Page 113 of Violent Little Thing

Chris had left in a body bag, and all the Dixie Wardens had converged on the place like they’d been waiting for just this instance.

At one point so many men had been in the house that I’d started making a big pot of coffee and started to cook.

Now, all of them were sitting in various places throughout the house eating bowls of chili and drinking coffee.

Oh, and Court looked a hell of a lot happier now that he didn’t have a psychopath ready to steal me away at any second.

I hadn’t ever been worried, though.

I knew without a shadow of a doubt that Court would keep me safe.

One by one, each man finished off their chili and washed their bowls in the sink.

Eventually, the only ones that were left after their dinner was Gentry—who looked way better than he had the last time I’d seen him—and Black.

Black’s face looked exhausted.

His beard wasn’t as well manicured as it usually was, and he had deep, dark circles underneath his eyes.

I got to his side and did nothing that I usually do.

I hugged him, squeezing him as tight as I could.

He froze for a second, then wrapped his arms around me and squeezed.

Not too tight, but tight enough to let me know that the hug was much appreciated.

“So,” I said to him. “How’s the love triangle going?”

He eyed me as I pulled away. “What love triangle?”

“The one between you, Jessamy, and Dempsey.”

He winced. “I’m not…”

“Not yet.” I nudged him and let him go. “Want a refill?”

He handed me the cup. “I’ll be here for a while yet. The crime scene techs need to finish up. I’ll leave when they’re done.”

“Do I need to get some bail money ready?” I asked.

“For yourself?” he teased.

I winced. “No. Is that still a problem?”

“Smoothed out,” Gentry said. “After the wreck, you served your time in the hospital bed. You were released the next morning.”

“Huh.” I laughed. “Why didn’t I know that?”

They shrugged.

“I did,” Court said. “But it wasn’t worth talking about when you were crying about how bad your leg hurt. Then I forgot.”

I smiled at him. “That doctor was a bald-faced liar. He said that the narcotics would be enough…”

“Bastard.” Gentry smiled.

I got everyone a refill, then snuggled up against Court’s side.