They had no idea how much, really. If they saw me like a brother, maybe I’d be good enough for Bailey in their eyes. Maybe they’d understand that regardless of my past, I only had good intentions for him.
“Did you really think we’d use you for cheap labor all this time and then just cut you loose?” Holden asked, sounding offended.
Shiloh murmured something soft I couldn’t hear. Holden nodded in response, sinking back into his seat. I hadn’t even noticed how rigid he’d gone until then. Shit, I must have insulted him.
“I’d never think that about you,” I said, throat tight. “Just…maybe I wouldn’t deserve it, you know?”
“Well, shut that shit down,” Axel said. “You’re a hard worker.”
“This hasn’t been a free ride,” Holden added. “We couldn’t have gotten through these past couple of months without you. Not to mention helping us out with those assholes giving Shiloh grief last spring.”
“I can’t ever thank you enough for that,” Shiloh said.
“It was no big deal,” I said gruffly. “I stood around.” I tugged Taz’s ear. “This guy was the real hero.”
Everyone laughed, because it was true. We’d all gone out to the edge of town to give the guys a sending-off party to ensure they knew better than to come back. But one of those assholes had made the mistake of underestimating our Chihuahua, and Taz had taken a chunk out of his hand.
“My only regret is you’re not still out at the junkyard with me,” Axel said. “You made breaking down those cars a hell of a lot easier.”
“I’m talking to Matteo about getting you a replacement,” Holden said. “Sorry it’s taken so long. With the new county contract, I’ve been busier. The money is good, but the paperwork is a nightmare.”
“Ask Matteo to send you Ghost,” I suggested. “I don’t trust Snake not to try to manipulate one of the other guys.”
“He won’t mess with Ghost?”
“No one fucks with that man,” I said. “He’s a little fucked-up. Went to prison for over twenty years. He’s still trying to adjust to the world, and working with the public isn’t great for him. Out here, though? I think he’d work hard for you all.”
“Okay, then,” Holden said. “I’ll make the call tomorrow. Thanks for the tip.”
“No, thank you for giving guys like us a chance. Ghost is tough, but then anyone would have to be after so long in prison.”
“What did he do to get such a long sentence?” Axel asked.
“No, don’t tell us,” Holden said, voice firm. “I respect that Redemption Road keeps that shit private. The point is to give you all a clean slate. You did your time, and now you’re starting over. Whatever he did, it’s in the past.”
“Fair enough,” Axel said. “My curiosity got the best of me.”
“That goes for you too,” Holden said. “Whatever you did, it’s in the past. Stop doubting your place here, all right? You’re one of us.”
My throat went so tight I could hardly speak. I nodded and tipped back my beer.
My phone rang just then, cutting through the quiet darkness. I tugged it out of my back pocket, saw Maple Grove Police Department on the Caller ID.
Shit, was Aiden in trouble? Was Bailey?
I answered the call. “Hello?”
Bailey gave a shaky breath through the line. I recognized him by his breathing alone. That was wild.
“Flynn, I fucked up.”
“Are you okay?”
“Not really,” he said, voice flat and lifeless. “Got arrested.”
“What happened? Was it a fight over pool or…”
Holden’s attention locked in on me with the intensity of a hunting dog. Shit. I should have moved away to take this call or been more careful with my words.
