“Fine, but if you don’t, I might, because she is…” Carter doesn’t get to finish his sentence because I have already grabbed him by the collar and pushed him against the wall. He laughs then because he got what he wanted, which was to prove that Little Red was more than just a visitor at this point.

“Fuck,” I sigh, letting him go as he continues to chuckle, running my hand through my hair.

“You are wasting time, man. She is a pretty little thing, and you deserve someone new in your life. It has been a long time since Angelina. It will do you good to have someone here for you,” Carter says seriously, and it gives me pause.

Is that what I want? Do I want to get closer to the woman who sleeps in my bed every night? I should stay away from her, but like a moth to a flame, I can’t seem to distance myself.

Our moment gets interrupted by Carter’s cell phone as it shrills from his pocket.

“Yeah?” Carter answers as I walk back around to my desk and take a seat.

“What? When?” I am familiar with that tone, and I sit up, immediately on guard.

“Okay give us ten.” He hangs up before looking at me.

“We have found a Russo. Federico was just spotted down near Allure. Our team is following him now. We need to roll. I will go and grab a few things, and I will meet you in the basement,” he says before turning and walking swiftly out the door.

I pull out my desk drawer and grab my gun, ensuring it is loaded, then put it in the belt of my pants at my back. Grabbing my jacket from the back of my desk chair, I pull it on before quickly walking down the hall to see Leo, since I may not be back in time to say goodnight. But as I get closer to his room, I stop abruptly at the sound of her voice.

“I seriously wish I could make one like that,” I hear her say. Quietly, I take a few more steps and peer around the bedroom door to see her sitting on the floor, cross-legged, playing with Leo.

“How do you get those wings to stay on? Mine always falls off.” I watch as he takes her model and fixes the wings on the spaceship before handing it back to her.

“Awesome! Thanks!” she says enthusiastically before continuing.