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A different Raccoon had fallen off his barstool. He quickly jumped up, his head snapping their way. “I didn’t break it!” he called out, trying to push the barstool upright. “I just slipped.”

Billie Ann sighed, shaking her head as she headed that way, but stopped and looked back at Rafe. “I’m more worried about them than I am the Crows.”

“I heard that!” the Raccoon shouted.

“Good!” Billie Ann called back as she continued toward them. “You break more stuff in this bar than anyone.”

Vin chuckled, but the sound faded as he watched Rafe’s attention go right back to Billie Ann. There was no mistaking what she meant to him. Vin had known Rafe a long damn time and had never seen him look at anyone the way he looked at her.

And suddenly, a lot of things started making sense.

When Rafe had left Mexico, Vin hadn’t understood it, but he hadn’t tried to stop him. He’d figured Rafe would realize he’d made a mistake and eventually come back. Hell, they’d worked side by side for years, trusted each other with their lives, and then one day Rafe was just...done.

Now, sitting here watching him with Billie Ann, Vin finally understood.

“You’re not coming back, are you?” Vin asked, his tone serious.

Rafe looked at him, one eyebrow cocked.

“To Mexico,” Vin added, even though they both knew exactly what he meant.

For a moment, neither of them said anything.

“No,” Rafe finally replied.

Vin nodded slowly, staring down into his empty glass. He’d known the answer before asking the question, but hearing Rafe say it still hit harder than he expected.

“Yeah.” Vin cleared his throat before that shit got too deep. “Figured.”

Rafe studied him. “You good?”

“Do I look like I need a hug?” Vin gave him a sideways glance.

“Fuck no.”

“Good answer.” Vin nodded toward Billie Ann. “Wouldn’t want to embarrass you in front of your Mate when I kicked your ass for putting those puny arms around me.”

Rafe barked out a laugh. “You’ve had too much to drink if you think you could ever kick my ass.”

Still laughing, Rafe walked away, heading toward Billie Ann.

Vin watched him go, a grin still on his face. He was happy for his friend. Hell, seeing Rafe like this, he couldn’t be anything but happy for him. Still sucked knowing the bastard wasn’t coming back.

And Vin was going to miss him more than he’d ever fucking admit.

CHAPTER 3

Misty was actually enjoying talking to her newfound friend, Bruce. He was dramatic, funny and had absolutely no filter. What surprised her most, though, was that he actually listened. The men who had been in her life never listened to a damn thing she had to say. Not that Bruce was technically a man. No, he was a cat, but he was male, so that was close enough. She grinned at the thought.

“So, your stepbrother pretty much sold you to Jack Crow.” Bruce stared out into the woods, his tail twitching behind him.

“Not pretty much.” Misty twirled a twig between her fingers. “He did.”

Bruce’s head whipped around. “How in the hell is that even legal? That’s some human trafficking shit.”

“Yeah, well, Crows have their own rules.” Misty tossed the twig aside. “Most female Crows are just something the males barter with when it benefits them.”

“That’s fucked up.” Bruce mumbled, then added. “I thought it was just Jack Crow who was an asshole, but it seems like all Crows are assholes. No offense.”