Page 58 of Bloom: Part 2

Well, there was that. “Too bad.”

He gave a heavy sigh. “Story of my life. Everyone’s got someone.”

“Win doesn’t. Neither does Sarge.”

“Oh, please. Sarge is obviously into Max’s little brother. Why else would he still be here? Sarge never stays around for long. And that reverend Win’s interested in is here today.”

“He is? Where?”

“Long blond hair, faded jeans, and burgundy-and-blue shirt?”

The man who’d entered the mess hall just a few minutes ago. He was the reverend? He looked so much different without his clergy robes.

“I see him. What’s he doing here?”

“Think he’s close to—Jasper’s here!” Saint’s face broke into a grin. He didn’t even spare me a good-bye as he rushed off to the man carrying a baby in his arms and a baby bag. The child was crying, and his father looked frazzled. Saint reached for the baby, who quieted down almost instantly. Jasper looked close to tears as Saint brought him over to a table.

“Bloom, over here!” Jamie waved me over to the table where all the boys were gathered.

Groaning, I scanned the room, but Logan hadn’t returned with Grimm. With a deep breath, I grabbed a bottle of beer and walked over to them. I had taken my pills hours ago. Maybe I could finish the beer before Logan found out.

“Hey, what’s up?” I asked.

“I already introduced Joel to everyone else. Joel, this is Bloom.”

“Wow,” Joel said. “He’s really as good looking as you said in your messages, Jamie.”

“Told ya!”

“Sorry, no one mentioned you before now.” I shrugged. “Are you Grimm’s biological kid?” I asked. They didn’t look alike. I’dbeen in Smoky Vale long enough. Why hadn’t I bumped into him before?

“Yes, I am.” He folded his arms, the corners of his mouth hitching into a smile. “What? I look nothing like him?”

“I’m afraid not, but given Grimm’s not exactly a looker, that’s probably a good thing.”

“Hey, that’s my Daddy you’re talking about!” Jamie protested.

Joel burst out laughing so hard he almost toppled over from his seat. Tears streamed down his face, and he had to remove his glasses to wipe them with the back of his hand.

“You have a good sense of humor,” Joel said. “We have to hang out sometime. I’ll be here until after Christmas. It’s rare for me to get such a long time away from work, but my boss agreed this time.”

“What do you do?” I asked.

“I’m a criminal defense attorney.”

“Jamie says he’s really good,” Cass said.

“He is.” Between Jamie and Cass, I couldn’t tell who was more excited to see Joel. Fable was quiet as usual, and Miles was fiddling with his glasses. “Last year, the Agosti family recruited him as their lawyer.”

Joel just smiled, neither confirming nor denying. Lawyers. They were as bad as the police. Unless they were on your side.

“They’re paying him a hefty retainer fee too.”

“What’s the Agosti family?” I asked.

“One of the five major Mafia families in New York. They were the strongest family in La Casa Nostra until their own son took them down.”

Familiar hands came down on my shoulders from behind, massaging them gently.

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