He’d left me.
I wasn’t worthy of love.
The knife Johnny buried in my thigh missed most of the vital parts of my leg.But the damage to the muscle took a while to heal.I’d only been mobile without aid for two days.Bridget had a severe concussion.She spent three nights under observation.
The prosecutor reviewed Bridget’s case and examined the findings on our injuries.They deemed the shooting self-defense.
My lawyer had her free within 48 hours.The mob lawyer.
And yes, I paid for her defense.It was the least I could do since she almost died because of me.We made a pact to never again mention Johnny Porciello.Ever.
She didn’t want her job back.
Which was why she was considering bartending.“We need the help.”St.Patrick’s Day had been a madhouse with Kat and I missing Saturday night.She showed up at the hospital for me.Edward in tow.
He didn’t have a plane, so he couldn’t leave.
Which hurt, too.Ringo flew almost halfway around the world to dump me.
I talked Kat into taking the Sunday parade shift.It didn’t take much.Casey had gone above and beyond managing the Saturday puke fest.He hid in the downstairs bar while Kat tossed folks to the curb when they got too drunk.We had our best revenue day, ever.And I wasn’t there.It made me realize the bar didn’t need me, it was me who needed it.
It felt like a shoe that had been outgrown.
Familiar bagpipes filled the air.
Some regular customers stood as the mournful song played over the noise coming from the TVs.Tall Bob removed his hat.
“You put this on, didn’t you?”I accused Casey.
“I figured it fit your mood.”He licked his lips.
A cheer went up as the song ended and the normal volume of the bar returned.
“Don’t be that way.”I slammed the contents of my glass and grimaced.
“I should say the same to you.Drinking won’t get him out of your head.”
I met his eyes.“It will if I drink enough.”
He shook his head.“Nope.It won’t.I learned that’s true because leaving the force felt like losing a limb.And it broke my heart.Don’t think love’s any different.”
Bridget lifted her glass and muttered, “Amen.”
He pointed at her.“She knows.You feel lost.No job, no reason.It sucks.And your heart?That’s the worst part.It wants hope.And there ain’t none.”
“That’s supposed to cheer me up?”
“You’re still alive.Some folks ain’t as lucky.”He glanced at Bridget with a funny look on his face.Like he had a secret, and she should somehow know it.Yet both her and I knew he didn’t know the full story.
He cleared his throat.“Things are awful quiet now that there’s only one boss in town.”
How in the hell?I glared at him.
He tipped his head and pretended innocence.
Bridget smiled.It was her first in a long time.“You think he’s hiring?”
“You don’t want that job.”Casey scanned the bar.All was normal.“You want to escort Ellie on her next trip.Make sure your passport is good.”
