Oh damn. Now he’d gone and made her cry. “Mom, sit down, I can explain everything.”
She grabbed him in a chokehold and held on. “My boy’s alive. That’s all I need to know.”
Lucky screamed. His mom let go.
“Oh, I’m so sorry.” She dropped down into the chair while Lucky struggled to keep most of his swearing inside his mouth. Dear God! Pain!
Breathe in, breathe out. Again. Again. There. Better.
“God, I’ve missed you.” She dabbed at her eyes with the back of her hand. Bo handed her tissues and retreated to the far side of the room.
Smart man.
“I’ve missed you too.” Even on pain meds, Lucky flinched at how hard Mom gripped his hand.
He wouldn’t say so. He’d waited too long to have her hand in his. “I’m sorry for being such an as… jerk, all my life.” He’d always be an asshole, it’s what he did, but he could still be sorry for his mother’s sake to have an asshole for a son.
Correction. Two assholes, counting Bristol.
“I…”
“Shhh…” She put a finger to his lips. “Don’t talk. I know how much pain you’re in, if your daddy is anything to go by.”
Daddy. She had to mention dad. “How is he?”
“He’ll live.” She paused before adding, “and he owes you his life,” holding his hand, stroking along the back. More quietly than before, she asked Bo, “Why don’t you tell me what’s going on?”
Bo connected his gaze to Lucky’s, brows raised.
Ah hell. Lucky hadn’t imagined this day coming, so couldn’t form a plan. “Mama, I…”
She shushed him again. “If this young man is who I suspect he is, he’ll be able to answer without you having to talk.”
Lucky sighed. “Okay, you win.”
Bo’s brows rose higher. “Just like that? You’re doing what she says without arguing?”
Yeah, yeah, rub it in.
Bo grinned. “Mrs. Lucklighter, when all this is said and done, can you teach me that trick? He always argues with me.”
“It’s not hard once you set your mind to it.” Her smile fell. “Now start talking.”
“Better do it,” Lucky warned. “I’m pretty sure she has a concealed carry permit.” And a house full of guns.
Bo dragged a hand through his hair. “I believe you remember the part about Lucky being arrested?”
Mama nodded.
“Well, two years into his sentence, he made a deal to cooperate with the Southeastern Narcotics Bureau while working off his time. He’s one of the best agents we have.”
She cocked her head to the side. “He still is? But his sentence should’ve ended.”
Ah, and here Lucky thought his family didn’t care enough to know any details about his life.
“It did,” Lucky answered.
“And then we were told he died.” She shot Lucky an accusing glare.
