“She’ll come harder now.”

Riley spared Doyle a look. “And the buzzkill rides again.”

“She’ll come harder,” he repeated, “because now she knows the one she considered weak—and so did I—is so much stronger than she seems.”

“Damn skippy,” Annika said and made Riley laugh.

“You got that. So, she’s throwing Revelation at us? Four horsemen, end-of-the-world shit? She can bring it. Bran, I say you cook us up more hellfire and fucking brimstone. We’ll show her what hell is.”

“Malmon’s no pale rider.” Sawyer pulled out a Coke, tossed one to Riley, took one for himself, offered a bottle of juice to Annika. “You’re Quick Draw today,” he told her. “Anyway, Malmon’s a psychopath, a thug with money.”

“He’s more now,” Sasha reminded him.

“Whatever he is, you already said it. We’ll bear them down.” He guzzled some Coke. “Sasha Riggs, you just played mind games with a god, and won. Where are you going now?”

“I’m going to find the two remaining Stars of Fortune, then dance on a sunny beach. And we will.”

“To quote my girl here, damn skippy. But for now, I’d say diving’s done for the day.”

“I’m fine, Sawyer. Honestly.”

“Fine or not, Sawyer’s right. We’re done today.” Doyle moved into the wheelhouse.

“Let’s end it on a high note, Sash.” Dropping down beside her, Riley patted Sasha’s shoulder. “Besides, I want to get to shore, check and see if my contact’s come through with what Sawyer’s after.”

When she was sure Sasha was settled, Annika went over, sat beside Sawyer, took his hand. “I understood.”

“Understood what?”

“I understood what you’ve told me, and what I knew in my head, but not my heart. When the bird that wasn’t a bird flew at Sasha, and I destroyed it. I would have done the same had it been a man. I would have done the same.”

When she leaned into him, he put an arm around her, held her as Bran held Sasha as they rode the water back to land.

Once they reached the dock, Riley pulled out her phone. “Give me five,” she said and walked away.

“Sasha should have gelato. A reward,” Annika insisted.

“Gelato’s hard to turn down, but— That was fast,” Sasha said as Riley walked straight back.

“Fast and good. Got your list, Sawyer. I can pick it up in about an hour.”

“I’ve got me a project.”

“An hour. That’s perfect. It’ll give Annika, Riley, and me an hour to shop.”

“Shopping!” Beaming, Annika pressed her palms together.

“Shopping?” On a frown, Riley tipped down her sunglasses, blew at her bangs. “For what?”

“Shopping needs no what.” All light and cheer, Sasha took Riley’s hand, gave a warning squeeze. “The three of us will do some shopping, pick up Sawyer’s parts, and . . . bring home pizza for dinner.”

“You’ve had a long day, and an experience,” Bran began. “And as Nerezza’s made this first move, we should all stay together.”

“She won’t try for me again today, and I think I’ve proved I can handle myself. You’re not going to try to tell us the three of us can’t handle ourselves because we’re women.”

“Don’t go there, dude,” Sawyer warned. “No way to win it. But we can hang while you—”

“Go.” Sasha pointed. “All of you. If I get a reward it’s a little girl-shopping time without men hovering.” To seal it, Sasha rose to her toes, kissed Bran lightly. “We’ll be home in two hours.”

“If you’re not—”

“We will be.”

“Stay together.”

“Of course.” Sasha waved them off, waited until they were out of sight. “All right.”

“I could shop for new earrings!”

“We’re not going shopping.”

Annika’s jaw dropped. “But, you said—”

“Do you want to talk about sex?”

“Yes!” Annika grabbed Sasha’s hand. “It was a ploy!”

“That’s right.”

“If we’re going to talk about sex when I’m not having any, I want alcohol.” Riley scanned the marina. “Let’s find a place with a view and Bellinis.”

Within ten minutes—Riley moved fast—they sat on a shady terrace looking out at water and boats. Riley ordered in Italian, flirting with the waiter, who flirted right back.

Then she sighed, sat back. “Just proving I could have sex if I opted for the one-nighter. So.” She gestured at Annika. “The doctors are in. Proceed.”

“Are you a doctor, too?”

“She means we’re here to listen,” Sasha explained.

“Oh. It’s so nice to have friends who are female.”

“Truer words,” Sasha agreed.

“Sawyer says there are complicated rules about sex. If it’s so hard and strict, how do people have sex?”

“Good question. I used to think there were so many complications it was better to just forget about sex. I really believed that was the right thing for me, until Bran.”