Page 167 of Cross & Crown

“Thank you,” Nick said, almost inaudible.

Paddy tapped Nick’s cheek with the tips of his fingers.

“Don’t be a stranger, kiddo.”

“Don’t hold your breath, old man.”

Paddy barked a laugh. “This make us even?”

“I got one more left,” Nick told him. “Mark it in your

damn book so your boys know it.”

Paddy was still chuckling when the door closed behind

them.

“One more?” Mikey asked Nick as he led them to the

elevator. Nick was silent, but Kelly wished like hell Mikey

would press him for details so Kelly wouldn’t have to later.

Mikey stopped him in the middle of the hal , standing in

front of him with his hand on Nick’s chest. “You telling me

Paddy owed you a solid? Owed youtwosolids?”

A slow, crooked smile spread across Nick’s face. It was his

only response.

“Jesus fucking Christ, you fucking fucker,” Mikey said

affectionately, and he stepped aside so they could continue on

to the elevator. Kelly punched the button. Mikey pulled Nick

into a hug, squeezing him tightly. “You be careful out there,

huh? You left Boston to save your fucking life and then spent

every fucking day trying to die.”

“Watch your fucking mouth.” Nick patted him on the

back of the head, and then they released each other. “You get

in trouble, you know who to cal .”

“Anybody but you.”

168

“That’s right,” Nick drawled, and stepped into the elevator

with the others. Mikey stood there grinning, his hands in his