Page 80 of Playing for Keeps (Checkmate 4)

“Is still dead. He never made it out of the club.”

“He took a bullet for me, too,” Jess whimpers. “Everybody took my bullets.”

Still the badass, still shielding her and staring me off, Kane’s hand sneaks back to stroke Jess’ leg in comfort. “Next question.”

“Abel Hayes?”

“I took him out personally. I popped him between the eyes and didn’t walk away until I knew he was out.”

“Where’d you go? After that, until now, you’ve been gone. Where’d you go?”

“Brass pulled me in. As far as the world knew, I was dead. I was invisible to Abel’s organization, so my people were using me to find the top dog while I was a ghost.”

“Top dog…?” My eyes shoot from his, to Eric’s, then back to Kane’s. “Abel’s not at the top?”

“It would appear he was nothing but a soldier himself.” He shrugs. “He was but a pawn in someone else’s game. We all were.”

“So who’s at the top?”

“Dunno. Still looking. Your turn; what happened to your leg?”

“Infection after surgery. Took a bullet to my gut and leg. Allegedly my leg wasn’t healing up, so they took it.”

“Allegedly?”

I shrug. “I was asleep.”

“Rumor has it you took a bullet, too,” Andi says to Jess. Sitting forward with inappropriate excitement, Andi angles to get closer to the blonde. “I’m glad they didn’t take your arm. Can I see?”

Kane shifts to block Jess. “No.”

Andi scowls. “You’re still rude.” She turns to me. “Is thisNope?”

“Nope.”

Her brows draw together. “Nope?”

“Nope.”

Eric’s brows pinch. “Nope?”

“Jesus. Nope!” I pull Andi back. “Nopewas Jay. His brother. Hush.”

She leans back into the couch, pressing her shoulder to mine, and points at Kane. “I prefer your brother. He was nicer.”

He gives a soft scoff, a laugh that carries absolutely zero humor. “Me too, Conner. Trust me, I prefer him, too.” His eyes come back to mine. “Anything I need to know while I was gone?”

“I didn’t hear anything. I quit the force and have been busy healing and telling my girl to get lost.”

His eyes come to Dee. “She didn’t listen.”

I chuckle. “She never does. I’ve learned she never ever does.”

“You quit the force? Why?”

I shrug. “It’s not for me. My boss doesn’t trust me anymore. I lied to him for a year, so it’s understandable. I don’t wanna sit desk duty, and I don’t want my life to be about patrolling Main Street and ticketing jaywalkers. I did the right thing by everyone and quit.”

“What are you gonna do now? How’s your leg?”

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