“I’ll keep you in here a few minutes, let those who think I’m consoling you get their fill, and giving those who think I’m ripping you a new asshole time to gloat.” He leaned over the desk, fixing his gaze to Lucky’s. “Make no mistake, I’m giving you a pass this time, but that’s all you’re getting from me. I’ve been watching you, know how close to the line you like to operate, but I will not, I repeat,will notallow your lack of discipline to reflect on the rest of this department. Do I make myself clear?”
Lucky swallowed the Walter-sized lump in his throat. “Yessir.”
“Good. Now go. I’m sure Johnson, Schollenberger, and that little receptionist are beside themselves with worry.”
Little receptionist?“Lisa,” Lucky growled.
“What?”
“Lisa. Her name isn’t ‘receptionist’, it’s Lisa.” She was married, had a kid, and volunteered at the animal shelter where Lucky found Moose, things Lucky wouldn’t have known or cared about before meeting Bo.
“Adding to your little band of followers, are you?” O’Donoghue narrowed his eyes.
“I have no idea what you’re even talking about,” Lucky recovered enough to toss back. “But the woman has a name. Lisa. She’s broken up aboutthe boss.At least pretend to have some sympathy.”
Lucky stood and fled out the door before O’Donoghue could get the last word in.
***
Lucky sat at Walter’s bedside, holding the man’s age-spotted hand. “Boss, you gotta come back. O’Donoghue’s strutting around like he owns the place, Lisa keeps asking about you then breaking down in tears.” He’d joined her on more than one occasion and might start again real soon. Heavy weight settled in his chest.
“I miss you, old man.” Nothing answered but the beeps, whirs, and swooshes of the machinery hooked up to his mentor. “Ya know, I don’t think I ever told you thanks for giving me a chance all those years ago when you busted me out of prison and made me work for you.” Oh, how Lucky had cursed, rebelled against the man who’d held his freedom in one massive palm.
How different life would have turned out if Walter hadn’t entered the picture. Lucky would have done eight more years in prison for his role in Victor Mangiardi’s drug empire, probably come out a whole lot more jaded.
He wouldn’t have met Bo. Wouldn’t have been there when Bo needed him.
He rubbed his finger lightly over the back of Walter’s free hand—the one not stuck with an IV needle.
At what point in the relationship had he started to trust? Certainly not in the beginning, when the guards had taken him to the waiting room, telling him he had a visitor.
No one had visited him in prison but Charlotte. All of a sudden, a grizzly bear of a man appeared on the other side of the glass, making promises to get Lucky out.
He could’ve offered anything and Lucky would’ve accepted. Small men like him didn’t last well behind bars, without constantly fighting and building a tough reputation. While he’d held his own, every new guy brought in wanted to take the cocky bantam rooster down a notch, or thought Lucky’s size meant he could be easily owned.
They’d learned better real fast.
Still, the lack of freedom, the need to run from himself, had made him antsy. He’d figured he’d take the offer to work off his remaining eight years as a consultant in some cushy office, then get the hell out.
He’d never expected his attitude to change so much.
Making off with trucks full of pharmaceuticals to resell on the black market had kept him in Rolexes and sports cars, fancy restaurants and clubs. He’d enjoyed every minute of being spoiled by his drug lord lover.
Then he’d strolled into a filthy inner-city apartment and witnessed a man battling back hysterics while trying to calm three pitifully dressed kids.
His girlfriend lay on the floor, not even thirty years old, blue tinges to her skin. “Mama? Mama!” the toddler had cried, pulling on the dead woman’s jeans as she stared at nothing.
Three kids, who’d never get their mother’s kisses, stories before bedtime, comfort for a skinned knee.
Her life gone, her family’s changed forever. For what?
He might not have sold her the drugs, but he’d spent years of his life taking medicines meant to ease suffering from folks who needed them and putting them into the hands of abusers, like the young mother.
Whatever had become of the kids? What if they’d been Todd and Ty?
Walter took a chance on him, gave him the opportunity to make up for past misdeeds and do a little good in the world.
Keith claimed Lucky wouldn’t have a job without Walter, and likely O’Donoghue thought the same.
