“Mine too.” Grant nods.
“And you know you already have ours.” Charlotte gives me a look of encouragement.
I turn to Levi, and he gives me a conflicted smile. One I completely understand.
“You know I support you. I’ll take you myself as soon as the doctor clears me.” His eyes meet mine, and I nod because I don’t trust myself to speak.
“Perfect. Then let’s get this black book accounting sorted and end this mess for good,” Grant announces.
FORTY-EIGHT
Levi
“Thanks for bringing this over.”I greet Bishop when he walks in the back door of the ranch house with some paperwork Grant needs me to look over.
Bishop decided to stay on with us temporarily while I’m recovering and we’re sorting through the aftermath. I’m grateful for it because he’s one of the few people outside of the Kellys I feel like we can trust to do this kind of work, but doubly so because he’s such an old friend.
I spent the years since my parents died so focused on making things right that I lost a lot of the guys I was close with. If they weren’t family or they didn’t work with me at the casino, the friendships all but vanished. Not that I blamed them, grief changes people, and for me, it wasn’t for the better.
“Not a problem. Was heading this way anyway and thought it would save you a trip. How are you feeling?” Bishop looks me over.
“A lot better. Up and moving around. Not that I’m allowed to do much around here.”
“Zephyrine keeping an eye on you?” He grins at my distress.
“I’d call it more of a prison watch than an eye, but yeah. Between her and Aspen, I’m on lockdown.” I laugh.
“Your sister’s around? I didn’t think she lived out here anymore. Thought she was back East with the husband.”
“Trouble in paradise, I guess. She’s back in Colorado right now. Looking at a job up in Denver. She came down when she heard I got hurt. Never misses the chance to tell me I have to stop doing dangerous shit,” I explain.
“Ah, well, I’m sorry to hear that. But glad she’s keeping an eye out for you.”
“Yeah, they’re having a girls’ night tonight, I think. Zephyrine, my brother’s fiancée, Dakota, Aspen, and her daughter. So if you want to stay and have a beer, I’m short a couple of wardens for the next few hours. We’ve got a couple of pizzas coming.” I’m excited about the prospect of being treated like something other than a patient, and Grant is busy with work this evening.
“Yeah, actually, that sounds good. I wouldn’t mind sticking around if I’m not in the way.”
“Not at all. Fuck, you'll be giving me some entertainment. What kind of beer do you want?” I open up the fridge.
“Whatever you got’s good. I’m not picky, and you all always had the good shit anyway.” He flashes another grin in my direction, and I toss him a longneck and a bottle opener.
I hear footfalls down the steps, and I turn to see Aspen coming down them already dressed in short cotton shorts and an oversized Highland State T-shirt, her hair up in a bun, and blowing on her freshly manicured nails. She sees me first and grins.
“You’re up! Feeling okay?” Her eyes run over me in survey to make sure I’m not doing anything I shouldn’t be.
“I’m great. You need something?”
“Just gotta get some snacks for the girls,” she explains, and I grin at how well Zephyrine’s already fitting into the family that she’s already considered one of the girls.
When I close the fridge to let Aspen pass, she stops short. She’s frozen as her face goes deathly pale, and I’m just about to ask her what’s wrong when she speaks.
“I thought you were dead.” She’s staring at Bishop like he’s a ghost.
“Well, whoever told you that exaggerated.” His signature swagger is still thick in his tone, but the way he’s staring back at her has my attention.
“Apparently.”
“Heard you’re back in Colorado.”
