“No.” He’d given in earlier, but now he’d seen firsthand what Gary liked to do for fun. However, Wolfe had learned that bossing Dana around only resulted in her challenging him to a boxing match, and at the moment, she’d probably win. So he tried for logic, which certainly wasn’t his strong suit. “You said we were dating, right?”

“Yes.” She cuddled closer.

“You know me, better than I’ve let anybody else know me.” The words were coming more slowly as sleep tried to draw him in, but this was important.

She sighed and settled against him. “I know.”

The aspirin, ice, and woman were having a calming effect, and his heart rate slowed. “Then you understand, whether you like it or not, that I’ll do everything I have to in order to keep you safe. Even piss you off.”

“I don’t think—”

He cut her off before he dropped into sleep against his will. “You do think and you do know. Make sure that you really want this and you really want me, because I’ve never had anything or anybody that was just mine.” The words poured out of him with no filter, because his energy was gone. “There are consequences to being with me, whether you like it or not. Sleep on it and let me know where we stand in the morning.” His words might’ve slurred on the end.

“Wolfe, I don’t want to argue with an injured man.” Her yawn cracked her jaw.

“There’s no argument.” He kissed her forehead. “Some things just are. Tell me you get me so we can sleep and heal.” He tightened his hold.

“Fine. I get you.” She buried her nose in his neck. “I can decide now and not wait until we wake up. I do really want this, but you need to know me, too.”

“Fair enough.”

She kissed his jaw, snuggled down, and was asleep in seconds.

Wolfe followed her into dreamland, hoping she really did understand him. He’d allowed his life and this relationship to enter the fuzzy gray zone where he wasn’t sure what was happening, and that had to end now. The crime scene had proven that.

It was time to hunt.

Chapter Thirty-Six

Chapter Thirty-Six

Tuesday morning landed with caramel-topped lattes for the entire crew. The unit had taken Monday off, but Wolfe had slept most of the day away, healing. By the time the morning arrived, Dana was stretched thin, wondering when Wolfe would want to have that discussion. Or rather, that fight.

Dana led Roscoe into the basement offices with Wolfe carrying the trays of lattes. She wanted to get going on work and tried not to champ at the bit to get back on this story and take down Theresa Rhodes and Gary Rockcliff for Candy.