Page 93 of Ace of Spades

The guilt twists deeper, now in my gut.

“Didn’t realize you were in town,” I say gruffly.

He crosses the room, clapping a hand on my shoulder with a thud that rattles all the bullshit loose inside me.

No suspicion in his face. No judgment. Just a man happy to see the guy who’s had his back through all of life’s ups and downs. Almost as happy as Milo.

I hate myself a little more for it.

“You got a minute?” Brody asks, jerking his chin toward my office door.

“Yeah,” I grunt, taking quick inventory of who’s already here.

Not Sienna. That much is clear. I would’ve sensed her the moment I pulled up.

Milo pads after us like a shadow, settling by Brody’s stool once we’re inside. The one Sienna usually sits in when we’re going over shop details.

I close the door behind us, feeling the walls close in a little tighter around my chest.

Brody pulls a folded packet of papers from the inside pocket of his jacket and lays them on the desk between us.

“What’s that?” I ask.

“Broker’s opinion of value.” His voice is easy, calm, like he’s talking about the weather. “He sent it over last night. I tried calling but figured you must’ve been busy with Josie.”

Wrong.I was busy having my way with your daughter on this very… nevermind. I need to focus.

I stare at the papers but don’t reach for them.

Brody leans back, casually.

“If we sell, after paying off the loans and expenses, we’re looking at about a million dollar split each.”

A million.

He says it like it’s good news. Like it’s freedom. But all I hear is the death knell of everything we built. Everything I bled for.

I sink into my desk chair, the leather creaking under my weight.

“You serious?” I ask, even though I know he is.

Brody shrugs like it’s no big deal.

“No decision needed today. Just wanted to show you that you have options. You’ve got Josie to think about now. Stability. The future. Might be a good time to get out while you’re ahead.”

I glance out the office window, to where Skid’s rifling through parts fighting with Gramps. Kick’s in her corner, bopping to her ridiculous music as she fabricates some pieces.

My chest tightens, a slow brutal squeeze.

“This place is finally turning around,” I tell him, voice low. “The crew… it’s like they’re getting their second wind. Hell, even the books are starting to make sense again.”

Brody smiles, easy and a little proud.

“Yeah. And that’s why now’s the time to think smart. You’re doing right by them, Levi. Always have. But maybe it’s time you do right by yourself, too.”

Milo shifts at Brody’s feet, pressing against his leg. Brody absently drops a hand to scratch behind his ears.

“Just think about it,” he says. “Nobody’s forcing you to do a damn thing. But now more than ever, I really want you to think about what life might look like without the headache of having to keep SKC afloat.”

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