Page 122 of Panther's Magpie
She pulls out of my arms, tensing as she works up to whatever she has to say next.
“I want to know what you did with Asher. I didn’t even get to say goodbye to him.”
I roll my eyes. “I swear, you are a magnet for trouble. What do you care what I did with him?”
“I told you. He saved me. I want to make sure he’s okay. He has a sister, you know.”
“I do know. I’ve met her, and I bet right now he is with her. I didn’t do anything to him, Aspen. I spared his life for what he did with yours. You know he was a cop, right?”
She looks shocked at that admission. “No. I had no idea.”
“Yeah, so against my better judgment, I let him go. He doesn’t seem in a hurry to turn me in, though. As long as he stays in his lane, I’ll stay in mine.”
“I’ll never see him again, will I?” she asks.
I frown. “I don’t know. Do you want to?”
She looks down at the floor. “I don’t know. Part of me does because he saved me, but he also reminds me of what happened there. I don’t know how I feel about him.”
This is what I was afraid of with Maggie. I think Aspen has trauma bonded with this guy. I’m even more thankful now that I let him go and sent him far away from her. She doesn’t need this shit in her life right now.
“Well, you don’t need to figure it out now. Right now, all you need to do is focus on getting yourself better. I know you don’twant to talk about what happened with me, but Meek will get you a good therapist. I hope you open up to them.”
“Even if it incriminates you?” she asks.
I chuckle. “Aspen, Meek won’t pick someone who would turn us in. They will be good at their job and be willing to keep their traps shut. So say whatever you want to them. Whatever helps you process.”
She gives me a watery smile, smashing her body into me in another hug.
“You really are the best brother in the world.”
“I’ll remember you said that when I marry your best friend.”
“Pssh. I’ll be standing at her side offering her a getaway car in case she gets cold feet.”
I growl, “She won’t leave me.”
Aspen laughs. “No, she won’t. Neither will I. We are a real family now.”
EPILOGUE
MAGGIE
One week later
Today is the day.
I mean, I already know I’m Calloway’s old lady. He made the announcement to the club, and everyone congratulated me. So it shouldn’t feel so momentous, but it does. It feels like today is the start of something new.
Is this how weddings feel like for the bride?
“Look at you looking all beautiful,” Rain teases me as she helps me with my makeup.
Aspen fluffs my hair. “I have always been jealous of your luscious brown hair. My hair is so thin, but you have this thick, gorgeous hair that I can do so much with.”
“You guys are going to make me blush. Stop,” I tell them.
“You won’t be able to see it. I have your cheeks covered.” Rain winks at me.
