"So that's how it's going to be? You're just cutting me out? I'm the reason this team even exists. I brought each of you in, and this is how you repay me?" I glared at each of my teammates even though Sloane was the one pinned under my hand.
"No one is cutting you out." Nyx placed her hand on my arm. "But if you continue down the path you're going, this team won't survive. In all our years together, we've never fought as much as we have this week. Tensions are high. I understand that. Finally finding Mason has brought a lot of feelings to the surface. Again, I get that, but you should be leaning on us. Not fighting with us every chance you get."
I glanced back at Sloane. She wasn't fighting me. Her hands were down by her side, and although she should've been staring me down, I could see she wasn't mad at my outburst. "I know itseems like we're on opposing sides lately, but I promise I'm here for you."
I dropped my hand to my side and took one large step back.
My teammates were right. I was the reason our team was currently splintering. I was losing myself and taking them down with me. They didn't deserve that. "I'm sorry."
I could count the number of times I've said those two words on one hand. It was rare I admitted I was wrong. It was even more rare that I considered something I did wrong. Normally I stood firm behind my actions, but I could see the mistakes I was making.
"I never meant for things to get this bad. I knew I was struggling, but I thought I could get a handle on it."
"You've been the strong one all this time. You've helped each of us over the years but not once did you need us. Now you do, and it's okay to admit it. We don't think any less of you for it." Nyx gave me a lopsided smile.
"I'm worried I'll never find out what happened to Nova. At least while I was looking for Mason, it gave me something to focus on, but now I have nothing left except to question Alexander, and we all know he will take pleasure in not telling me anything."
"We'll cross that bridge when the time comes," Sloane assured me. "Either way, we'll be right there with you trying to find the answers. Just don't shut us out. We're better as a team."
As a team. Somewhere along the way, I forgot that, but thankfully my friends were there to remind me of it. We would get through this no matter what it took and no matter what obstacles life threw at us because that's what friends did.
And Nova would want me to work with my teammates. It was why she wanted to start the team. So it would never just be the two of us again.
I'm doing this for you, Nova. To make you proud. So that way,when we're together again, you can see I was the best version of myself for you. Always for you.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
BECKETT
"Twice in one week? I was kidding when I said I thought you forgot about this place." Ranger rapped his knuckles on the bar as I took a seat inside The Pit.
"It's been a shit week, and this place is better than sitting at my house alone."
"Wanna talk about it? I hear bartenders make excellent therapists."
I raised my brow at him. "You a good listener?"
Ranger was quick to shake his head. "Nah. I tend to tune people out. I have gotten better at knowing when to insert the appropriate head nod or a grunt here and there, but that's it. Secrets are safe with me because I don't actually listen."
"I'll keep that in mind for the next time I need to get stuff off my chest."
"You do that. Now what can I getcha?"
"The usual. Grab Callahan's as well. He should be here shortly."
"I'm here now." Callahan slid onto the stool next to me. "And day drinking? Really? Who are you? And what have you done with my old partner?"
I chuckled. I missed spending every day with my old friend. Sylvia was cool, but no one would ever replace Callahan.
"Apparently it's been a shit week, which calls for day drinking," Ranger answered as he slid two pints of beer across the bar.
"Sounds about right." Callahan took a swig before turning to face me. "Why's it a shit week?"
There was no one around but Ranger. It was barely past noon, and most people wouldn't start trickling in for a few hours yet, so we had the place to ourselves to talk freely.
"The deputy director took the Dunkin case from me. Supposedly he's going to work it himself."
Callahan's brows shot up to his receding hairline. "Himself? In all my years, I've never heard of that happening. Guys like him don't work cases. They use political gain to climb the ranking ladder."
