Page 210 of Black Bird

“He’s very full of himself. We’ll have to put his cage somewhere he can admire it.”

Her heightened hearing caught the sound of footsteps outside the lower door just before it opened, and they continued up the steps to her apartment. Rachel Foster appeared seconds later and leaned against the open doorway. Sarah frowned.

“You’ve got balls, Foster.”

Foster looked around at her handiwork and lowered her head. “I’ll admit … it was a bit much. We were um—having a rough day. I’m sorry.”

“I was coming around to the idea of maybe liking you before I walked in here,” Sarah added, sticking close to Athan’s side. “Find what you needed?”

“Nope.”

“Why are you here?”

Foster stuck her hands in the pockets of her long, tan coat and stepped inside. “I came to bid thee farewell. Wanted to let you know that I’ve spoken to the captain … cleared everything with my superiors. The case is closed. I’m heading back to Washington.”

Athan’s muscles tensed. “That was fast. How are you covering that?” he asked, quirking a brow.

“Same way you do. I spoke to some of yourfriendsat the tavern. They were happy to oblige. The ashes of the missing boy are on their way to his family as we speak. His parents have agreed to keep quiet regarding his murder. The Irish beefcake offered them the deeds to the club in exchange for their silence, and they feel like justice was served. The murders that were meant to resemble Sarah, we’ve pinned on the unfortunate soul that Vintorri gunned down on the street … except for this last one. That one, we framed on Conrad Stratford, who we’ve got enough dirt on to prove he was closely working with Van Hausen. Nick Specter was an overachiever with that. As there aren’t bodies for her, or the girl Northwood burned at her cabin, I couldn’t exactly divvy up blame. I covered ballistics reports for the Stratford shooting with Foley’s service weapon, and his assistant’s confession, along with Vintorri’s statement, put that case to rest. Of course, there were some complications with that, since Gretchen’s testimony was relayed through word of mouth. But considering those mouths were protected by badges, I’d say … we’re good for now.”

“You make it sound so simple,” Sarah muttered, trying to process all the information.

“Oh, it’s far from simple, St. James. That’s the short version of several more hours … maybeweeksof work I’m gonna have to wade through to keep it solid. But … I plan to do some of that shit sitting in first class on my plane ride back to Seattle. Maybe with a few stiff drinks.”

Sarah smirked. “Thank you.”

Foster stepped forward and extended her hand. Sarah took it and they shook briefly. “It’s been fun … but I really hopenotto see you in the future,” she winked. “Remember what I said. Keep your ass outta trouble …please.”

“I don’t think you’re gonna have to worry about that.” Sarah willed darkness into her eyes and Foster cocked her head to the side, glancing at Athan, who offered her a sly smile.

“Lovely …” she snorted, rolling her eyes and releasing Sarah’s hand. She turned to leave and raised two fingers up, not looking back at them as she walked out the door and started down the steps. “If you’re ever back in Seattle …don’t call me!”

Athan took a long drag on his cigarette and knitted his brows as he stared out the door. “I never thought I’d say it … but I might like her a little.”

“Yeah, well … if you’re getting any ideas about a threesome, she’s not my type.” Sarah scoffed. He side-eyed her as he puffed one last drag, smirking.

“Yeah, I know … you’re more intohookers…”

Smoke puffed out of his mouth when she drove her fist into his stomach, and he cackled as she went to slapping anything she could reach.

Athan clutched Sarah’s hand as they strode to his door from the elevator. He was still a little caught off guard by Sarah’s request. Not one part of him questioned his willingness to leave this building and start over with the woman he’d been so undeserving of … but the thought of being asked to live with someone. The thought of being asked … and not forced. The thought of not having to wonder how many more days he’d have left before what little freedom he’d managed to get would be cleverly jerked from underneath him—it was a lot to take in. He’d miss very little about this place. Maybe the shower. As he fumbled with his keys and raised his hand to slide it into the door, laughter interrupted his thoughts.

Rhaena …

He’d miss her, too. It wasn’t like he was moving back to Old London, and she’d always be his partner, but the familiarity of being here in case she ever needed him stung a little. She had somebody else to see to that care now. Somebody shewasdeserving of. Somebody that he wished he’d pushed her to pursue a long time ago. This apartment was full of memories and bad choices. Some of those memories would be better off staying within these walls. Sarah looked to their right, smiling when more laughter trickled out from behind Rhaena’s apartment door. He pocketed his keys. Sarah rapped on the door, and Athan couldn’t help but pull her close while they waited for someone to answer it.

Rhaena opened the door with half a short glass of bourbon in her hand. Her mouth dropped open in relief and she swung the door open wider, tackling them both. “Ugh! ThankGod!” she grunted, pulling back to glare between them. “If either of you ever do that shit to me again, I’ll use you as my—”

“Training dummy,” Foley and Brandon both said together from the living room. Rhaena jerked her chin over her shoulder, shooting them a nasty look.

“Both of you can go screw yourselves—in your case,respectfully, sir.” Her bottom lip stretched across her chin as she turned her face back towards Athan and Sarah, and Athan whistled, shaking his head.

“Balls,” Sarah tisked, shaking hers as well.

“Come in.” Rhaena stepped aside and urged them forward with her sloshing whiskey glass. “Welcome back to theIsland of Misfit Toys…” They crept in awkwardly, Athan jerking his head up at Jenkins in greeting, and then saluting his captain. Rhaena slipped past them, making herself at home on Brandon’s lap. “Fix yourself a couple fingers. We were just arguing over who was a more miserable shot when we got out of academy. Kane, do you remember the guy’s name that popped Sargent Dennings in the ass with a nine-millimeter?”

Athan had been pouring them both a glass and had just raised it to his mouth when he choked into his whiskey. It exploded around his nose and mouth, and he lowered it, wiping his face as he curled around the corner of the kitchen doorway. “Longson!” He laughed, pointing the glass at Jenkins, whose eyebrows leapt to his hairline.

“Yes!That’s it!” Jenkins slapped a palm to the arm of the couch. “That son-of-a-bitch ended up moppin’ floors at Ardenside Rest Home! Rhaena and Cap didn’t believe me when I told them he offered to give the commander a blowjob for a recommendation!”

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