Page 133 of The Long Game

“Very subtle. I’ll keep that in mind.”

“But if you get brought up on more charges, all bets are off and I’ll arrest you as soon as I see you.”

“Of course,” René agreed. “I understand.”

Grady eyed him, taking a moment to consider carefully what he was about to do. In the end, though, he needed Jack safe and he believed René when he said he wanted that, too. “Before you go, you might be interested to know John Babcock has been hanging around, bothering Jack.”

René’s eyes narrowed. “Has he now?”

“He says he’s been cut out everywhere and seems to think Jack can influence the person responsible. It’s been…distressing to Jack to be confronted by him again.”

René’s dark scowl did not bode well for John Babcock. “Thank you for telling me.”

Grady’s conscience pinched at him.

René touched Grady’s arm again. “Fear not, Sergeant McDonnough. Mr. Babcock will be unharmed and employed on the other side of the country by the end of the week.”

“I appreciate your willingness not to break the law.”

René pursed his lips. “Never underestimate what I’d be willing to do to help Jack. I’m a police informant now because of him.”

Grady laughed. “That has to hurt.”

René shook his head ruefully. “If Jack has taught me nothing else, it’s that it’s never too late to live a better life. I feared he’d never allow himself to be with someone, to be vulnerable. I feared I had some responsibility in that, too.”

“He doesn’t blame you.”

“I know he doesn’t. But I know I don’t deserve his friendship. I don’t deservehimat all.”

“None of us do.”

“It’s because you see that, that I know you’re worthy of him. I wish you both joy, Sergeant McDonnough.”

“It’s Grady,” he said, sticking out a hand.

René took it. “Grady. I’m René, and at your service should you or Jack ever need me.”

“Noted. For what it’s worth, I hope this new leaf you’ve turned over sticks.”

“Less work for you all at the RCMP, I suppose.”

Grady shook his hand. “That would be the second-best reason.”

René eyed Grady, then nodded once in acknowledgment and turned for his car, his hulking shadows trailing behind him.

By the time Grady got back into the house, all of Sam’s belongings had already been moved into Colton’s room so Hannah could have what was to have been Sam’s. The boys were in a heated argument about who got the top bunk while Rhian tried to propose a coin toss to decide. Jack was walking Hannah around the apartment, introducing her to everyone and explaining how “they fit into their family.” Savannah stopped on her way to bring Hannah a glass of water and a snack to let Grady know she had already left a message with her OB/GYN. Apparently, Hannah was six months along and having a girl.

And maybe Grady wasn’t the sharpest knife in the drawer, or maybe he was gettingtoogood at adopting lost family members, but it wasn’t until that moment that it truly sank in that his family had just expanded again. And soon there would be…ababy.

Grady’s knees went weak, but before he could collapse onto the floor in the middle of the apartment, Travis’s arm was around his shoulders. “You got this.”

“Do I?” Grady asked, his voice high.

Travis looked at Jack, then back to Grady. “Maybe you need to work out some details, but you’ve got amazing support.”

“The best,” Grady agreed. He smiled at Travis. “Brother.”

Travis grinned and used his grip on Grady to shake him. “You almost pooped your drawers when I said it.”

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