“I doubt it.” He eyed me uncertainly for a moment. “Do we need to?”

“No, you most definitely do not. What we know, you know.” And I resisted the urge to cross my fingers behind my back when I said that.

Though his expression hadn’t altered, it was very evident he didn’t believe me. “She wants you there at nine.”

“We’ll try, but we do have an agency to run—”

“Is that what the phone call was about?”

“It’s none of you damn business, but yes, it was.”

“At this hour?” His voice was skeptical.

“Adultery has no time restrictions, Sam. You of all people should be aware of that. It’s what you accused me of, after all.”

Which wasn’t at all fair, given he had every right to do so. Maybe if I’d explained what I was, and what that meant for him and me, things might have been different for us . . . but I couldn’t change what I’d done. Not this time, with this man.

But the next rebirth, I was going to do as Rory suggested, and be honest. Hopefully, the next man destined to capture my heart would be more accepting.

And maybe, just maybe, I could live one lifetime happily in love.

Sam didn’t bite back, as much as I expected him to. His expression simply shut down, and that cloak of darkness swirled around him again. He didn’t fade into the night, but he sure as hell electrified it.

“And you might want to give us an address,” I continued, “because we were blindfolded and thrown into the back of a van last time we were there, remember?”

He gave me the address, then, with a nod, turned and walked out.

Jackson walked into the room, an eyebrow raised. “I take it from his expression that the two of you had words?”

“Yes. No.” I waved a hand in frustration. “That man just gets stranger and stranger. Maybe the virus has addled his brain.”

“Maybe you should stop bringing up the past and concentrate on the future.”

“Didn’t I tell you to butt out of that part of my life?”

“And I told you that was impossible.” His grin was decidedly unrepentant. “Who was on the phone?”

“Baker.” I paused and motioned to the other room. “Are you sure they’re gone?”

“Yep. Heard a van and a car start up. Why?”

“Because we have to get to Keilor Park stat.” I grabbed my jeans and pulled them on. “They’ve found Rinaldo.”

“And you didn’t tell Sam that? Your ass is grass when he finds out.”

I snorted. “Baker didn’t give me an option—either we do this his way, or we miss out on the action.”

“And that is something I have no intention of doing.” Jackson finished getting dressed. “I take it the rats are involved in this showdown?”