Page 12 of Carrick
“That’s yourwelcomingtone?” I asked.
He considered. “Yes. I can revise it if necessary, but it will lack authenticity.”
That pulled a reluctant huff of amusement from my chest. Maddy beamed like I’d passed some unspoken test.
“This is your warning,” Jax added with a smirk, gesturing around. “If you lose something, I’ll find it. If you lie, I’ll know. And if you try to access anything in this room without my permission, I will lock down the entire house and blame it on a cyberattack from Belarus.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Belarus?”
He shrugged. “They’re due.”
Maddy laughed, then tugged my arm gently. “Come on. Let’s keep the tour moving before he starts quoting encryption algorithms like love poetry.”
Jax looked personally offended. “They are elegant.”
“Yeah, yeah,” she muttered. “Come on, Bee.”
I followed, glancing back at Jax, already locked in again, fingers flying over the keyboard like nothing else existed. The door clicked shut behind us.
“He always like that?” I asked.
Maddy gave a low laugh. “That was him on a good day.”
Duly noted.
We passed what could generously be called a home gym: punching bags bolted to the beams, free weights stacked like Tetris along one wall, a bench that looked like it had claimed a few victims. The air smelled like sweat and testosterone, thick with unspoken challenge. No mirrors, no ropes, no frills—just pain and steel and the quiet worship of grit.
“Deacon’s domain,” Maddy said. “And Carrick’s, when he needs to punch through somethinginstead of someone.”
Charming.
Down another hall, she pointed to a closed door. “Weapons room. You’ll need clearance to go in there. If you’re lucky, they’ll trust you enough, eventually.”
I snorted. “Don’t hold your breath.”
She gave me a sidelong look, then smiled. “I like you.”
I wasn’t sure what to do with that.
Her room came next. “Well. Technically, Niko’s room. But since I’m in it…” She pushed open the door and stepped inside.
The room was soft—worn wood floors, mismatched pillows, cozy blankets. Warm light filtered through the gauzy curtains. The bed was unmade. I caught the faint scent of cologne and vanilla.
“You’re with Niko?” I asked, blinking.
She shrugged. “Yep.”
“But you’re a witness, too. Like me.”
“I am. But now I’m also…” Her lips curled. “More. Something else.”
“They let that happen?”
“I didn’t ask for permission,” she said. “And Niko doesn’t care what people think.”
I held her gaze a moment longer before looking away. It was too much. Too soon. I didn’t want a room like this—didn’t want the comfort, the belonging. I wouldn’t be here long enough for any of it. Right?
“You okay?” Maddy’s voice softened.
