High praise, indeed. “I think that’s up to her.” Raider grinned. He’d definitely jumped the gun, declaring love so soon, but it was true, so why not say it? To think he’d thought he wanted somebody pliant and predictable. Ha. Brigid was neither of those things. Though he’d probably have to date her for a while and convince her that nice guys who followed the law were better than rebels without a clue.

Sometimes he had a clue.

Force limped out of his office and sat in Mal’s chair, wheezing when he moved. “Just heard from the hospital. Nari is better and her memory is returning, which is good. Dana’s online podcast has a zillion hits already, and she’s busy typing up an exposé for the AP, so we might be okay.”

Sean studied Force. “Did you get hit by a train?”

“Close enough. I let the whole team know that Brigid didn’t betray us at any point, and I apologized profusely to her for not being nice. Then she fell asleep.” Force put his head back and groaned. “Is it just me, or are these cases getting harder?”

“You’d better be nice to my girl,” Sean muttered, rubbing a bruise on his chin.

Raider prodded the bruise on his temple. One of the many bruises on his temple. “Every member of our team, except Roscoe, has some sort of damage, so yeah. It’s getting worse.”

Force opened one eye. “Not Malcolm. He remained intact during this one.”

Raider shook his head. “Nope. He took a knife to the ribs and left thigh. Wolfe stitched him up a couple hours ago, and there was swearing. A lot of swearing. West can string expletives together in a truly impressive fashion.”

“Huh.” Force gingerly prodded the long steering-wheel-shaped bruise on his forehead. “The dog always manages, somehow. We should take lessons.”

Raider snorted. “That dog is freakin’ nuts. Though, he was all business on the raid.”

Force smiled. “Yeah. He was the best before we got blown up the final time. He can still get serious when needed.” He gestured toward Sean’s baseball cap. “You’re off the hook, in general. Going to stop being an ass and take your daughter to a game?”

Sean nodded. “Yeah. She’s coming home for Christmas, and I think she’s bringing this big bruise of an agent over here.”

Raider perked up. “She said that?”

Sean grinned. “I believe she said she’d consider it. Play a little hard to get, man.”

Force snorted.

The elevator dinged, and Raider straightened, looking around. “Everyone who should be here is already here.” He reached for the gun in his waistband. “We need better security.”

“We don’t have any security,” Force retorted.

The dog padded out of the office and sneezed several times, his gaze on the elevator.

It opened to reveal two men.

“Ah, shit,” Force muttered. “What are you two assholes doing here?”