Page 51 of Dagger

Outside, I hear Tank laugh, followed by Dagger muttering something under his breath.

“What’s going on out there?” I ask, peeking out the window.

Tank is carrying two boxes stacked on top of each other, teasing Dagger. “I’m carrying double, and you’re still behind me,” Tank says, grinning.

Dagger rolls his eyes, shifting a heavy box onto his shoulder. “Keep talking, Tank. We’ll see who finishes first.”

I shake my head, laughing as I step back from the window. “They’re ridiculous.”

Sophie grins. “Let them be. At least they’re getting it done.”

The guys keep unloading while Sophie and I tackle more unpacking. By the time Dagger and Tank bring in the last of the boxes, the kitchen is starting to look like an actual kitchen, and the living room has most of the basics in place.

Dagger walks in, wiping sweat from his brow, and looks around. “Where do you want this?” he asks, holding a box labeled “Baby Stuff.”

“Bedroom,” I say, pointing down the hall.

He nods and disappears into the back. Tank plops onto the couch, exhaling loudly. “Damn, Chloe, you’ve got a lot of stuff. How did you fit it all into your she-shed?”

I smirk. “Very carefully.”

Sophie laughs, handing him a bottle of water. “She’s not wrong.”

Dagger reappears, his eyes scanning the room. “What’s next?” he asks, his tone all business.

I glance at the pile of unopened boxes and then at Sophie. “Unpacking and organizing. The fun part.”

Tank groans. “I think my part’s done. I’ll supervise from here.”

Sophie smacks his arm lightly. “You wish.”

Dagger leans against the kitchen counter, wiping sweat off his forehead with the hem of his shirt. “You want me to stick around and help unpack?” he asks, his tone casual, but there’s a flicker of something genuine in his expression.

I shrug, trying to downplay how much I actually need the help. “Yeah, thanks. That’d be great.”

A grin tugs at his lips. “Try not to sound too excited about it.”

We get back to work, all four of us chipping away at the mountain of boxes. Little by little Dagger starts to talk and in no time he’s up to his usual stream of commentary, tossing out jokes and teasing Tank, who silently powers through, lifting heavy furniture like it’s nothing. Sophie flits around, organizing and unpacking as she goes.

By the time we’ve finished unloading, I’m completely wiped. I drop onto the couch with a groan. “Okay, I’m done. That’s it for today.”

Sophie flops into an armchair. “Thank God. My arms are noodles.”

“Pizza?” Dagger asks, already digging his phone out of his pocket.

I wave a hand. “On it.” I order enough for everyone, and when the food arrives, we eat sprawled across the furniture in contented silence. The exhaustion in the room is palpable, but there’s a quiet satisfaction, too.

Once the last crumbs are gone, Sophie stretches and gets to her feet. “Alright, Tank and I are heading out. You’re officially on your own now.”

“Thanks for everything,” I say, walking them to the door. Tank gives me a nod, and Sophie pulls me in for a quick hug.

“Text me if you need anything,” she says with a smile before they head off into the night.

Back inside, it’s just me and Dagger now. He leans against the counter, arms crossed, watching me with a smirk. “Want me to take the U-Haul back for you?”

I hesitate for a second, then nod. “That’d be amazing, actually.”

“Grab your car and follow me,” he says, already heading for the truck.

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