Page 212 of Black Bird

“You don’t have to do that, sir.” Athan slid an arm around Sarah’s waist. “I deserved it. Boston’s in good hands for now.”

Rhaena’s shoulders sagged. “Are you giving up the badge, Kane?”

“Nah …” he smiled, pulling Sarah close. “Just enjoying a little … freedom.” Athan met Rhaena’s eyes, which softened in understanding at that last word. She slowly nodded, smirking at him.

“I imagine things are gonna be a little quieter regarding cases like the two of you get,” Sarah added. “The coven doesn’t really need blood anymore. Most of them sounded like they were clearing out of Boston altogether.”

“We’ve still got one …” Rhaena focused her attention on Sarah, who caught her meaning immediately. She tensed.

“I think we should hold off on that for a while,” Sarah sighed. “I think that rabbit hole just got a little deeper, and I’m not sure I’m ready to take the leap yet.”

“Why? Did something happen?” she asked.

Athan tightened his arm around her. “Dahlia seemed to know something about him. Whatever it was, she took it to Hell with her. It opens a whole other side of this mystery that I’m not sure any of us are ready for.”

Rhaena cursed under her breath. “What do you think will happen to the club now?” It was a question he’d asked himself ever since they’d left Sarah’s apartment.

“Truthfully, now that it’s in the hands of Patrick’s family … as sad as it is, I hope they burn it and collect some insurance money. They might feel like justice was served, but I sure as hell don’t. That place is a stain on Boston that needs to be cleaned out.”

He looked at Sarah who stared at Rhaena and Brandon’s joined hands. “Rhaena … did Wren mention anything about coming back here to stay with you?”

“I told her she’s welcome to. I wouldn’t wanna go back to that place. It’s definitely her decision, but she wasn’t really inclined to make it in the back of an ambulance.”

“I really don’t want her to be alone.” Sarah’s voice was edged with guilt. Rhaena’s eyes raised with a gentle smile.

“I uh … don’t think she will be, friend.”

“If you’re talking about Brent, I know for afactshe’d never play house at his place,” Sarah scoffed.

“Actually,” Foley raised a finger, “Stratford conveyed his plans to move. Before all this happened, he told me he was eager to leave Boston after his mother passed. Now they both have, and with the press and everything they’re about to smother him with? I feel pretty confident he’ll make good on those plans.”

The room grew quiet.

“Everything’s about to change, isn’t it?” Rhaena breathed. They all glanced around at one another, and Athan nodded. Pressing closer to his mate, he leaned in to kiss her cheek.

“It’s about damn time.”

CHAPTER 39

HAPPY CHRISTMAS

Something felt strange. Like his awareness buzzed, even in a heavily medicated sleep, letting him know that there was someone there … someone watching him. Brent’s eyes flew open, and his face darted to his right to find an unexpected visitor sitting Indian-style in a chair next to his bed. She looked up, smiling as she closed a book—a very questionable book for her age—and laid it down in her small lap.

“Well … this is different,” Annie said, fresh-faced and vibrant with life. He couldn’t help but smile at her. “You really do look like hell, Stratford.”

“Your mom and dad letting you read filthy books now?” Brent gestured to the novel she tucked under her oversized sweater.

Annie shrugged. “Well, I did almost meet my maker. What’s the worst that can come out of a bit of light reading?”

“You’ll be a fine lawyer, kid.”

“I’m sorry about your dad …” She twitched her mouth.

“I’m not.”

Annie snorted, “Okay, I lied … I’m sorry about your mom, though.”

Brent reached for the button to incline the bed and sit himself upright. “How’d you hear about that?”

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