Page 169 of Fallen Rook

“Of course.” I’d never done anything to compromise the bureau before.

“Then it is settled. He saved my best friend in ways I never could, even on the battlefield. I reckon we can spare his life.” He nodded, slapping his thigh. “So when am I meeting him?”

I was stunned by his easy sacrifice, though I would gladly return the favor if the roles were reversed. Something about looking death in the eye together had entwined Zeke and I in ways a stranger wouldn’t understand.

“That’s gonna have to wait until things cool down.”

“That goes without saying.” He waved a hand at me, standing. “In the meantime, lie low, lawyer up, don’t talk to anyone, and make sure not to be seen with any of the Ferrantes.”

“Don’t do anything stupid to save me,” I warned.

“Why?” He smiled warmly. “You’ve done stupid things to save me. Uruzgan, 2014. Remember?”

I had saved him on the field that day, in the trenches, under fire. Dragged him, fatally injured and barely conscious, to a makeshift shelter until we were found. Yelled at him to stay alive, or Denise and the girls would never forgive him. I’d bargained and threatened and made stupid jokes. Kept him awake while death hovered above him. I had risked my life to save his, and though that was many moons ago, at our core, we were still the same people, who shared a very dangerous trait: We were loyal to the point of stupidity. Men you could depend on when things went to shit.

I stared at my hands, feeling too much to let Zeke see what was playing on my face. “I… Thank you.”

“No problem. Now grab your shit and get the hell out. Save us both the embarrassment of your being escorted out of the building.”

Thirty minutes later, I exited my office carrying one cardboard box with my most important belongings—phone, charger, a picture of Grams, a letter Silas had written me for a literacy project, and a baseball signed by Jacob deGrom. Sully watched me from his office as I left. I flipped him the bird without breaking my stride.

When I got into my car, I pulled out my phone.

I decided not to tell Enzo about my imminent redundancy. Didn’t want him to feel bad for me or obligated to shorten the timeframe he needed to be ready for our relationship. And, above all, I didn’t want him feeling guilty. Because he’d never asked for any of this. It was my choice to shit on my career to save his ass. I’d walked into this with eyes wide open. Plus, given the chance, I wouldn’t change a thing.

There was a new text message from him. I opened it.

Butterfly: Did you smile today?

Me: Not yet.

Butterfly: Do you want to?

Me: Always.

Me: Is this…?

Butterfly: Yeah. I bought lingerie to seduce you with for when we finally reunite.

Me: It’s just…a footlong sour rainbow?

Butterfly: Right. As I said. Lingerie.

Me: You’re deranged.

Butterfly: That’s such a weird way of saying you love me.

Me: I do love you.

Butterfly: I love you too, baby. Go back to work. I have therapy in half an hour.

Me: Break a leg.

Butterfly: Already did earlier bc dude refused to pay back a loan. Can you believe the audacity of some people?

Me: Goodbye, Enzo.