Walter emitted a chuckle. “I have a confession to make. I’d never been more terrified in my life.”
Lucky whipped his head around. “Terrified? What do you mean?”
“I honestly expected you to tell me to take the job I offered you and shove it somewhere physically impossible.”
“Really? Why?” Terrified. Most people were terrified that Lucky wouldn’t go away, not that hewould.
“Because, eight years prior I’d met an arrogant, conceited man with little remorse for his crimes. Cocky, stubborn.” Walter reached a hand down and rubbed Moose’s furry ear. Moose groaned. Spoilt dog.
“Still am.” Most of the time.
“No, you’re not. Oh, you might have others fooled, but anyone with common sense can see right past your façade.”
“Now wait a minute…” Lucky’d worked hard for his reputation. And did façade mean good or bad?
“Don’t worry, your secret’s safe with me. But as I was saying, I got to know you, saw beneath the bravado to a truly decent human being. In my line of work, I need all the decent human beings I can get.”
True dat. But Lucky? Decent? Even all those years ago? “You give me too much credit.”
“No, Lucky. I don’t give you nearly enough credit. Despite what you might believe, you’ve been the glue that’s held the department together. Some fear you, some may not like you, but all respect you, and know that, no matter how prickly you are, you’ll do everything in your power to keep them off the SNB memorial page.”
Did Boss Man know how many times Lucky agonized over the page, wondering, notif, butwhenhis name would appear there, for real this time?
He’d use his dying breath to keep another name from appearing on the page.
Walter spat out a whiplash-inducing change of subject. “When I was a young man, I used to dream of being a father.” He gave a fond smile. “As an only child, I wanted a big family, four, maybe even five children. Then I fell in love with my wife. Have I ever told you why we chose not to have children?”
“No. I mean, I might have wondered, but it wasn’t any of my business.” Though Walter would have made one hell of a father.
“Lucy was born with a heart condition that put her at added risk. She still wanted to try for a child. To use one of your Southern expressions, ‘bless her heart.’ I wouldn’t take the chance. Even though I knew I’d never be a father, and would spend my years taking care of her, might even lose her young, from the moment I met her there was no other choice.” His eyes twinkled. “She’s defied the odds and we’ve shared a good life.”
Oh, crap! “You’re not telling me she’s sick or anything, are you?” Bo would have them on the road and taking her chicken soup or something within the hour.
No. Wait! She couldn’t be dying. Even now she sat on the couch a few feet away, lap full of black and white cat.
Walter waved a dismissive hand. “Oh, no. Nothing like that. She’s fine. I just wanted to explain why we never increased our family.”
“Do you miss not having kids?” Would Lucky one day regret if he didn’t take his sister up on her generous offer to make him and Bo parents? But who could bring a child into his crazy life?
“Never! What I’m getting at is, and I think I’ve mentioned this before, you’ve become like a son to us, though I’m thrilled that you’ve made up with your own family.”
Lucky’s heart stuttered with a tangle of emotions he’d need time to sort out. “If you see me as your son, how disappointed in me are you?” Lucky hardly made a shining example.
“Not at all. I’m proud of you. You may not have come from the same background as some of the other agents, but you’ve never let anything hold you back. All on your own, without even the support of your family, you’ve become a fine man and excelled.”
“So, what are you buttering me up for?” Lucky never learned how to take compliments. Or he had. As a wrapper for something unpleasant.
Walter shook from his laughter. “Ah, ever the suspicious one. Can’t I say something nice without ulterior motives?”
“If you can, you’re probably the only person on the planet.”
“When I brought Bo on board, I never dreamed that he’d follow in your footsteps and prove himself a worthy addition to the team.” Walter held up a finger, effectively cutting off Lucky’s comments. “Hoped, mind you, but nothing more. He’s done well.”
“Yes, he has.” In more ways than one. Now that they were talking so openly, Lucky’d had a question burning in his mind for a while. Time to get an answer. “Tell me the truth. When did you figure out we were a couple?”
Walter didn’t pause before answering, “The first time I saw you together in a conference room.”
Lucky’s jaw dropped. That couldn’t be right. “We weren’t involved then. We’d just met. He thought I was an asshole, and I thought he was a pampered mama’s boy.”
