Page 69 of Dagger

Quinn blinked, trying to keep a straight face. But beside her, Dagger glanced down at her with a smirk, eyes twinkling like this was normal.

It was almost… cute.

“I’m telling you,” Brawler said, jabbing a finger at Shark, “John Wickis peak Keanu. Efficient. Deadly. Zero emotional baggage, just vengeance and weapons.”

Shark shook his head. “The Matrix. Untouchable. Neo literally transcends reality. That’s a man you want on your six.”

From across the room, Flash, feet kicked up, arms crossed like a man with zero shame, cut in. “Y’all are wrong.Speed. Bomb-rigged bus, tension, adrenaline, Sandra Bullock, and Keanu’s hair at its prime. It's got everything.”

“Hair?” Quinn murmured under her breath. “That’s the argument now?”

Dagger chuckled beside her. “Trust me. This is tame.”

Brawler waved a hand. “Wick fights an entire Mafia over a puppy. That’s love. That’s commitment. That’s a damn code.”

Twister raised a brow. “I thoughtourcode was silence and precision. Wick leaves a trail of bodies and broken necks in his wake.”

Flash shrugged. “Still more subtle than Brawler.”

Brawler shot him a glare. “Keep talking, pretty boy.”

Twister sighed again. “Let’s break it down logically.”

Flash leaned in. “You mean argue like caffeinated toddlers?”

Ignoring him, Twister continued, “Speedis high stakes but grounded.Matrixis metaphysical.John Wickis tactical realism. So, who do you want more in an actual op?”

Quinn watched it all with a strange sense of affection. These were the guys who protected lives, who ran toward bullets, who survived things that should break a person. Here they were, arguing about Keanu Reeves like tactical movie critics.

She glanced at Dagger, catching the moment his eyes softened as he looked back at her. There was a flicker there, a silent exchange, indulgent and warm. Her chest tightened unexpectedly.

Quinn’s voice cut through the chatter. “You’re all wrong. Keanu wins, no matter which version you pick.”

That earned a pause.

Then Twister nodded solemnly. “The girl is on to something.”

“Still,” Brawler his gaze giving her points, muttering, “I’d want Wick watching my six.”

“Neo would bend space-time to protect the team,” Shark added with a shrug.

“Jack Traven wouldn’t let the bus or the mission fail,” Flash finished.

“So again, Keanu wins,” she said, smug as ever.

Just then, the door opened again and Tex and Bondo walked in, both taking in the chaotic scene.

Bondo raised a brow. “These are the guys who save the world?”

Tex pinned her with those steely eyes. “Quinn, honey. Don’t drink the Kool-Aid.” The room erupted at Tex’s deadpan delivery.

Dagger looked at her, humor glinting in his eyes. He said softly, “It’s too late.”

Brawler leaned back with a smug grin and added, “Wick would murder an entire cartel with nothing but a pencil.”

That earned a fresh round of groans and laughter, Shark tossing a crumpled protein bar wrapper at him, while Flash muttered, “You need a therapist, bro. A violent one.”

Quinn shook her head, a laugh bubbling up despite everything. What an absurd situation, yet it settled over her heart like a warm blanket. These men had loved Brian, and in turn, they’d pulled her into their circle. She’d loved them back.

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