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“You never do. Why do we have to keep having this same conversation?” She started pacing the small room. “Only this time, instead of Malcolm’s asshole brother-in-law, it’s him! Which now that I say it, I can hear how stupid I sound. Why did I assume it would be different this time?”
“Ashley,” Malcolm groaned, throwing his head back on the pillow. The rage drained from her, and she was back at his side, ghosting her hands over him. “Can you check with the nurse and see if it’s time for more pain meds?”
“Sure.” She shot me a look as she left.
“Sasha, there’s one more thing. While I was running all over Missouri, I crossed paths with a couple of Chronis trackers. One of the guys was even at the bar tonight.”
“Fuck.”
“They may have tracked them down to The Side Pocket, but I don’t think they have any more intel than we do. Tootsie and Zoe are moving through the state using Moretti connections. Specifically motorcycle gangs and other small outfits.”
“That gives us something to work with. Thank you, Malcolm.”
“No need to thank me. Marco paid me an obscene amount of money, remember?”
“Yeah, but I get the feeling you went above and beyond.” I raised my eyebrow, and he shrugged, the dressing gown straining on his broad shoulders. “I’ll make sure you get the beat-down bonus.”
Malcolm swallowed back a laugh. “I appreciate it.” He took a drink of water, keeping the cup off his lip. His movements were awkward and stiff as he placed his empty cup on the mobile tray. “And don’t worry. I plan on keeping up surveillance remotely. Now that I know their habits, I should be able to keep tabs on them until you’re ready to bring them in.”
“Perfect.” I glanced at the door. “She’s so mad.”
“Yeah.”
“I keep fucking up with her.”
“This isn’t on you. I’m my own man and took the job, knowing the risks.” He scratched his jaw. The rasp of his five o’clock shadow against his manicured nails drew my attention to how disheveled he was beyond the bumps and bruises. His fingers tugged at the collar of his cotton gown, a sigh leaving his lips. “Ashley’s lashing out at you because I’m laying here in this bed hurt. I bet once the swelling goes down, she’s going to tear into my ass.”
I picked up my purse. “I suppose I should prepare for my ass beating.”
“It’s going to take time for us all to get used to the new normal. She’ll get there.” Malcolm gave me a sympathetic smile.
“I hope you’re right. I can’t lose her.”
He held his hand out for mine. “You won’t.”
I took it and gently squeezed. “I hope you’re right.” My eyes welled up. There were a lot of things I could handle, but Ashley hating me wasn’t one of them.
The door swung open, and I dropped his hand, discreetly wiping under my eyes. A nurse went to work checking on Malcolm, and Ashley waved me to the door. I followed her down the hall and into the waiting room, where Frankie sat in one of the padded aqua chairs. She passed him without a look and walked straight out the sliding doors.
As soon as my foot hit the sidewalk, Ashley turned on me. “Let’s get something straight.” She glanced at the people trying to leave the ER behind me and grabbed my elbow, dragging me into the grass. “I’m mad.”
“I know. And I’m—”
“Stop it,” she hissed, glancing around until she locked eyes with Frankie. He lifted his chin, then gave her his back and some privacy. “No more apologies that you don’t mean or that change nothing.”
She looked at me expectantly, and I quickly nodded. “Okay.”
“Malcolm is in there because of Luca’s family.”
I nodded.
“He’s in there because he got roped into all the shady shit. And right now? I need some distance from the shady shit.”
“Okay. I understand.”
Ashley narrowed her eyes, but the tension in her shoulders lessened. “That means he’s off the case.”
I licked my lips. Ashley and I had always been honest with each other, even if it was days later. “You might want to talk to Malcolm.” She arched her eyebrows, and I rushed to add, “He said it’ll all be remote.”
