Bishop had a point.

“We haven’t really talked about what’s next for us. Except, you know, the fact that you told my father you love me and basically dared him to stand in our way.” I was still smiling inside over how adamant Bishop had been on the plane. “So, what do you want to do?”

“I’m not going to rush you. You’ve wanted your freedom for a long time, and I’m not going to take that from you. You decide when and how we handle this. I’m on your timetable. I’m sure as shit not going anywhere.”

The fact that he wasn’t trying to push me made it all the better. “Do you kill spiders?”

Bishop looked at me like I might be crazy. “Say what now?”

“Do you kill spiders? Because honestly, I’m all for being independent . . . until spiders are involved. Then I want a big man in my house to kill them for me and carry me away and give me a dozen orgasms so I can forget about the horror of spiders.”

Bishop’s booming laugh filled the small space of my apartment. “Is that right?”

I nodded.

“So are you telling me you want me around?”

“Yeah. I do. But it’d be even cooler if we could both keep our places and just go back and forth for now. Maybe see which one suits us better?”

Bishop studied me, and I realized he got what I was saying without me actually saying it. I wasn’t ready to give up my place just yet. It was tiny, but cute and awesome, and I loved it.

“I think that works just fine for me, cupcake. I’ll bring over a bag, and you can take a bag to my place.”

“I’m going to have to go shopping.” I thought about all the stuff in my apartment in New York. Designer clothes perfect for the life I no longer wanted. “Yeah, I’m definitely going to have to go shopping.”

He pulled me into him and squeezed me tight. “I think your girls would be more than happy to help you with that.”

My girls.

My man.

My life.

My everything.

THEY AMBUSHED ME JUST BEFORE the end of my shift. In all honesty, I wasn’t surprised. Charlie, Vanessa, Elle, Valentina, Yve, and Delilah strode into Your Favorite Hole like they were on a mission. The window had been replaced, and the events of three days ago seemed like just a bad memory now.

“It’s time for details, sugar.” Delilah stopped in front of the register and pressed both palms to the counter. “Bishop isn’t telling me a damn thing.”

I was actually surprised they’d held off this long, but then again, I’d been busy in the best way possible with Bishop at my place. Complain about my man-bunned giant keeping me trapped in bed for hours and hours? Not likely.

Fabienne wiped down the counter around the espresso machine and nodded at me. “You might as well knock off now and tell them everything. Make sure to do it loud enough so I don’t have to work too hard at eavesdropping.”

My boss had been incredibly patient, taking the incomplete explanation I’d offered her and my apologies about bringing the crazy into Your Favorite Hole in stride. I’d offered to pay for the window damage, but she’d just huffed.

“That’s what insurance is for. You might’ve attracted the nutjobs like a magnet, but that doesn’t mean you’re responsible.”

I lifted my apron over my head and slipped out from behind the counter.

They picked the cozy seating area, and Charlie, Yve, and Valentina crammed in on the loveseat. Vanessa took a chair and Delilah settled on the footstool, leaving the last chair for me.

“So, what the hell happened? And why the hell didn’t you tell us you were some badass mobster’s daughter?”

Delilah went straight for the jugular with her questions. Given that it was her brother who I’d dragged into it, I wasn’t all that surprised. Before I could gather some kind of answer together, Charlie responded.

“Because some people don’t like to talk about their fathers. Especially when they’re infamous or notorious.” She looked at me with understanding clear on her face. “I’ve been there. I get it.”

I nodded. Charlie understood better than anyone what I’d been grappling with, except on a much crazier scale. Dom had kept me in the shadows, but she’d been thrust into the limelight during her father’s trial. I supposed, in a strange way, I owed Dom for that. But now I was ready to live in the light.

“Dom was never a true father. I’m the youngest of his illegitimate kids, and I was never allowed to meet my half siblings. I wasn’t really allowed to meet anyone. I think it was his way of keeping me safe, but . . . well, we all know how that worked out.”

“We will when you tell us . . .” Delilah prompted.

So I told them as much as I could, and by the end, jaws were nearing floor level.

“We’re thankful as hell you’re okay, and that you didn’t bring our guys back with any bullet holes,” Yve said. “Although Titan would probably claim to be bulletproof.”

I laughed, thankful she broke the shocked silence.

“Are you sure he’s not? Because he did stare down some mobsters like he had no fear.”

Yve’s tawny eyes widened a fraction before rolling. “Of course he did.”

“So, what’s next?” Valentina asked.

I smiled, but Delilah answered for me.

“Bishop is going to lock her down and never let her out of his sight again.”

I wasn’t going to argue with that.

With perfect timing, the front door chimed, and the man in question walked in. Bishop stopped behind my chair, lowered his hands to my shoulders, and squeezed.

“Have you finished your interrogation?”

Delilah made a noise that I was pretty sure qualified as a harrumph. “We can keep going for hours.”

Bishop’s grip tightened. “Not gonna happen. I got a date with my girl.”

His sister sent him a look that promised she wasn’t letting this go entirely. “I suppose we can let you have her. For now.”

Bishop released one of my shoulders and his hand slid around to my collarbone. “For now?” He laughed. “Fuck that. With Eden, it’s all about forever.”

A collective aww released on a sigh from the girls as my heart sped up.

Vanessa rose. “On that note, I think it’s time for us to go.” She met my gaze. “I would invite you to join us for girls’ night, but you’ve clearly got other plans. Know that you’re welcome anytime. We take turns hosting.”