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Beau had the good grace to look sheepish. He cleared his throat. “Lies,” he said, nearly choking on the word. “I convinced Raffy that if he really wanted to expose me, Gamble was the key. I told him what I knew about Archie Gamble was my biggest secret of all—bigger than Brooke or Jasmine and Sam. I didn’t tell him that I had hired Gamble. I thought if I kept that to myself as long as I could, it would work as leverage. Keep Raffy from killing me. Raffy thought I was trying to trick him. I told him that if we could get Gamble to meet us somewhere, I’d prove that there was a connection, my secret would be revealed and Raffy would hold all the power once and for all. Raffy asked me how I could get Gamble to meet me. I said that I owed him money and he’d meet me anywhere I asked if it meant he could collect it. Raffy told me to call him and tell him I’d meet him at Raffy’s house and that I’d have his money.”
Noah said, “What did you think was going to happen once you got to the house?”
Beau looked at his lap, his voice lowering. “Gamble had already killed for me once, hadn’t he? I thought if I just got the two of them in the same room, I could somehow convince Gamble to kill Raffy. It was in both of our best interests. It wasn’t a perfect plan but it was all I could think of in the moment.”
It was his desperate attempt at self-preservation. Above all else, Beau Collins would always choose to try to save himself, no matter what he had to do and no matter how risky the choice.
Beau added, “I had no idea Raffy was taking me to that bridge.”
Gamble had shown up to Raffy and Brooke’s address enraged, fully intending to kill Beau or anyone else who got between him and his money. Beau hadn’t realized that Gamble would be out for blood. However, Gamble must have lost it after Beau failed to pay him his final payment, and then the police had shown up on his doorstep. Once again, Beau had set Gamble in motion, having no idea the destruction that would follow.
What a colossal mess. Josie could hardly stand to think of the damage to so many people left in Beau’s wake all because of lies. Lie atop lie atop lie. With a sigh, Josie took out her handcuffs.
“Beau Collins,” she said. “You’re under arrest for conspiracy to commit murder.”
FIFTY-SEVEN
TWO WEEKS LATER
Josie stood beside Luke on the pitcher’s mound of one of the city park’s softball fields and watched Harris run across the outfield, dragging a stick behind him. Hot on his trail, his easy lope turning to a full-blown run, was Blue, looking healthy and happy. Luckily, the injuries inflicted by Archie Gamble had been minor and he had recovered well and quickly. He caught up with Harris and grabbed the stick. The two played tug of war and then Harris let Blue have the stick. Blue sauntered off with it, making his way back to Luke. He dropped the stick at Luke’s feet and looked up at him, panting, tongue lolling.
Luke bent and patted Blue’s head. “Good boy.”
He turned back to Josie and flashed her a smile. Harris ran over and grabbed the stick again, sprinting away with it. Blue shot to his feet and followed.
“I’m glad to see he’s doing well,” Josie said.
Luke smiled as he watched Blue chase Harris across the outfield again. “He’s tough.”
“He’s not just tough,” Josie said. “He’s a total badass. Luke, I wanted to thank you. If it wasn’t for you and Blue, I’d be dead. You saved my life.”
Luke nodded. “Blue saved both of us. That’s what he does.”
She touched his hand. “How are you doing? Are you okay?”
He sighed and gave her a weak smile. “I’m working on it.”
An awkward silence stretched between them, broken only by Harris’s giggles as Blue took the stick from him and ran away with it again. Luke pointed toward boy and dog. “He’s so big now.”
“Yeah,” Josie agreed. “It’s gone so fast. Before we know it, he’ll be driving.”
Luke chuckled. “You and Noah, you two don’t want kids?”
Josie’s throat constricted. It was hard to push her answer out. The last time Luke had been in Denton was also the last time she and Noah had discussed children. Josie didn’t want them. Hadn’t ever wanted them. Not because she didn’t love kids, but because after her horrific upbringing, she was terrified that she would turn out to be a terrible mother. How could she justify bringing a child into the world when her parenting example was someone who had literally murdered people? Noah had assured her she would be an excellent mother but had also said that if she never changed her mind, she’d be enough for him. They’d left it at that.
“Guess that’s a no,” Luke said. ”It’s okay. I know you don’t like to talk about things. I was just making conversation. I’m not very good at it.”
“No,” she choked out. “It’s fine. I—it’s not that we don’t want them. It’s just that I’m afraid. My childhood wasn’t exactly ideal. What do I know about being a mom?”
“Everything,” Luke said easily. “You know what not to do—that’s easy—and I’ve seen you with Harris. You’re a natural.”
“No,” Josie said. “I’m not.”
He met her eyes. “I know that’s what you think, but you’re wrong. Parents love and protect and they make difficult decisions. You already do those things for everyone you love, and Noah? He’s a really good guy.”
“Yeah,” Josie breathed. “The best.”
“I’d just hate to see you two short yourselves. You’d be really amazing parents. If you decide not to, it shouldn’t be because of fear. That’s all I’m saying. I know a lot about living from a place of fear.”
