Page 105 of Reckless Vengeance

I couldn’t exactly hug Skeeter or the guys, they’d punch me, so I soaked in what Rory let me have. She didn’t seem to like being touched, for obvious reasons, so knowing she trusted me to watch her back and give her a sense of comfort was a good feeling.

“If Matteo’s going to keep dragging Ashburn pussy in, then I think the guys can get over you being around. They’re just needing to blame someone for what went down, so you were the easiest. No one made Slash jump in front of you. He made his choice, and the only people to blame are the Soldiers. I’d like you back there, I miss your company at the bar.”

She honestly kept me sane some nights when I didn’t want to be there.

Her arms went around my middle as she gave me a squeeze, knowing I needed this.

“You get me back there for a fight, and I’ll sit by the bar as much as you want. Might scare away your pest problem too,” she mumbled, giving me another second before pulling back. “Are you doing okay?”

“I’m fine. Promise,” I smiled, and she smiled back before making her way along the hallway to Josie’s office while I waited outside.

Jonah appeared from further down the hallway, glancing towards the office door.

“What’s going on?” he asked, but I waved him off.

“Rory wanted to check on her. You and Brick can head to the Shed, if you want. I’ll wait around here until Skeet arrives,” I offered, and he nodded.

“If you’re sure. Call if you need us to come back.”

“Thanks,” I replied as I clapped him on the shoulder, letting him pass.

Josie’s door opened a few minutes later as Rory stepped out, Josie behind her.

“You guys can probably go. My new security team is almost here,” Josie said cheerfully, holding a hand out for me to shake. “Thank you for hanging around today.”

I shook it, giving her a smile. “No problem. The guys are going back but I’ll stick around, if that’s okay? I was hoping to hang out with Rory and the guys for a bit.”

“Of course. Make yourself at home. Stay for dinner too,” she ordered, wagging a finger at me.

“If you insist,” I chuckled, glancing at Rory. “If you’re good with that, anyway.”

“Stay. I don’t get to spend a lot of time with you,” she answered. “We can hang out in the den with a beer.”

“I still need to watch the house for⁠—”

“Nonsense,” Josie said, dismissing me with a wave of her hand. “Go and relax. If anyone breaks in, you’ll hear the alarms go off.”

She wasn’t wrong, so I motioned for Rory to come downstairs with me as Josie went back into her office.

The guys wanted to play video games in the theater room, so they headed in there while I followed Rory to the den, a groan leaving me as I sank into the soft couch once I had a fancy whiskey in hand.

“I’d get the best sleep on this thing,” I admitted, a chuckle leaving her as she dropped down beside me.

“Have you tried a bed?”

“I don’t sleep in my bed much. I prefer the couch.”

“Why?”

“Doesn’t feel right by myself. Haven’t really slept in it since Sasha died,” I shrugged, taking a mouthful of my drink as if it would drown the sorrow filling my chest.

“At your old age, the couch can’t be comfortable,” she joked, a huff of laughter leaving me.

“Hey, I’m not that old. I like my couch.”

“Is it that particular bed, or beds in general?”

“I’ve been on the couch so long that I struggle to sleep in a bed now. I slept in the bed here, but I tossed and turned a lot. I thought of buying a single bed so it wasn’t so big and empty, but I don’t want to part with my old one. Sasha chose it,” I sighed, glancing down when I felt her hand slide into mine. She gave it a squeeze, my eyes lifting to her face to find her watching me.