But it doesn’t.
Nothing can while sitting in this space today.
Satriano’s warning the day of the opening that he would be seeing us soon has rarely left my mind since then. The only times I haven’t been thinking about it and worrying about what he might be planning were when I was in the ring with Atlas over the past couple weeks…or lying on that blanket with Gage.
It was one fleeting moment when the world seemed to stand still, when I was able to take a deep breath, when I somehow found blissful release in the arms of a man who then so quickly reminded me of why it can’t happen again.
Because of what happened here.
Because my job will always take priority or things like bombing and the attack on The Grind will happen again.
“Hello? Earth to Bishop.” I blink rapidly and turn toward the voice to find Allie looking at me with raised dark brows. “Where the hell were you?”
I shake my head to clear away the lingering memories as she slides into the chair next to me at my usual table, where I can have my back to the wall and keep an eye on everything and everyone in the café. “Sorry, I was just thinking.”
She blows out a huff that sends her hair flying off her forehead. “Well, you looked catatonic.”
Just lost in the memories…
Apparently, more so than I realized because two familiar faces now stand at the counter talking with Ang.
“When did Kennedy and Jack get here?”
Allie laughs. “Umm. With me.” She leans forward slightly to search my face. “Are you feeling okay?”
I turn toward the door to my left that leads to the kitchen and the only other entrance to the café. “Did you come in the through back?”
She nods and I release a little breath of relief.
At least I didn’t miss them coming in the front door while staring right at it, but the fact that I didn’t see them walk right past me on their way to the counter means I really was out of it.
That can’t happen again.
My focus has to stay on the here and now, not trapped in the past.
“Seriously, Bishop, what are you thinking about that has you so distracted?”
I turn toward Allie, who watches me with bright, worried blue eyes.
She’s the last one I want to unload my concerns on. After barely surviving the shooting at the condo, and with Pope’s “agreement” to help Satriano at the clinic still looming over them, I don’t want to cause her any additional turmoil.
Instead, I take a sip of my tea and offer her a smile that I hope conceals the continued maelstrom in my head. “Just work stuff you don’t need to worry about.”
She narrows her eyes on me. “Do I need to call Pope?”
Shit.
So much for being convincing.
If she thinks I need my doctor baby brother to come check on me, I must be doing a very crappy job at acting normal.
I shake my head. “Don’t you dare. Where is he today, anyway?”
It’s unusual not to have most of Hawke family members wandering in here at some point in the morning to grab their favorite drinks before heading off to their various offices, but it’s been quiet today.
Gabe came through to snag a tray of drinks for everyone who works out of the Club, but I have yet to see anyone else make an appearance for their caffeine fixes.
“It’s his day off. He took Ben to the zoo with Isaac, Vivi, and Gio.”
