Page 150 of Wild Card
I groaned internally. I really wished Rusty had kept his big mouth shut. “Don’t feel that way. It was always about Axel’s happiness and Banshee’s well-being. That’s still true even if she’s living with you.”
“She’s happy there,” Axel affirmed. “And it’s good for you both. Besides, if I’m going to be running a foster program, I have to get used to relinquishing pets to responsible owners. You’re all getting drafted as volunteers, by the way.”
Gray slumped. “Great.”
“Aw, come on, there has to be a dog out there that won’t hate you,” Axel said, chuckling.
“Thanks for that,” Gray said. “That’s very reassuring.”
“Well, we’re used to dogs running around anyway,” Bailey said with a shrug. “Sign me up.”
“You’ll be off to college soon,” Holden reminded him. “Might not be the best time.”
“Fostering is temporary,” Axel said. “He can keep dogs while he’s here, but once they’re adopted, they’ll move on and so can he.”
“See?” Bailey said. “You can shove me out of the house like you want.”
Holden frowned. “That’s not what I want.”
Bailey pushed away from the table. “I’m gonna go play darts. Who’s in?”
“I’ll play,” Emory said, scooting back his chair. “I might actually beat you at this game.”
Bailey grinned. “Bet you twenty bucks?”
Holden rolled his eyes. “Oh great, just what we need. Another game for Bailey to hustle people at.”
“I’m going to pretend I’m not hearing this.” I pointed to my chest. “Sheriff. Remember?”
Everyone chuckled. “It’s just a friendly bet. Surely that’s not against the law.”
I waggled my hand. “Eh, it’s technically gambling.” I shot Axel a look. “But you all wouldn’t know anything about that.”
Axel held up his hands. “Hey, don’t look at me. My gambling days are over.”
Holden raised his eyebrows. “Really?”
“Really,” Axel said flatly. “I’m not fucking around with that crazy fucker Jett ever again. Besides, I care way too much about Dalton to mess up his career for a fun night and some easy cash.”
“C’mere,” I murmured, tugging him into a long kiss. “You’re gonna be too busy to gamble, anyway.”
“Yeah?” He grinned. “In bed with you?”
“And out of bed, rescuing all those fosters who need homes just like you did.”
His eyes misted over. He nodded once, jaw tight. I worried I might have said the wrong thing.
Then he kissed me again, harder. “Take me home, Sheriff. I want to celebrate some more before we get too busy with everything else.”
I grinned, my heart beating a little faster. “I’ll never be too busy for you, Ax.”
“Are you arguing?” he challenged.
“Me? Hell no.” I stood and tossed some cash on the table. “Take me home, darlin’. I’m all yours.”
EPILOGUE
TWO YEARS LATER
