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She turned toward Jackhammer. “Really?”
“Just making sure we're accurate,” Hammer said.
Bishop looked between them. “Both?”
Ghost's amusement vanished. “Careful.” For the first time that night, Angel laughed. It came out wet and broken, but it was real. Monster shook his head.
“Jesus Christ. She's got two biker boyfriends, two fathers, one dead mother, a twenty-five-year-old conspiracy, we're standing in a barn full of fucking pumpkins, and she’s still laughing.” Angel laughed harder, and even Crow smiled. Monster pointed toward the doors. “And it's almost Halloween. I should be charging admission.”
“Shut up, Monster,” Ghost said. Angel wiped her face. The moment helped—she needed it.
She looked at Bishop because she still needed one more answer. “Why did you disappear?”
His expression darkened. “Elena knew they were coming for her.”
“Your network?” she asked.
“Mercer's network,” he corrected.
“What happened?” Angel asked.
“She gave me the ledger and told me to take you,” he said.
Angel frowned. “But you didn't,” she whispered.
“I tried to,” he admitted.
She had a pretty good idea why he wasn’t able to take her—Viper. “Dad wouldn't let you.”
“No.” Bishop looked down. “He told me I could take the book, but I wasn't taking his daughter.”
Something warm and painful filled Angel's chest. “What did you do?”
“I argued with him,” Bishop said.
“I bet that went well,” she joked.
Crow laughed weakly. “You ever argue with Viper?” Ghost looked at him. “Imagine Monster with less patience.”
Monster looked offended. “I have patience.” Every Toxic Monster in the barn laughed, and Monster flipped them off.
Bishop continued. “Viper told me he'd protect you. I believed him.”
“And Mom?” she asked.
“I went back for her,” he said. His voice changed, and Angel knew the truth.
“You were too late,” she said.
“Yes,” he breathed. “I found Elena behind the clubhouse.”
Angel squeezed both men's hands. “Was she already dead?”
“Yes,” he admitted.
“Did you see who killed her?” she asked.
“No,” Bishop said.
