“Shepherd,” she adds, softer now, “this isn’t just about you. If what Sebastian confirmed is accurate—and I believe you both one hundred percent, the entire organization could be in trouble.Nobody wants someone like this under their employ no matter what his job is.”
Good.
They should be.
“So, what did they decide?” I ask. I think I already know, but I need confirmation. I need to hear her say it out loud.
“He’s out,” she says.
Just like that.
No buildup.
No dramatics.
“He’s been terminated effective immediately. His access to the facility has been revoked. Security has his name and photo.”
My shoulders drop a fraction. It’s not relief entirely. Not really, but something close. “And?” I press, because God knows that’s not enough.
Not for what he did.
“And he’s banned,” she continues. “From all Portland Rush events. Games. Practices. Team functions. Everything.”
I inhale a deep breath. “For how long?”
“For life.”
I close my eyes for only a second because if I let myself feel too much of this, I’m going to want more. He’s not incarcerated or dead so until that happens his mere existence is going to piss me the fuck off. But right now, Sutton’s safety and mental wellbeing is all that matters to me and this…this helps protect her. It’s a start and I’ll take it.
“Thank you,” I tell Harper with all the sincerity I can muster.
“You’re welcome,” she replies. “This is what I’m here for. I’m glad you didn’t try to take matters into your own hands and get yourself in trouble. You’ve got too much going for yourself to chance doing something stupid.”
“Yeah.” I chuckle. “Because I definitely would have, if Ididn’t have you, and then you’d be bailing me out of jail right now instead of calling me with good news, so thank you again.”
She pauses, and then asks, “How is she?”
I look down the hallway like I can see her through walls. Through distance. Through everything she’s still holding inside.
“She’s…” I exhale slowly. “Stronger than she should have to be and it’s killing me that I can’t fix everything for her.”
“I get it,” Harper replies, “It’s hard to stand beside her and not in front of her where you can shield her from what comes her way.”
“Yeah.” I nod even though she can’t see me. “I just want to protect her as much as I can, you know? And remind her of her worth and her value until she’s ready to take her power back.”
“I have no doubt you’re doing exactly that. You’re a good man, Shepherd Haynes. Don’t ever let anyone tell you different.”
“Thanks Harper. I appreciate that.”
The sound of chips hitting the table echoes through my kitchen like gunfire.
“Fold,” Jake says, not even looking at his cards.
“You haven’t even seen your hand,” Boone argues.
“I don’t need to,” Jake replies. “I can feel the loss coming.”
Orry laughs. “Dude, you feel loss every time you breathe.”
