Page 226 of King of Pain
When I watched the press conference video, I saw the barely contained rage in Jimmy Gorski’s eyes…
Yeah. That told me everything I needed to know.
He buried this. Buried it with those monsters.
And for the first time since before Father Tommy ever laid a hand on me… I feel free.
Of course, Chance is still protective as hell. Deacon is still with us—on payroll now as official Head of Security for the agency. Every client’s security detail runs through him. Most of them just ask Deacon to assign someone, which works out best for all parties.
Except Jason. Jason keeps firing his assigned detail. Keeps asking for Deacon himself.
Chance isnotthrilled about that one. He wants Deacon’s eyes on me when his can’t be.
But Jason’s big coming out is looming, and every threat assessment says we need to ramp up his security.
Meg’s floated the idea of six months with Deacon leading Jason’s detail personally, setting the framework, then he’ll hand pick a bodyguard and oversee Jason’s detail remotely. We’ll see.
I just know this—Chance and I have settled into a good life. A calm life. Headed toward a beautiful future. That’s more than I ever thought I’d get.
Two familiar, warm hands press to my knees, grounding me in the now.
My gaze snaps up.
A sea of electric blue meets my eyes, concerned and searching.
“You okay, Beautiful?” Chance asks, thumb now stroking softly on my cheek. “We don’t have to sign right this minute if you’re not ready.”
I shake my head, grab his wrist, and run my thumb along the inside of it. “No. I’m more than ready.” I glance past him to Jen, Lexi, and Spence. “I was just thinking how grateful I am. For all of this. For all of you.”
They smile, and Jen gives me a little wink.
I scoot up to my desk. Chance stands at my side, steady and solid.
I crack my knuckles and grin. “Let’s do this.”
Spence lays out all the documents on my desk with precise, practiced movements.
He’s sliding pens across to each of us when a voice practicallyexplodesfrom the hallway.
“Am I late? Did I miss it?”
Spence’s eyes roll so hard I’m half-worried they’ll get stuck.
I glance up, startled, just in time to see Butters come barreling into my office, hair tousled, cheeks flushed.
I blink. “What are you doing here?”
Butters scoffs, planting both hands on my desk to catch his breath. “Gee, thanks, PacMan.”
I laugh, shaking my head. “Sorry, I’m glad you’re here for this. What I meant was—how did you know to be here?”
Spence huffs. “I texted him. I thought you might want him here, even if it’s a small part of the process.”
I glance over, about to thank him, when I catch the look on Butters’ face—beaming like Spence just gave him the greatest gift. “Heya, Spence.”
And I swear… Spence softens. Barely. “Ryan,” he says quietly.
Then lawyer mode is back on. Spence clears his throat, turning the documents toward us and pointing out each signature line. “Alright. Here. Here. And here. Everyone signs where I’ve flagged.”
