“His arraignment is tomorrow.”
“Diaz?”
“Will be extradited back to Texas. His accomplices at Southwestern are being rounded up as we speak.”
More greetings sounded from the living room.
Bo yawned and stretched. “There’s even an investigation into the top echelons of the National Narcotics Bureau. Walter still plans to retire, but might get lured back into consulting until things straighten out. I can’t believe how far up this thing went.”
Lucky could. Money corrupted. “Not enough oversight?”
“To put things mildly. But, hey, let’s forget that for now. Today’s a big day. Let’s not spoil it with work.” Bo brought Lucky’s damaged hand to his lips and brushed a kiss across the knuckles.
Lucky lay back on the bed, rolling his head to the side to see eye to eye with Bo. “I guess we can’t hide out in here forever, can we?”
“Uncle Lucky! Uncle Bo! Get out here!” Ty hollered from the living room.
Bo and Lucky both shuddered. “Calm before the storm.” Bo dropped a kiss on Lucky’s nose, rose, and offered a hand up. “Easy now. I know you must be hurting still. You’ve got some pretty bad bruising.”
With a groan, Lucky allowed Bo to help him to his feet. Together they trudged to the living room. So many people! The Smiths, Rett and her son, Lisa and her husband, and a few people Lucky didn’t know.
“Friends of Charlotte’s, I think,” Bo said.
The doorbell rang and Ty darted across the room as quickly as possible, given the crowd, and skidded to a stop in front of Lucky. “Credit card?”
“I already paid,” Bo said. “Tip too.”
Ty trotted around them and threw open the front door. “Yo! Todd! A little help?” He and his brother carried pizzas into the kitchen and returned with dining room chairs to seat the masses in the living room.
Would anyone notice if Lucky slipped out again? After all, they weren’t here to see him. His phone chimed and he checked the text. Hot damn. “They’re ready for us.”
“Good, let’s go.” Bo jingled his keys. “Andro’s sleeping. Can we get a volunteer to watch him until we get back?” At least eight hands rose into the air. “Thanks. Ty knows where we keep everything. We’ll be back in a bit with the star of the show.”
Lucky escaped the house to the sound of cheers.
The ride to the hospital didn’t go by nearly fast enough. So many thoughts raced through Lucky’s head. Bo always wanted kids. Lucky wanted kids with Bo.
Now they had two.
They pulled up to the hospital as a smiling Charlotte exited in a wheelchair, pushed by Jimmy. An orderly followed with a cart, flowers on top and other items on the bottom.
Lucky hopped out and opened the back door. Bo rounded the SUV, his grin showing The Dimple, Cousin of The Dimple, and about to spawn more dimples.
Lucky stooped and hugged Charlotte and the tiny bundle in her arms. Charlotte’s grin matched Bo’s. If Lucky died right now, they’d never get the smile off his face. He nodded toward the man he might as well accept. “Jimmy.”
“Lucky. Bo.” Lucky’s former trainee took his hands off the wheelchair to shake with them both.
“Ready?” Bo asked.
Charlotte nodded and handed Jenny to Lucky. He stared down into that sweet face, memorizing the moment, the first time he held his daughter in his arms.
Bo lifted his cell phone, taking a few pictures.
“Bo Schollenberger! Don’t you dare take my picture looking like this,” Charlotte scolded.
Lucky offered Bo the baby. “Wanna hold her?”
Bo traded his phone for Jenny and tucked her into the crook of his arm. This time Lucky took pictures, both on Bo’s phone, and his own.
