is open until two.”