Page 22 of Property of Bob

Prime leaned against the wall. “Ashland.”

Skull stared at me.

I stared at Prime.

“You’re dead.”

Prime laughed harder.

“Your fucking name is Ashland?” Skull asked.

“I swear to God, I’ll get out of this bed just to kick both your asses.”

Prime glanced at the wheelchair parked beside my bed. “That I’d like to see.”

My middle finger went up, and he smiled.

Ramona laughed. That sound pulled my attention right back to her.

She was still standing just inside the doorway, watching me.

The smile slowly left her face as her eyes dropped. I knew what she was looking at.

The hospital gown didn’t hide much of my neck. The bandages were smaller now than they’d been, but there was no covering everything. The healing wound ran along my throat, ugly as fuck and impossible to miss.

Ramona’s face changed and all the humor disappeared.

“Jesus, Ash.” Her voice was quiet.

I hated that more than I hated Prime laughing at my name. “I’m fine.”

Four people in the room snorted.

I glared at all of them. “Fuck off.”

Ramona’s eyes lifted to mine. “You’re in a hospital bed.”

“Very observant.”

“With a wheelchair beside it.”

“Also observant.”

“And it looks like somebody tried to cut your head off.”

Prime choked.

Skull laughed.

Even Anchor’s mouth twitched.

I stared at Ramona.

She stared right back.

Then one corner of my mouth lifted before I could stop it. “Good to see you too.”

Her shoulders dropped a little.