‘I need her on the PI side. She would be a natural for bodyguard work, though.’
‘What if I took over the PI side?’ Stevie asked, rushing the words out of her throat before she lost her nerve. ‘I’m walking better. I might never run, but I’m a damn good investigator. I’d have to get a license, but that shouldn’t—’ She scowled. ‘Why are you laughing?’
He crossed the room, kissed her soundly. ‘I was wondering how to bring it up. I kept hoping Hyatt would tell you that you’d be on permanent disability so that you’d have to consider other options. But are you sure? You’d leave the force?’
‘Clay, I became a cop to help people, to do the right thing. I did help people and I like to think I’ve done the right thing as consistently as I could. The Baltimore PD isn’t the only place I can do that. I can still help people, working for you. Paige says she pulls some all-nighters, but most of the time she’s home for dinner. I want to be home for Cordelia. And I want to be home for you. And if I can help you help other people along the way, why not? What do you say?’
‘I say you’re hired.’
She smiled, leaning up on her toes to seal the deal with a kiss, but he stopped her.
‘Not so fast. We need to agree on the terms. I never planned to buy this house in my own name,’ he said, swinging the topic back to the beginning.
She rolled her eyes. ‘We’re back to the house?’
‘We are. I buy all my property through corporations and bury them in other corporations. If someone finds me it’s because they really want to and they’re really good.’
‘They found your dad,’ she pointed out.
‘Because he bought his house in his name. For the majority of people, that’s not a problem, but you and I aren’t the majority, Stevie. We make enemies. I protect what’s mine, and the first rule is to not let them find you in the first place. So I’ll buy this house through the business.’
‘So technically, I’d be renting office space,’ she said. ‘Not letting you buy me a house.’
‘I think that would keep you from being a fallen woman in Cordelia’s eyes. So, partners?’
She blinked. ‘I’m not a partner. I’m just starting.’
‘You bring street cred. As does Paige. You’re a nationally known detective. She’s a nationally known martial artist. I can’t think of better partners to run my PI and bodyguard businesses. I’ve already had my attorney draw up the papers listing the three of us as full partners. I haven’t told Paige yet. I was waiting to tell you first.’
Her chest was tight with emotion – gratitude, love, and excitement. It was the perfect solution, which came as no surprise. Perfect solutions were what Clay did best. ‘I’d get special partner benefits, right?’
‘Like what?’
‘Like exclusive access to the senior partner, any time of the day or night.’
His eyes lit up. ‘Of course.’
‘Then I guess the only question is when can I move in?’
‘As soon as you choose paint colors for the walls. I bought the house yesterday.’
Her mouth fell open. ‘You sneak. You manipulated me again.’
He slid his arms around her waist, holding her loosely. ‘Are you mad?’
‘Not really. Nothing you can’t make up to me anyway. We have two hours before Cordelia needs to be picked up from school. I suggest you use it wisely.’
He nuzzled her neck. ‘I think I have some idea of how to start.’
‘Somehow I thought you might.’
Karen Rose, Watch Your Back
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