Page 111 of S.O.S. Billboard

Billboard snorted to himself. At least he wasn’t the only one unable to get things out of his mouth.

“Well, I’ve gotgoodnews.Times two.” Mizzay looked smug, which was saying a lot for a woman who made the world dance to her tune; at least from what Billboard had seen.

“Well, don’t keep us in suspense,” O’Shea returned. “The most interesting thing that’s happened around here is me not having to use the freaking bedpan anymore.”

Oh, yeah.O’Shea had hated that.

“Well, I just got word from Agent Vessers.” Mizzay looked so pleased. “Thanks to Anna and those papers—as well as you, O’Shea—the FBI has rounded up all the other players in Jakes’ little world, and they’re singing their asses off, implicating each other left and right to save their own heinies.”

As always, when Mizzay got down to business, she lost her Bronx accent.

“Nobody’s going to bother Ms. Jakes or her boy anymore,” the sparky little woman continued. “As a matter of fact, there’s some long overdue restitution coming.” Her eyes actually twinkled. “Turns out Jakes paidAnna’sdivorce lawyer off to cheat her out of what was legally hers in the settlement. So, she’ll recoup that, plus damages and such. Which means a tidy sum will be headed her way.” Mizzay smirked. “Let’s just say that she’ll still have to work her day job, but she won’t have to worry about money anymore.”

“That’s awesome.” O’Shea did a fist pump, and grinned lopsidedly.

“You want more good news?” Mizzay asked cheekily.

“There’s more?” O’Shea’s healing black-eyes went round.

“Sure is, doll,” Mizzay preened. “I might have been in touch with the powers that be at the Boston Police Commissioners office. It seems like your transfer of credentials from your old precinct was approved. Which means, pending your healing timeline, you’ll be going to work for the BPD.”

This time, O’Shea couldn’t be contained. She squealed, flipped back her covers and swung her legs out of bed. Landing on her good one, she hopped over to Mizzay, giving her a huge hug.

“Hey. Watch those ribs,” Mizzay scolded.

“Ribs? What ribs,” O’Shea answered, but Billboard saw her grimace.

He stepped forward. “Okay. We’ll celebrate, big time, later. After you get better,” he told his woman, letting her lean on him as he helped her back to bed.

“Yeah,” O’Shea huffed, settling under her blankets again. “As soon as they let me out of this place.”

Billboardhadtalked to her doctors, and they said that she might be cleared to go home the next day. Not that he’d say that and get her hopes up. And when Billboard thought “home”, hemeant his place. There was no way he’d let her recuperate at Anna’s house. Despite the stellar care he knew she’d get there, he needed to have his eyes on her at all times. Del had already approved a couple weeks off for him so O’Shea wouldn’t be alone.

Billboard bit back a chuckle. He knew O’Shea would have something to say about that, but it was a done deal as far as he was concerned.

Mizzay stayed for another few minutes before seeing herself out.

After her visit, O’Shea was all smiles.

Great.Now was a perfect time.

“So,” Billboard pulled his chair close and took O’Shea’s hand. “Since it looks like you’re going to be sticking around in the Boston area, there’s something I’ve—”

The door swung inward again, and Billboard groaned.

“Peanut!” A tall, dark-haired man rushed across the room, went to the opposite side of the bed from Billboard, and grabbed O’Shea’s free hand before bending down to bury his face in the crown of her head.

Billboard barely managed to stifle a growl.

What the ever-loving fuck? And…Peanut?

O’Shea’s mouth was opening and closing like a beached fish, right before she burst into tears.

Enough was enough.

Whoever this guy was—

The man looked up at Billboard and smiled.

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