Page 141 of A Dirty Business
This was a punch. I, just, fuck.
I pulled out my keys. “I have things still inside.”
“That’s fine. Badge and gun.”
My throat was burning. My chest was searing from the inside out, but it was what it was.
I took out my gun, placed it down. My badge was next.
“You better not put Travis on my guys.”
“I will put whoever I want on your guys. You know you have no say.” He shook his head. “Goddamn, Jess. I never thought you. Never in my whole life. Not you.”
I was blinking back tears, but no way in hell would those things fall.
Forcing out a choked sound, I cleared my throat and went for the door, but just before leaving, I asked, “How is she?”
Another soft expelling of air. “She is dealing.”
“Is she in a place? A hospital? Clinic? I truly have no idea what I did so wrong to her, but I need to know that much. You know I’ve always tried to take care of her.”
“I know.” He made a torn sound, and I couldn’t begin to identify how that came out, but it was torn. All I knew. “She’s at the mental hospital, and she’s in therapy. Intense therapy. They’re doing the whole dual thing, whatever that it is. Where they treat all the shits that happen together. I don’t know those psych terms, but you know what I’m talking about.”
I knew, and another day I might’ve laughed at how helpless his explanation was, but that was Leo. He was old school in ways. “I’d like to see her, when that might be able to open. I’d appreciate it.”
He started nodding, then went to shake his head, and he paused, turning all the way away. “Another guy, Jess. There are other guys. Lovethem. Fall forthem. Don’t give up your career for this one. He ain’t good—or wait until he’sactuallyout.”
That was the heartache of it all.
I’d already made my choice.
“Let me know about my mom.”
I left, not seeing anyone who was in the hallway. They were there, but I wasn’t paying attention to them. I just needed to go, but a loudcrash,thudsounded behind me.
I paused, hearing Leo roar, “Goddammit!”
“Jess.” Val was calling my name, coming after me down the hallway.
I held up a hand. “Better this way. Stay back.”
“Jess! Come on.”
I kept going.
Head down. One foot in front of the other.
I left that way.
CHAPTER SIXTY-THREE
TRACE
Anthony:Jess just asked to pick up more shifts this week. What do you want me to do?
I frowned, reading his text as Ashton and I were heading to one of our warehouses.
“What is it?”
