Page 86 of Goose

I lean on the doorframe to watch the two of them playing a card game. Zane looks up right away and winks.

Bambi frowns and then turns to see me. “You’re back already?”

I nod and walk in. She hops up and jumps into my arms.

“Something is going on, huh?”

I sit down in the chair with her in my lap. “Yeah. We’re heading out tonight. Nomads found Shadow Raiders in town and chased them out. Pres wants us to strike tonight and strike hard.”

Zane nods. “It’s a good idea. You’ve waited long enough and they’ll never expect it.”

Bambi sighs and leans her head on my chest. “But that means some of you will get hurt, huh?”

“Minor injuries, baby. Don’t think bad thoughts. We’ll all be okay and come home. We have better men and better fucking weapons.”

Zane laughs. “That’s for damn sure. Fuck... I wish I could be there. I want to earn my place with you guys.”

I reach over and pat him on the shoulder. “Brother, you’ve earned your place already. I need you to watch over Bambi tonight.”

“I can do that. My legs might be broken, but my arms sure as fuck work. Ain’t no one touching my sister.”

“Good man.” I turn to Bambi, “You got your gun, baby?”

She nods and sniffles. “Yeah. And a knife and the taser you got me last year.”

I chuckle and kiss her head. “Good. Keep those on you at all times. Gun out, safety off. I don’t want to take any chances.”

Leaning back, I take one of my pistols out and hand it to Zane. “Here, man. You hold on to that.”

He laughs and passes it back to me. “I’ve got mine. Did you really think I was gonna be a sitting duck here?”

I just pat him on the arm and laugh again. “You fit right in.”

Turning back to Bambi, I pull her into me again. She just sighs and wraps her arms around me.

“How long do you have?”

“Have to be back in an hour.”

Zane turns the tv on and leans back in his bed. Bambi puts her legs up on the chair and I put mine on Zane’s bed.

I’m going to spend the entire hour here with the person who means the most to me. Tonight can go sideways in a blink of the eye. If tonight is going to be my last, I want to make sure Bambi knows how much I loved her.

I sigh and lean back to watch whatever shitty show Zane has put on. Bambi nuzzles into the crook of my neck.

“I love you, Sawyer.”

“And I love you, Bambi.”

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