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“I have and I am,” Speed replied. “I promised Blake I’d change and I’ll keep working because I can do that now. I’m not tied to this thing with Mickey anymore.”
“You can’t keep making decisions in a bubble. Your decisions have consequences for all of us now.” It was imperative that Speed understand that Lavender wasn’t trying to control him. “I want you to have what I have here with Sage and I don’t want my best friend to worry about his little brother. That’s it. That’s always been it. You have to stop seeing me as your nemesis and trust me. I’m trying to protect you from this…problem you now have with Leary.” Lavender pressed his hands together again, beseeching Speed. There was a hard sigh and Speed’s eyes rolled dramatically.
“I had to give you a hard time before. You were expecting me to and I didn’t want you looking too closely at what I was doing with Francis until I was ready,” Speed explained.
Lavender’s eyes tightened suspiciously. “It was all an act?”
“Not completely. I still think you’re trash for being a hitman but sometimes trash has value or can be redeemed, right? I don’t think you’re as bad as I used to think you were,” Speed said a touch begrudgingly, then winked at Lavender. “And it has been illuminating to learn from another master.”
“Thank you,” Lavender replied. It was his turn to be surprised as he rose and came around his desk. “Let me help you across the street,” he insisted and offered his arm.
“Thanks.” Speed bit back a pained grunt as he pulled himself up and took Lavender’s arm. “But Blake walked over with me. He should be in the kitchen with Sage.”
It was odd to be this close to Speed without him bristling or attempting to goad Lavender. He seemed calmer, no longer “on” and waiting to make his move. He was open and momentarily comfortable being weak and wounded in Lavender’s presence.
“While I’ve got you here and in a cooperative mood,” Lavender began as they slowly made their way down the stairs. “Any chance I could talk you into removing those flamingos or relocating them to your backyard?”
“Get rid of Bertie and the boys? Never!” Speed protested dramatically. They stepped off the last stair, leaving Speed free to clutch his chest. “That would kill me! I love my flamingos and they’re perfect with my pink roses.”
“You could plant more roses in the back,” Lavender suggested but Speed looked at him like he’d suggested something gauche.
“And distract from my new pool? It’s going to be so gorgeously minimal and feel like I’m swimming right up to the forest.” His right hand stretched out in front of him and Speed gasped happily. “I can’t wait until I can finally swim laps again,” he told Lavender and gave him a nudge with his good elbow.
“I have heard that it takes a while to recover from a gunshot wound,” he said wearily, then waved as Blake and Sage joined them in the foyer. Speed might be open to change but he wasn’t shedding all of his stripes. That was a good thing, Lavender supposed. Speed wouldn’t be Speed if he wasn’t being at least a little bit of a dickhead.
ChapterFour
“So… How did it go?” Blake asked once they were across the street. He slowed and offered his arm when they reached the curb and Speed gave him a nonchalant shrug.
“It went fine and I’m fine. A walk across the street and up the stairs isn’t going to kill me,” he said, then flashed Blake a wide smile when he glared at him. “But I appreciate your concern,” he added and kissed Blake’s cheek before they climbed the porch steps.
Speed was tired and felt drained from his trek across the street but he had a feeling he’d be a little stronger if he wasn’t confined to their bed for most of the day. Or stuck on the couch. Staying in bed always made him more tired and restless but Speed was following orders and keeping the complaining to a minimum. He was on probation as far as Lavender and the rest of the neighborhood were concerned but it was the thin ice between him and Blake that kept Speed on his best behavior.
You couldn’t push your luck any harder or farther than conning a man out of his land, conning said man’s friends and family into committing a heist and a murder, and coming home with a bullet hole in your shoulder. Blake had taken it all rather well and was treating Speed with far more grace than he deserved. So Speed happily leaned on Blake’s arm as he got the door and led them into the house.
“I’m feeling pretty happy at the moment,” Blake announced, making Speed’s brow hitch.
“Are you?”
Blake hummed and looked serene as they made their way upstairs. “I was hoping the two of you could make peace but I did worry that one of you might end up in actual pieces.”
“He already shot me.”
“I consider that a favor since you asked him to do it.”
“True…” Speed conceded. He slid Blake a scowl. “How much do you think he enjoyed it?” He asked but Blake just shook his head. He gestured for Speed to sit on the ottoman at the foot of the bed.
“I made you a cake to thank you if it went as well as I was hoping. Or in case it all went to hell and we needed to soothe some bruised feelings,” he said as he took off Speed’s oxfords. He helped Speed up and out of his coat and trousers, then took everything to the closet. “But it looks like we’re celebrating so I’ll be bringing champagne too. You’re only allowed a few sips but I’m planning to get trashed and act slutty,” he warned, causing Speed’s lips to curve into a loopy grin as he went to sit on his side of the bed.
“Cake and cock? It was definitely worth it,” he murmured.
“What was that?” Blake asked. He tossed Speed’s robe on the chair by the window for later.
“Nothing.” Speed offered his lips when Blake leaned close to grab the empty glass on the bedside table. “Thank you,” he said simply and held onto Blake’s cheek for just a moment, letting him see how grateful Speed was.
“Love you,” Blake whispered.
There was a kick in Speed’s chest and his tummy flipped. “I love you too.” He let Blake go and Speed was grinning like he was drunk as he reclined against the pillows.
