Fitz cringed. Oh, there was that too.

  “What did I say about the pet names?” Joker fumed, standing in front of the phone Laz held out, glaring at it like he could set it on fire if he tried hard enough.

  “You shouldn’t glower so hard, darling. You’ll get wrinkles on that pretty face of yours.”

  Fitz managed to contain his laughter, but Ace didn’t even bother, barking out a laugh so loud he startled Chip, who gave Ace a piece of his mind. Ace scratched him behind his ear and hushed him before turning his attention back to Joker, whose face was crimson, his eyes huge, but then his brows furrowed.

  “Don’t you have some orphans to save or baby pandas to rescue from extinction?”

  “Cubs,” Gio said, the smile evident in his voice.

  “What?”

  “Baby pandas are called cubs.”

  “Do I look like I give a fuck what baby pandas are called?”

  “Such language, Sacha. We’ll have to do something about those manners.”

  Fitz covered his mouth as he moved his stunned gaze to Laz, who stared back at Fitz, a silent conversation happening between them.

  Holy shit, did you hear that?

  Laz nodded, his lips pressed together to keep from bursting with whatever it was he wanted to say. They all turned their gazes to Joker, who stood exceptionally still, so still Fitz worried the guy had short-circuited. Joker narrowed his eyes at the phone. When he spoke, his voice was low and dangerous.

  “And who’s going to teach me? You?”

  There was a pause.

  “Perhaps.”

  “Bring it, asshole.” Joker turned and stormed from the room, leaving everyone gaping after him. Even Chip was confused. He looked to where his person had disappeared, then back to Ace, who shrugged.

  “Don’t look at me. He’s your partner.”

  “Is that Chip?” Gio asked. Chip barked, and Gio’s soft laugh came over the phone. “Such a good boy. Go with Daddy.”

  Chip barked before trotting off after Joker.

  What the hell just happened?

  “Are you kidding me?” Ace grumbled. “He doesn’t listen to me, but he listens to you. He’s never even met you!”

  Gio hummed. “He’s desperate to submit, but only to the right partner.”

  Ace stared at the phone, and Red almost choked on the drink he’d been swallowing.

  “Laz, please take me off speaker. The rest of my conversation is private. It was lovely to hear you all.”

  Fitz and the others said their goodbyes, including a wheezed “Bye” from Red as Colton patted his back. Laz excused himself and left the kitchen.

  The room was silent, and Fitz couldn’t take it any longer. “Oh my God, please tell me you all thought the same thing.”

  Ace took Colton’s cocktail and swallowed the remaining half in two gulps before putting the glass on the counter. “Yeah, but Gio’s halfway across the world, so we’re safe, right?”

  “From Gio?” Colton asked, looking puzzled.

  “From Joker,” Red said, pouring a shot of whiskey for Ace and one for himself. They threw the alcohol back, and Ace shook from head to toe. Fitz understood completely. Joker might be the smallest of the group, but he was the most explosive, and no one got under Joker’s skin like Gio. A few words from the man and Joker was ready to detonate.

  “It’s fine. We’re fine,” Ace said, waving a hand in dismissal. Was he trying to convince them or himself? “Gio lives on another continent, his work is abroad, and he hasn’t been home in years.”

  “You’re right.” Red nodded. “Though Laz would love it if Gio came home.”

  Fitz took a seat at the counter and picked up a slice of cheese to nibble on. “Anyone going to check on Joker?”

  Ace and Red exchanged glances, with Ace being the first to reply. “Um, no. I like my internal organs inside my body.” Red nodded his agreement. “But you can go,” Ace said with a bright smile. “You’re still new to the group, and his best friend likes you. Chances are Joker won’t disembowel you.”

  Fitz chose to ignore the part about Jack. He went in search of Joker, though he imagined if Joker didn’t want to be found he wouldn’t be. Fitz had been all over the mansion and was about to give up when he saw something black tearing down the beach. Heading out into the humid evening, he welcomed the salty breeze from the ocean. The sound of the crashing waves grew louder as Fitz made his way down the private walkway that led to the beach. When he got to the end, he removed his shoes and stuffed his socks into them before leaving them behind. Joker sat in the sand, tossing a ball to Chip. He pitched the little green tennis ball, and it zoomed through the air as Chip gave chase.

  Without a word, Fitz took a seat beside Joker. He gazed out at the expanse of ocean and the tiny lights of freighters in the distance, the shadowy shapes looking as if they stood still, though he knew they were moving. A speedboat skipped across the water as it sped by, while another bobbed lazily not far from shore. A little farther out, a couple of yachts leisurely drifted along.

  “Do you think I’m an asshole?”

  Fitz smiled. “That’s a loaded question if I ever heard one.”

  Joker chuckled. “See? You don’t bullshit. You tell it like it is, and not in a pretentious dick sort of way. You’re honest.”

  “Honesty is important to me.”

  “Me too. To all of us, really. This might sound egotistical, and I know I am a lot of the time, but in this case I’m right. I’m an excellent judge of character. I like you, Fitz. You’d never make Jack choose between us.”

  “I’m guessing that happened recently?”

  “It’s happened since we were in high school. I’ve lost count of how many times guys have accused me of wanting Jack for myself, and they’re right. Sort of. Don’t get me wrong. I don’t want Jack. He’s the brother I never had.”

  Chip came tearing down the beach, ball in his mouth. He dropped it in front of Fitz, hopped over to Joker, licked his face, then hopped back over to Fitz, tongue lolling as he panted and waited. Fitz laughed and threw the ball.

  “Chip likes you too, and whereas I could be wrong some of the time, Chip never is.”

  “Joker, I—”

  “I know. You don’t want to talk about Jack, and I get it. I just need you to know that I love Jack, but I’m not in love with him, never have been. He cares about you, and I’d never do anything to ruin that for him.”

  Fitz appreciated Joker’s honestly. “I have to admit, when I saw you two the first time, I thought maybe you guys were dating, but the longer you were around each other, the more obvious it became that you were just really close.”

  “He’s the only family I have. I mean, yes, the Kings and the rest of the guys are family, but Jack’s been with me since the beginning.” Joker stared down at nothing in particular, his thoughts clearly in the past. Judging by the thunderous expression on his face, it wasn’t good. He seemed to shake himself out of it and shrugged. “I’m not great with change, and it seems like there’s been nothing but change recently. Everyone’s in fucking love. It’s disgusting. Bibi had a baby. Ace is getting married. Christ.”

  Fitz playfully bumped into Joker. “You’re afraid of losing them.”

  Joker shrugged. He cast Fitz a sideways glance, his eyes narrowed. “Why am I telling you this shit?”

  “Not the feelings-sharing type, are we?”

  “No, we are not,” Joker grumbled. Chip trotted over, dropped the ball, then flopped onto Joker’s lap for belly rubs. “You stink.” In response, Chip writhed and wiggled on Joker’s lap, making him snort. “You’re such a shit.”

  “I understand your worry,” Fitz said as he absently played with one of Chip’s paws, tapping his toe beans. “But there’s no need. Like you said, they’re family. They’ll never walk away from you.” His smile was wicked. “Even if you are an asshole.”

  Joker snickered. He nodded and continued to give Chip the scratches he demanded. “You know, Chip doesn’t let anyone but me touch his paws.”

  “Really?”

  “Really.”

  Fitz hummed. “You didn’t come out here because of me or Jack. What’s the deal with you and Gio?”

  “There is no me and Gio,” Joker snapped, startling Fitz. “Sorry. That guy just pisses me off. Every time he talks, I want to punch something.”

  “Why? You haven’t even met him. He’s a nice guy.”

  “He’s a smug son of a bitch who needs to be knocked down a peg or two.”

  “Wow. Tell me how you really feel.”

  Joker’s lips twitched. “Sorry. I know he’s a good friend of yours. Jesus, now I’ve apologized. Twice.” He cast Fitz an accusatory glance. “It’s your fault. You’re a terrible influence.”

  “That’s me. Convincing people to apologize and help little old ladies cross the street.”

  “Why’d you ghost him?”

  Fitz’s smile faded, and he swallowed hard. “I wasn’t in a great place, and it wouldn’t have been fair to either one of us to start something. Then things got crazy with the salon, and the weeks turned into months, and I worried about what I was going to say and what he was going to think, and I worried myself right out of calling him. Next thing I knew, it had been two years, and Jesus, he probably thinks I’m an asshole.”

  “Great. You’ll fit right in,” Joker teased. His expression softened. “It’s none of my business, but it would mean a lot to me if you talked to Jack. Even if it’s to tell him nothing’s going to happen between you two. He deserves that much.”

  Fitz nodded. He dropped his gaze to Chip, who was watching him. “Do yourself a favor, handsome. Never date.”

  “Amen.”

  Chip looked up at them like they’d lost their marbles, his tail wagging slowly, uncertain, and they both broke into laughter. If this was what it was like to be a part of their crazy family, maybe it wouldn’t be so bad after all.

  THREE

  Staying up all night working always seemed like a good idea until his alarm woke him up three hours later and Jack found himself on his office couch at HQ. Knowing his penchant for needing to finish what he started, he’d made sure to buy an extra plush couch for his office. A knock sounded at his door, and he groaned for them to enter.

  The door opened and Maury peeked in. “I brought your latte and a bacon-and-egg breakfast sandwich from Bibi’s.”

  “You’re my favorite. I don’t care what Megan says,” Jack grumbled, his stomach arguing with him for having nothing but takeout for dinner again last night.

  With a chuckle, Maury walked in and placed the mouthwatering breakfast on his desk, the aroma of coffee and bacon filling his office. Maury frowned, eyes filled with concern as Jack sat up with a groan.

  “J, you gotta get some real sleep. You’ve been at this since last week.”

  “I know, I know.” Jack stood and stretched. “Hold that thought; I’ll be right back.” He grabbed his toiletry kit from his desk, a change of clothes from his locked closet, and after checking the coast was clear—aka that King wasn’t around—he dashed to the bathroom to quickly brush his teeth, apply deodorant, and change his clothes. After a quick visual sweep of the floor, he hurried back to his office. Maury sat on his couch, arms folded over his chest.

  Lewis Morrison, or Maury, as they all called him, was Jack’s right-hand man on the team, and a friend. He’d been one of the first cybersecurity employees Jack had hired back when Four Kings Security opened its doors. He was smart and talented, so talented he’d worked for the government. Disillusioned by the work he’d been asked to do for Uncle Sam, Maury decided to go private. He and Jack had hit it off from day one, both of them sharing a love of good coffee, good food, and challenging puzzles, any kind of puzzle, whether the little cardboard pieces variety or real brain-busters.

  Standing at a couple inches shorter than Jack, with floppy blond hair, tanned skin, bright green eyes, and an easy smile, Maury looked more like a surfer than a hacker. He wore his signature cargo pants, the pockets of which reminded Jack of his desk drawers—you never knew what they contained. At any point in time, Maury could reach into one of his many pockets and pull out floss, a folded-up sheet of wax paper, a cassette tape from the eighties, every battery imaginable, a dismantled dog toy, and anything else he might have picked up throughout the day. It had become a joke around the office. Whenever someone said they needed something, they were told to ask Maury to check his pockets.

  “If King finds out—”

  “Which he’s not going to,” Jack replied, giving him a pointed look.

  Maury sighed. “Which he’s not going to. At least not from me. But this is King we’re talking about. He always finds out.”

  “I’ll worry about that particularly scary bridge when I get to it. I needed to make sure the upgrade to Frank’s system was ready.”

  “It’s going to be fine,” Maury assured him. “You know it is. You’ve been over it, I’ve been over it, Meg and Sil have been over it. Shit, even Leo has been over it.”

  Jack nodded. He took a sip of his latte and moaned. “Fuck, this is good.”

  Maury chuckled. “You say that every time.”

  “And I mean it every time.” Jack dropped into the chair behind his desk and took a big bite of his breakfast sandwich. “Thanks,” he said through a mouthful of food. Maury shook his head at him. His smile faded, and he shifted uncomfortably. Swallowing his food, Jack studied him. “What’s wrong?”

  “I’m worried about Sil,” Maury said quietly, his gaze going to the door in case Sil happened to appear, even though they both knew Sil wouldn’t be in for another hour.

  “How so?”

  Maury leaned forward, elbows on his knees. He ran his hands through his messy hair before sitting back. “You know what? It’s nothing. I’m sure it’s fine and I’m just being paranoid.”

  Jack frowned at that. Maury wasn’t the paranoid type. He had great instincts, and when he had a hunch about something, he was usually right. “Maury, if something Sil is doing is making you nervous, I want to know about it.” They’d never had trouble being open with each other in the past. Sil was like a little brother to the team, so Jack understood Maury’s hesitation.

  “It’s just that he’s been kind of quiet lately, and I mean, that kid’s never quiet, you know that.”

  “When did this start?”

  “It started the day we worked Mr. Stevenson’s case. After we left the truck. He was just all quiet. I asked him if something was wrong, but he said he was fine. Then at work he’s constantly checking his personal phone.”

  Jack shrugged. “He’s always been surgically attached to that phone.”

  “No, I mean like, nervous-looking-over-his-shoulder checking. Like he’s worried someone will see what’s on his phone. I love the kid, you know I do, but his behavior has been off. Meg and I are worried…”

  Maury didn’t need to finish that sentence. When Jack had offered Sil a job, the kid had been on the road to bad places, and that included getting involved with a less-than-reputable hacker group, but Sil had sworn to Jack that he’d never accepted their invite to join and never would. The kid hadn’t let him down yet, but as much as Jack wanted to give Sil the benefit of the doubt, Sil was in a position where he had access to incredibly sensitive information. They handled security systems for business owners like Frank, all the way up to billion-dollar empires like Colton’s.

  Jack met Maury’s gaze. “Am I wrong to trust him?”

  “Don’t ask me that. Sil idolizes you. He’s always joking that he wants to be you when he grows up.”

  His stomach turned at the thought that someone he trusted could betray them. He hated that was where his mind went, but experience had taught him just because someone earned your trust, didn’t mean they knew how to hold on to it.

  “Okay. Do I need to worry?”

  Maury seemed to give his question a good deal of thought. “Not yet. If he’s gotten into some kind of trouble, we’ll find out about it. Our systems are built for that. His clearance level isn’t as high as mine, Meg’s, and nowhere near yours. We’ll keep an eye on him.”

  “Thanks.”

  Maury stood and headed for the door. “Finish your breakfast before it gets cold. And make sure you get a nap in later or something.”

  “Thanks, Dad,” Jack teased, though he appreciated the way Maury looked out for him.

  “Ass.” Maury chuckled. He’d just opened the door when Jack called out to him.

  “Thanks for having my back.”

  Maury’s smile widened. “Always. Oh, I almost forgot. Emmett keeps asking me if you saw his request for the Feldman job.”

  “Shit. I saw it, but I haven’t had a chance to look it over.”

  “Can I be honest?”

  “You know you can.”

  Maury closed the door. “It’s too soon. Emmett is talented, really talented, but he’s not ready for the Feldman job. Don’t get me wrong, he’s been doing well since you sat him down and had that come-to-Jesus moment with him, but it’s obvious he still resents Sil for getting picked to work with us.”

  Jack sat back with a sigh. “I’ll talk to him. Maybe I’ll get Sil to sit in, and we can hash this all out.”

  “Sounds good.” With a little salute, he was gone, and Jack was left to finish his breakfast. He tried not to let the matter over Sil worry him too much. Maury was right. Jack had all kinds of fail-safe systems in place, many of which included security clearance only he, Joker, and the Kings had access to. Sil might be damned good, but Jack was better, and if he couldn’t get it done for some reason, he had Leo.

  An hour later, the office came to life with staff starting their workday. Although HQ was manned by security twenty-four hours a day and the Kings, Jack, and Joker worked all hours, the office staff worked nine to five like any other office. The morning went by relatively quiet, since the Kings were all out on jobs. Jack checked in with his team throughout the day and inspected the security systems they had installed.

  Lately he’d been wondering more and more what the guys were getting up to while Jack was at his desk. It wasn’t that he didn’t enjoy what he did, or that he wasn’t excited by his work, but he found himself wishing for a different kind of excitement. He had no idea where this was coming from, and he hoped he wasn’t having some kind of midlife crises. When he’d started working cybersecurity at Four Kings as head of the department, he’d been relieved to have a desk job. He’d told himself he’d had enough excitement during his years of service. Several years later and he’d developed an itch he was having trouble scratching.