Page 62 of No Going Back

She rolled her eyes. “I haven’t asked the price yet because I wanted to be sure before I asked. I’ve got my insurance money, but I don’t want to spend it all. After everything that’s happened, I need to know I have savings to fall back on.”

Sean nodded and took her hands. “If you’re sure, I’d like to chip in. I’d like it to be our place. I want to help fix it up, and I want to work it with you.”

Her eyes filled with happy tears. “That sounds amazing. I’d love to go into business with you.”

He kissed her. “Now, let’s go see how much debt we’re about to take on.”

CHAPTER 21

Behind My Back

Sean was having a blast. The people of Phail were fun and interesting. He had a ton of projects to do, and he was more in love with Branna than ever.

It had been a couple of weeks since Hawley had tried to hurt her, and she was completely healed physically. Lia had hooked her up with an online therapist, and Branna was finding it helpful to work through it with an unbiased person.

Sean was definitely biased.

Every time they had to do more paperwork or answer more questions about Hawley, his rage bubbled up again. Throwing himself into the renovation at the saloon was helping. Nothing like bashing the shit out of an old bathroom to help him deal with the anger. His imagination came up with dozens of great ways to annihilate Hawley while he was smashing things.

Now, he was building a surprise for Branna, but the nail gun was another great therapeutic tool.

“Falcon?”

He recognized Marcus’ voice immediately, but the sound still made him jump. He’d locked up the place so Branna wouldn’t sneak in and ruin her surprise. Should have known his buddy had a key.

Instead of calling Marcus to come in, Sean moved to the main room of the saloon and raised an eyebrow at Jabba, who lay on the floor, exposing his belly for Marcus to rub. “Some guard dog you turned out to be. What’s up, Arrow? Hawley still rotting in a cell?”

Marcus nodded. “Sure is. And the feds in Miami are tying him into a ton of other crimes. Now that his former gang has disbanded, they’re more than willing to throw him under the proverbial bus. Anyone who’s picked up for anything is using their information on Hawley to cut some deals.”

“Hawley better not be cutting any deals.”

“Not a one. Hawley pissed off a lot of people. Killing one of his own sent a message to everyone else. And he’s been stepping on the toes of other gangs, so he’s not getting any help from any direction. Warren Lewis has been fired and is also rotting in jail waiting on his trial.”

Good. That’s the way it should be.

“I’ve got some time this afternoon. Thought I could give you a hand.”

Sean hesitated for a fraction of a second. But this was Arrow, one of the people he trusted most in the world. Before he could respond, Marcus rolled his eyes. “I know you’re trying to keep something secret from Branna. Hell, everyone knows that. And no one’s going to ruin your surprise, least of all me. That woman deserves a happy surprise or two. You can trust me to keep it quiet.”

Sean grinned. “Nothing quite like small towns. Okay, you’re in. Come on, this way.”

Five minutes later, another voice called out. Troy. They went through almost the exact same spiel and then the three of them were making progress in the space.

When they took a break, Sean grabbed water for them all. “You heard anything from Levi or the others recently? I think they’d like it in Vermont. Just have to figure out how to get them here.”

Marcus and Troy shared a look and grinned. Marcus held up his water in a salute. “This from the guy who wouldn’t even answer texts a few months ago. The same guy who only deigned to appear when he needed our help.”

Sean felt his skin flush, but he laughed. It was true. He shrugged. “I wasn’t ready. Needed to work some shit out. I told Jabba I was thinking of heading up here or down to Miami just before I got Branna’s text.”

Troy shrugged. “Nothing from Slick or Garrett, but Oz responded the other day.”

“What did he have to say?”

Troy grinned. “Other than giving me shit for calling him Oz? Not a lot, but when I pressed him to come up because I had an opportunity for him up here, he didn’t tell me to screw off.”

Progress. “You tell him about the barn and the potential for a brewery?”

“Not a chance. If I give him too much information, he’ll find excuses. He’s not handling pressure well. Not since we got back. I don’t want to add to that. It’s got to be his choice.”