Page 455

His eyes narrow.

“Bishop will handle it.”

“Better.”

Callie snorts.

Smoke stands.

I do too.

For a second, we face each other.

Then Smoke holds out his hand.

I take his hand. His grip is firm.

“So we're good?” he asks.

“No.”

“Good.” He smiles.

I release him with a smirk.

He turns toward Callie. “Listen to the doctors.”

She wrinkles her nose.

“And him.”

Her expression turns horrified. “Absolutely not.”

Smoke laughs, then walks to the door.

I follow him.

Before he steps outside, he stops. “You hurt her, I'll kill you.”

I stare at him. “You'd have to get in line.”

Smoke considers that, then nods. “Fair.”

He leaves.

I close the door and lock it behind him.

When I turn around, Callie is staring at me.

“What?”

“You made a friend.”

“No.”

“You shook hands.”

“I've shaken hands with people I've killed.”