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“I won’t let him.”
He looks at me, and the hope I see in his eyes gets me in the gut. I’ve given him that hope and, honestly, I really don’t know how Brad’s gonna handle this. He’s not dealing with anything very well these days, and this might be a push too far. But I’ll fucking try.
“What about Bean?” Nolan asks. “He said he has loads of old shit on me. Things that’ll have me put away for a long time, Danny. And he’ll get you all killed.”
“I’ll deal with Bean.” Just as soon as he’s back from training camp. The delusional fuck. “You don’t have to worry. How’s your leg?” End of discussion.
“Doc said I’ve strained a few muscles.” He feels down his thigh. “Feels like I’ve fucking broken it. There’s a gash, nothing major. A few stiches fixed it.”
I nod mildly. “I’m sorry for . . . well, torturing you.”
He laughs under his breath. “No problem.”
“What happened in that alley, Nolan?”
He keeps his attention on his thigh, stalling a moment too long. “We saw the back door open. We checked it out, found Pearl smoking.”
“We?”
“Me and Brad.”
“And?”
He shifts, leaving another beat of silence I’m not sure I like. “And Brad lost his shit with Pearl.”
“Standard.”
He smiles. “The car was parked at the end of the alley. Came at us fast.”
I nod, thinking. It’s plausible. And Nolan would be a fucking fool to try me right now. I stand, pushing the chair back into the corner. “I’ve got some things to deal with.”
His eyes shoot to mine.
“Not that. Not yet. I need Brad on the ball while we figure a few things out. But I will be telling him, Nolan.”
He nods, defeated but accepting.
“You need anything?”
He shakes his head.
“Rest up.” I give his shoulder a reassuring squeeze and leave, answering a call from Higham as I close the door.
“Finally,” I breathe. “Meet today?”
“Yeah, no.”
I frown at my mobile. “What?”
“I’m out of town.”
“What?”
“My wife surprised me for my birthday, Danny. What the fuck could I do?”
“Say no.”
He laughs. “I’m lucky I’m still married.”
