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A knock sounds on the door and a second later, it opens, Johnny Jones stepping through, very much alive and well. He’s not exactly what I remember. He seemed more depressed back then, like the life had been sucked out of him.
His dark chocolate hair falls onto his forehead and a pair of bright green eyes flit across the room, scanning each of us. Not a second later, Claire, his wife, follows him in.
I rise to my feet and greet her halfway, both of our arms outstretched toward each other.
“J!” Claire calls out.
“Claire.” I wrap her in a hug and ignore the shooting pain in my arm at the embrace.
We may not have spent a ton of time together before everything went down, but being inthislife together makes you appreciate those friendships even more. I don’t have another girl, other than Gwyneth, that I can talk to. And she isn’t exactly my first, or last, pick.
Having someone my age, and who understands what it’s like to be newly introduced into this world has a way of making you feel not so alone. If only Claire was on the west coast more, then maybe I wouldn’t struggle with this situation as much as I do.
“You look amazing,” I tell her and touch her hair. “Did you go lighter?”
She grins and nods. “Thought I’d change things up.” She steadies my shoulders. “And look at you, wearing designer everything.” Claire narrows her gaze at the men behind me. “I see you’re taking care of my girl.”
Magnus puts his arm around my waist. “Your girl, I thought she was mine.” He kisses my cheek and then releases me to hug her. “Claire. How are you?”
“I’m well, Maggie.” She nudges his shoulder. “Still causing trouble?”
He grins and nods. “You know it.” Magnus holds his arm out to Johnny. “Mr. Jones.”
Johnny and Magnus shake hands.
I feel the weighted presence of the rest of the room as we exchange our causal formalities.
Dominic clears his throat a bit too aggressively. “Shall we commence?”
Claire weaves her arm around mine and walks us over to the table. She leans in close and whispers into my ear, “We need to get together soon and catch up.” She eyes Simon and winks at me before patting my hand and claiming a seat of her own next to my bodyguard.
“Do you two want coffee? Bourbon?” I glance at the kitchen area where I have no idea what other options are available.
“What are you having?” Claire rises up on her elbows to look into my two cups. “Are you having coffeeandbourbon? My kind of girl.”
Johnny strolls over and kisses the top of Claire’s head. “I’ll get you something, babe.”
Claire grips Johnny's hand, and the two of them hold on until he's no longer within reach. Pure fucking love radiates off of them and makes me so envious of being that close to someone. I wonder what it's like not to have secrets. To love unconditionally, and fully, without restraint.
They've been through so much together and it's like nothing can tear them apart. The issues that arise only seem to bring them closer together, forging an unbreakable bond.
“I’ll show you around,” Magnus tells Johnny on their way over to get drinks.
“Hey, sorry I’m late.” Miller walks into the room carrying a large paper bag with a logo that can only be from one place. “But I come with donuts.”
At least I'm not the only one who loves Bram's Diner. My heart aches a little at knowing I won't be back there until things settle down, but I'm grateful he's holding my place for me. I don't need to work, and the guys would rather I didn't, but I love being at the diner. I'm not exactly a people person, that much is certain, but there's just something about Bram's that feels like home. He was the first person to be kind to me without expecting a damn thing in return, and for that, I will forever be indebted to him.
“I hear you’re running a café back east?” I say to Claire.
She smiles and nods. “Yep. Coffee isn’t quite as good as Bram’s but I’m working on it.” Claire takes the cup that Johnny gives her. “It’s like he makes it with love or something.”
Johnny slides into the seat next to her and opens up the bag that Miller brought in. “Thanks, buddy.”
I sit at the head of the table, glancing around the room, and wonder if this is what it’s like to have friends. Like a group of people who know things about you that you cannot share elsewhere. A forbidden secret that we keep because sharing it would only put us all in danger. It’s not thatno oneknows the truth about these men and their criminal doings, but it’s not exactly common knowledge.
I bite the inside of my lip as I watch Miller pass around donuts. I lied to Cora and told her that Miller was off-limits. But what if she could be here too, experiencing a level of comradery that is unmatched? Is it fair of me to keep this from her when knowing the truth might be what brings us even closer and give her a chance at love?
But what if Miller tore her apart? What if she had more issues with him than I've had with my guys? What if he has enemies? What if she faces similar shit like I have and isn't strong enough to escape it the way I did? But who am I to question whether Cora is capable enough or not? Is it my place to put limitations on her life when she's the one who wants to take those risks?
