I make sure to lock the door behind us. Chance is busy following Murphy with his stuffed animals. “I helping,” he assures me.

“Good job.”

When the guys are finished, Z prowls over and kisses my cheek. “I’m sorry, but I need to get back,” he explains in a low voice. “You can come over to the clubhouse later.”

“Are you sure?” My gaze strays to Chance.

“Yeah, it’s a good night for you guys to be there.”

“All right.”

He turns and shakes Alex’s hand, then crouches down to speak to Chance for a few seconds.

“Thank you for your help, Murphy.”

“No problem.” His lips quirk. “I go where the prez tells me.”

“I still appreciate it. I’m excited Heidi’s coming down tomorrow. Looking forward to seeing her and Alexa.”

“You and me both.” His gaze slides toward Z. “This is gettin’ old.”

He allows me to give him a brief hug before leaving with Z.

“Do you want to grab lunch?” I ask Alex. “That took less time than I expected.”

“You didn’t have much.” Disapproval rolls off him in waves but I don’t feel like probing to find out what’s bothering him.

“So, what’s the story, Lilly? He moved you down here to this…little domestic palace so you can play gangster mistress?”

Apparently, I won’t have to ask. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?” I seethe, praying Chance can’t overhear us.

“What are you doing? Have you bothered to even look for a job since you’ve been back, or are you now just a kept woman?”

“That’s what you’re so concerned about? That I don’t have a job?”

“That, among other things. Like, what, are you besties with all his thug buddies now too?”

“Murphy isn’t a thug and he’s been nothing but kind to me and Chance. His daughter is around Chance’s age. Since when are you such a judgmental prick?”

“Oh,” he says, finally backing off.

“Yeah, oh. You need to get over this, Alex. I’m tired of you offering opinions on my relationship.” I throw my hands in the air. “I can’t win with you. If I was working, you’d bitch that Z wasn’t taking care of me and Chance properly. I’m not working and you’re complaining about that. Make up your mind.”

“I’m worried about you being so far away now.”

“You didn’t worry this much when I was in California.”

He rakes his hands through his hair and blows out a breath. “Fine. You’re sure you feel safe and this is what you want?”

“Yes.”

“Okay. If you change your mind, though, you call me and I’ll come get you.”