Page 211 of Black Bird

“If that were true, Commander Hale would have been making jokes about it at every Christmas party we’ve had, Jenkins. That shit didn’t happen.” Foley leaned back on the couch and took a sip from his glass. Athan led Sarah into the living room. He was about to pull two kitchen chairs, but Sarah knelt down, criss-crossing her legs on the floor and gesturing for Athan to join her. He crouched behind her, raising a knee on either side and pulling her back against him. Foley looked on, giving him a look of pride as he slightly raised his glass to him.

“Oh, it happened,” Jenkins insisted, “I don’t think Hale made jokes because he’s fucking embarrassed.”

“If anybody should be embarrassed, it’s Rhaena.” Athan smirked, taking another drink from his whiskey. Rhaena shot him an insulted glare.

“Me? Why would I be embarrassed?”

“Cause the only one that year that was a slightly better shot than Longson, wasyou, partner.” Foley chuckled at that, shaking his head and finding his glass to be very interesting.

Rhaena tried to jump from Brandon’s lap, but he held her down, laughing his ass off as she swung for Athan’s head. “You are so full ofshit!”

Sarah giggled, holding up a palm. “Wait, wait … you said he shot somebody in the ass, right?”

“Yeah, dead in the center of his ass cheek.” Athan laughed. “Sounded like somebody gave him a good, barespankin’ …” He reached down, popping Sarah on the curve of her thigh.

“Okay, I hear you … but have any of you considered maybe this poor guymeantto do it?” Sarah turned her chin over her shoulder to look at him, and everybody suddenly grew deadly quiet. She turned her head back and looked at them all, shrugging. “What if hewasn’ta shit shot…you said he got him dead-center? If he meant to do it, that would make him thebestone, would it not? Which means …”

Rhaena clapped her palms together. “Which means Athan owes me anapology.”

“Or Longson, and Dennings might have someexplainingto do!” Jenkins howled, Foley joining him as they leaned forward in heaving laughter.

“Come to think of it, they did spend right much time together before that happened!” Foley cackled, covering his mouth.

“Shame on you both.” Athan grinned, shaking his head and nestling into Sarah’s neck. He softly kissed over that mark and felt her shudder against him.

Stop your shit, before I have to force us to make an extremely rude exit.

He pressed himself against her and smiled against her skin.

Sorry … I was under the impression we were hurrying home to pack my stuff.

A low growl rattled in her throat.

You haven’t even told Rhaena yet.

Athan raised his face over her shoulder. “Rhaena, I’m moving out.” The laughter stopped, and all three of them looked at him with open mouths.

See? Now I’ve told her. Can we go play?

“What? What do you mean?” Rhaena drew her brows together and raised up from Brandon’s lap.

“Nice,” Sarah grunted, elbowing him in the ribs.

“Is this about Dahlia? I thought you’d—” she glanced at the captain, who looked intrigued at first, but then appeared to understand it wasn’t his business. “You’re not skipping the country?”

“Yes, it’s partly about that, and no, I’m not skipping the country.” He turned his face to meet Sarah’s eyes. “Now that none of us have that to worry about, I’m—I’m ready to make a few changes.”

Rhaena slowly lowered herself back to Brandon’s knee. “You’re moving in together?”

Foley cleared his throat. “I uh … I didn’t see that coming.”

“We only just talked about it,” Sarah offered, facing them. “I finally got around to taking a look at my damned apartment. Foster stopped in to tell us the case was closed.”

“Turns out she plays ‘bad cop’ pretty well,” Jenkins offered, cocking his head. “I’ve never seen somebody use their inner mega-bitch as a weapon in work ethic quite like that. She saved our asses.”

Athan eyed Foley. “You alright, Cap?” Foley sighed and nodded as he stared into his glass.

“Yep … obviously, you know … this can’t leave our little circle. Pretty sure my pride took more of a hit than my leg.” He shifted around, placing his glass on the side table. “Look, Kane. I hope you’re not leaving because of the suspension. In light of everything, it seems kinda stupid to keep your badge. You did what you had to do. There’s a lot being covered up for me. I’d like to give—”

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