CHAPTER 65

"Yes," Dan responds, clearly not expecting such a thing from his smile.

But his smile disappears as he looks back at me. "When I'm gone, you and Jade won't try to kill each other."

A gentle thud captures our attention. With his laptop resting on his lap and his fingertips caressing the keyboard, Jade settles himself on the counter. "You are aware of my fondness for an audience." He raises his head and winks. "We'll hold out for you. I enjoy the focus.

After Leandro and Dan depart, I lean my back against the wall and watch Jade to see whether he pulls up the addresses we need to visit this morning.

He looks at his laptop and murmurs, "So, a mate, huh?"

I stay silent. I discuss some topics and I don't talk about other others.

With serious grey eyes, he glances up at me. Tell me something, please. Does she irritate you as much as your brother did?

I fold my arms across my torso.

"Well, if she is," Jade says, his lips quivering. "It could help explain why you're usually such a stiff, infl