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Briggs. And second of all, the only reason you live here is because I happen to like my aunt and uncle. You, I tolerate, because you’re their son.”
    Trevor rolls his eyes. “You’d be lost without me, Max. Who else would keep your grumpy ass company?”
    I look down at my Doberman pinscher. He’s lying on his favorite rug, staring at me, tail wagging. “Batman does a good job. He doesn’t annoy me as much as you either.”
    “Come on, bro. Start talking. Who is she?”
    “She’s just a friend,” I snap, pissed off that we lost the mission over this. “A friend that will be staying here for a while.”
    “What if I’m not okay with that? Steph might have a problem with me living with another woman, ya know.”
    “She knows, and she’s fine with it. If you’re not okay, move out.”
    We both know that’ll never happen. If Trevor left, he wouldn’t be able to keep tabs on me. My aunt and uncle would freak out, and they’d probably move down to Miami, and then my sanity would go out the door.
    “Whatever,” Trevor says, giving up. “I’m going to order pizza. Want one?”
    I nod. Anything to get him off my back about this. “Supreme.”
    He picks up his cell phone and heads to the patio, removing the pack of cigarettes from his back pocket.
    Trevor and Steph both think I was randomly mugged the night Charlotte found me. They don’t know I was downtown looking for Garcia. If they did, they’d be on my case more than usual. They’d never let me out of their sight. It’s already bad enough that they refuse to work at the office just so they can keep tabs on me. I know they’re just being overprotective, but sometimes they take it too far.
    I look up at the stairs, wondering what Charlotte is up to. I feel bad about the way I handled her moving in and the rules I gave her to keep her away. Everything about her is screaming for help, and dammit if it doesn’t make me wish I could help her. But I can’t be the friend she needs. Life has taught me enough about what happens when you let people get close. It’s hard enough with Trev and Steph. Every damn day of my life I’m terrified of what’s waiting for them just because they refuse to give up on me.
    No, she’ll need to figure this out on her own. At least she has a place to sleep at night. That much I can do, as long as it’s temporary, and as long as she keeps to herself. I owe her more than that, but it’s all I can give her without screwing up her life too.
    Trevor walks in from the patio, shutting the sliding glass door behind him. He looks at me, wearing his determined-mode expression. Apparently he isn’t giving up as soon as I thought.
    “Max, you know you don’t need to keep every aspect of your life a secret, right? I’m here to help. Steph’s here to help. My point is you have people.”
    Great , I think, letting out a sigh. Distraction didn’t work, and now he’s moving on to the guilt trip. “Cut it out, Trev. You live with me. You work with me. And you know about my past. My life is an open book.”
    He shakes his head. “There’s things you keep from me. Don’t think I don’t know.”
    I run my hand through my hair, wishing I still smoked too. I could use a fucking cigarette with the way Trev is badgering me. “She helped me out a few years ago, okay? Now I’m returning the favor. That’s all.”
    He scratches his beard, thoughtful. “How’d she help you out?”
    “None of your business.” I point a finger at him accusingly. “And don’t bother her with a million questions, do you understand me? She’s having a rough time, and she doesn’t need you making it worse.”
    “Why’s she having a hard time?”
    “No,” I say, gruffly. “That’s all you get. Leave her alone, Trev. I mean it.”
    “ Fine ,” he relents, not too happy about it. “I suppose it’s okay for her to stay.”
    “Glad you feel comfortable with it.” I pick up the remote control. “Now could you try shooting the enemy instead of