“Sounds like a good idea to me,” I said, trying to lighten the mood. “Aidan always cleans us out if he plays.”
“That’s exactly why I’m wondering what’s changed,” Mr. D said. In the kitchen, Hudson turned away quickly to start wiping down a countertop that was already sparkling clean. “You’re not going to give us a chance to win our money back, huh?”
Aidan looked up at that, startled. “That’s not what I meant at all,” he said. “Of course I’ll give the money back if—”
Mr. D snorted. “You keep the money, Priest Boy. Just tell me: why the sudden change of heart?”
Pressing his lips together into a tight seam, Aidan shrugged. “I just,” he started, then paused. “I just don’t think it’s right for me to be gambling.”
“Because of the priest thing?” Mr. D pressed.
“Because of the priest thing,” Aidan said, lifting up his chin.
“But you’re not a priest yet.”
Carlucci, Hudson and I had all gone very quiet.
“No, but I will be soon. And I’ve been thinking over some of my behaviors and how I can model better—”
“You’vebeen thinking it over? Or your church overlords are making you give up shit you enjoy, because God forbid a priest ever have fun?”
Aidan’s eyes flicked away. “Finch,” he began softly, but then, thank God, the Boss came prowling into the room.
“Nick’s here,” he said. “I’m heading out, baby bird.”
Mr. D went to him and they shared a goodbye kiss that made everyone else start talking very loudly about nothing in particular. I found myself asking Aidan if he needed a ride back home.
“That’s a very kind offer,” he said politely. “But I don’t want to keep you from your, uh. Your work.”
“Carlucci’s with Mr. D today. I got nothing on. Besides, I came round to check up on you, specific. Wanted to make sure you were doing okay after yesterday.”
Aidan’s warm smile returned. “I’m fine, truly. I’ll speak with the church security people later today and make sure we put some extra protocols in place.”
“You’re not going home on your own,” Mr. D insisted, having rejoined us, his mouth red and flushed. He seemed to have forgotten the almost-argument about poker—for now.
“I thought I should go back to the church, check the cameras,” Aidan said. “I realized last night they might have captured the intruder—shown how and when he came in. It might be…” He gave Mr. D a significant look. “Useful.”
After a moment, Mr. D agreed. “But take Teo with you, you hear me?”
Aidan blinked. “He’s notmybodyguard,” he protested.
“He is until we find out what the hell’s going on,” Mr. D said firmly, and I was glad to hear it. “Right, Teo?”
“Right, Mr. D.”
Aidan looked back and forth between us until he gave in with a sigh. “Okay. If you both insist. But really, I’ll be fine.”
“You want to go home first, put on some clean clothes?” I asked, as we finished up our pancakes. But Aidan shook his head.
“I’ll go home afterwards. I want to make sure something was caught on tape, now that I’ve thought about it.”
After we were done and I was taking the plates to stack on the counter, I saw Aidan say something softly to Mr. D. I guessed it was about the poker game from the mulish expression on Mr. D’s face, but then he seemed to give in, agree.
Mr. D also took pains to show us out, walking us down the stoop outside so I could take one of the town cars parked nearby that the Family kept for general use. I checked it for bombs and trackers as usual, looking underneath and in the wheel wells with a telescopic inspection mirror, while Mr. D and Aidan kept up their conversation a few feet away from me.
“We already talked about how things might change,” Aidan said, putting his hand on Mr. D’s shoulder.
I didn’t hear the reply.
