Page 143 of Bishop

“When have I ever cared about anything but myself?”

“You’re not as heartless as you claim. You’ve always cared about our businesses. About money, and Lorenzo, and your reputation.”

“And me,” Layla chimes in with a chipper tone. “You know you care about me.”

I glower.

Langston playfully drags her closer to his side. “You’re not incapable of softness, Bishop. What I want to know is if I should be pushing back against Lorenzo’s demands for you to leave.”

My pulse thuds.

Langston has more sway over his uncle than I do. If I don’t want to leave, this is the olive branch I need. But if I stay, all I’ll do is succumb further to Abri. And she’ll grow more reliant on me to stop her attacks. The blurred lines between us will become increasingly hazy and the complications will grow.

Proximity to Abri Costa isn’t something that will serve either of us.

“No.” I shake my head. “As much as I despise the thought of not running point on this operation, I can still pull the strings from D.C.”

His eyes narrow. “But why would you need to? What does Lorenzo see that I don’t?”

“Wedding bells and matrimony for a start. The old man is demanding I put a ring on it if I stay.”

“Are you serious?” Layla gapes. “He wants you two to get married?”

Langston’s expression hardens. “If that’s his stipulation, I’ll march you onto the jet myself.”

That’s what I thought.

Not one motherfucker who knows me would sentence any woman to a lifetime at my side. Especially the guy who understands me best.

“Like I said, I’ll pull the strings from D.C.” My cell vibrates in my pocket, and I pull it out of my jacket as Langston mutters what I can only safely assume is something unflattering about me.

Dyker

Car spotted outside Burlington. Same male driver behind the wheel. No other passengers.

“What is it?” Matthew repositions himself on the bed, sitting taller.

“Dyker passed Adena’s car on the highway.” I type back—

Bishop

Don’t lose him

—before meeting Langston’s gaze. “She’s no longer riding shotgun. Geppet was the only one in the vehicle.” I scrub a rough palm over my mouth, trying to formulate the best course of action.

“Is that good news or bad?” Layla asks.

“At the very least it means we now have access to someone who’s spent a lot of lonely hours with Adena.” I start for the hall. “I’m going to hit the road. Get him alone. Squeeze him until he starts singing.”

“Wait,” Langston barks. “Abri needs to make the decision on this. It’s her daughter.”

I stop in the doorway, scowling at him over my shoulder. “She can barely think straight. She’s too emotionally invested.”

“So are you. Whatever you and my sister have gone through has you acting on impulse. And I get it. This job feels personal. But it’s her choice. Her daughter’s safety always has to be her choice.”

“He’s right.” Layla gives me a pleading look.

I jab a pointed finger in her direction. “Stay the fuck out of this.”

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