Page 126 of Bloom: Part 2

“Of course I will. We take care of each other.”

Satisfied, I plucked the creased envelope from my inside pocket and handed it to him. “Can I trust you with this?”

“What is it?”

“A letter. For Crowe. I want you to keep it until Logan and I leave for our honeymoon, then give it to him.”

“Umm, okay.” He stuffed the letter into his pocket. “I can do that.”

“Ithasto be after we leave. Don’t forget that.”

“Sure, I get it. I promise that’s—”

A deafening crack split the air twice, and Max’s body jolted violently beside me. Twin spots of blood bloomed on his chest like an opening flower, staining the crisp fabric of his shirt as he crumpled. My breath caught, and the world seemed to tilt, narrowing to the sight of Max sprawled on the steps, his eyes wide in shock.

“Max!” I dropped to my knees beside him, pressing my hands against the wounds. Blood seeped between my fingers, warm and slick, as I tried to stop the flow.

“Step away from him now, or I’ll shoot him again.”

I whipped my head around at the familiar voice. A man stepped out from the shadows, aiming a gun at me. My stomach dropped.

“You?”

37

LOGAN

Ileaned against the bar, swirling the amber liquid in my glass as I watched Max step outside after Bloom. A small weight lifted from my chest. At least someone had gone after him. I wasn’t too keen on him going out on his own. We still had so much to talk about, but not until I found out what Dr. Simms was up to.

The bar hummed with life. Uncle Mickey and Emil were playing poker with some of the bikers. I frowned. It was so rare to see Uncle Mickey without Bishop. Why did only two of them show up tonight?

My focus drifted back to the door. Maybe I should check on Bloom. I shook my head and forced myself to relax. Max was with him. He’d be fine.

“Logan.” Jamie’s voice pulled me from my thoughts. He sidled up to the bar, his face a little flushed. He’d kicked off his shoes and went around barefooted.

“What’s up, Jamie?” I set my glass down.

He smiled faintly, but something wistful gleamed in his eyes. “This was a nice thing you did for Bloom. The bikers will come to appreciate it…after.”

I groaned. “Grimm told you.”

“We don’t keep anything from each other, but don’t worry. Your secret’s safe with me.”

“I have the feeling too many people know.”

“But people you trust.”

I drummed my fingers on the wooden bar top. “What’s this I hear about Dr. Simms being fired?”

“Well, not exactly fired. He’s suspended for now until the hospital finishes their investigation.”

“Do you know what’s up with that?”

“Not fully. I reported Bloom’s claims, and they’re eager not to have another scandal so soon after the shooting incident, so they’re taking it seriously. Turns out there was another report from another patient of his that wasn’t taken seriously before. This time it is.”

“I think there’s a lot more going on with Dr. Simms.”

“How do you mean?”

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