Sutton turned back to me. “How’s the pain level?”
“Tylenol status,” I said, even though it was probably slightly out of that range.
She pinned me with a stare. “We’re going to be moving around a lot more than normal today. Even with Nora helping out, you’ll be pushing it.”
When the doctor had prescribed me opioids as a part of my recovery, I’d seen the fear in Sutton’s eyes. And I didn’t blame her. Those drugs had sent her last partner down a spiraling road that had nearlycost Sutton her life. So, I’d put her in charge of the medication and told the doctor as much.
“I want to avoid it as much as possible leading up to rehab. They’re going to kick my ass, and I know I’ll need the heavier stuff then.”
Sutton mulled that over for a moment. “How about we start with Tylenol? If you need the prescription at any point today, just say the word.”
“Deal. Now, come here.”
The moment Sutton was within grabbing distance, I tugged her down to the bed and took her mouth with mine. She moaned, and my dick twitched.Hell.I missed this. Missedher. If there was any motivation for getting back in shape, it was that.
The sound of a throat clearing made Sutton pull back and flush. Anson grinned from the doorway. “Sorry to interrupt.”
“Like hell you are,” I grumbled.
He laughed, still a bizarre sound to hear from the broody bastard. “I had some news I wanted to deliver in person.”
Sutton grabbed for my hand and held it tightly. “Petrov?”
“Yes,” Anson said, his expression hardening. “I heard from my contact at CID an hour ago. There was a multi-agency bust on Petrov’s entire organization this morning. Three enforcers turned state’s evidence. They’ve closed on multiple drug operations as well as a forced prostitution ring. All of them are going away for a long time, including Petrov.”
Tears glittered in Sutton’s eyes. “It’s for sure? They won’t be able to hurt Luca?”
Anson’s expression gentled. “Luca’s safe. And so are you.”
God, it felt good to finally hear that. I knew we’d gotten most of the way there with Marcus behind bars. The Washington State Police had found two decades’ worth of journals detailing his fixation on me. How his mind had grabbed hold of me as the reason for all his pain.
He’d been the one who leaked all the stories about me to the press. The one who’d dropped the anonymous accusation about The Mix Up to the health department. And also the one who hiredsomeone to break into Sutton’s bakery to assault her, hoping she’d blame me for making her a target. Or better yet, I’d blame myself. But that guy would also be doing at least fifteen years for his role in it all.
Marcus had wanted to cause me pain in every way possible. And in many ways, he’d succeeded. But his actions had brought me back to Sparrow Falls, which gave me Sutton and Luca. I would never be sorry about that. I just wished Teddy hadn’t had to pay the ultimate price.
Sutton’s hand gripped mine tighter as she looked at Anson. “Thank you. I can’t imagine a better gift to get today.”
He shifted uncomfortably, not a fan of praise. “I’m just glad they got them.”
“Free cupcakes for life,” Sutton vowed.
Anson chuckled. “That, I’ll take.”
“Thanks, man,” I said, meeting his gaze so he knew how deeply I meant the words. “I owe you.”
“You don’t. This is family. We take care of each other.”
A different sort of pain slid through me. The good kind. The type that told me I belonged—that we all did. We might not be perfect, but we were always there for each other when we needed one another.
“Damn straight.”
“Nora said some bags need loading,” Anson said, sliding away from the emotion of the moment. “I’m gonna get to that before she threatens to withhold the lunch she just made.”
I chuckled. “Probably smart.”
He disappeared down the hallway, and Sutton turned to me. “We’re free.”
I brushed the hair out of her face. “We’re free.”
