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“I got them,” I insist.
“Might wanna grab four instead of two. All the kids are here.” Hudson laughs.
I turn and see Blaze and Locke moving toward our little group.
“Gonna need a tray, kid.” Abe O’Donnell lifts his chin in their direction.
“I suppose I am,” I admit.
Pouring the shots, he asks, “No doubt you’ve met the Steel brothers.”
“The older generation or?—”
“Watch it, Hart,” he grumbles.
“No disrespect intended. There’s just a lot of them.”
“OG Steel,” he suggests.
“OG Steel, it is,” I agree.
“Their mother, Momma Jo, you meet her yet?”
“I have not.”
He pushes the tray toward me. “She’d tell you family isn’t just blood; it’s by choice. I see your mother has the same belief.”
“Without a doubt.” I pull my wallet out.
“On me.” He winks then turns to walk away.
I drop a twenty on the bar and call to him, “Thank you, Abe.”
* * *
After basically tucking in “the family,” I take Elle out to do her business, knowing damn well it’s late and Cecilia probably won’t be out.
I glance up and see her bedroom light’s off; otherwise, I would probably be more than thinking about how to scale the tree that leads to her bay window.
From whom knows where, I hear, “She’s awake, watching true crime shows.”
I know it’s Marks, but still. “And you’re out here, trying to scare the shit out of her neighbors?”
“Something like that.” He holds his hand out. “I’ll take the pup if you wanna go inside.”
“You sure about that?” I ask a little—nah, a lot—shocked.
“Are you?” he asks. “About CeCe?”
“That’s a pretty deep question, coming from someone I barely know.”
“Not going to apologize. She’s part of my team.”
“Gotta ask, is it more than?—”
“No.” He holds out his hand. “You want to catch her before you leave tomorrow for Toronto, now’s your chance.”
I hand him the leash. “I appreciate it. Be back.” I give Elle a pat on the head. “Be good, little miss.”
