CHAPTER 14
Before Lucky registered movement, Bo hurled himself over the SUV’s console, planting his mouth against Lucky’s. He pulled back and rested their foreheads together, palm warm against Lucky’s cheek. “Walter got word about a car matching the description of yours exploding about a minute before Sal… Jimmy called. I was so afraid I’d lost you. I owe him big time for calling and putting my fears to rest.” He studied Lucky as much as possible by the garage lights. “You are okay, right? Please tell me you’re all right.”
Was he? Beaten up, recovering from a close call. Another message, or had the killer meant to take Lucky out this time? If he’d left directly after his match with Jimmy, he’d have been in the car.
Bo eased out of the garage and dodged lookie-loos on the way to less crowded areas, never easing up his death grip on Lucky’s hand. Any tighter, and Lucky might lose another finger.
Bo finally released his hand and pulled into a McDonalds.
What?
“Two cheeseburgers, large fries, vanilla milkshake.”
“I know that’s not for you.” Bo was anti-fast food, except for salads. All cows were safe from him.
Chickens too.
“No, you’ve missed dinner. The way you’re feeling right now, I imagine you need some comfort food.” Bo rolled a shoulder in a half-shrug. “The health of the mind is equally important to the health of the body.”
As much as Lucky loved junk food, he’d rather not have sacrificed his ride in the process of earning a treat. “What about my car?” The words sounded whiny but, damn it, some asshole destroyed his car.
If he dwelled on the car enough, he could ignore the whole him being the target thing. At this rate, he’d never clean up his language in time to prevent Andro from saying choice words to Grandma.
“Don’t think about it now.” Bo rested a hand on Lucky’s shoulder. “We have insurance. I’ll take you to get a rental. I’m not worried about a car. It’s you I’m worried about.”
“What about you? You getting anything to eat?”
Bo pulled up to the pay window and gave Lucky a “you’re kidding, right?” scowl. “I ate at the house. Besides, my stomach’s too tied up in knots to even consider food.”
Lucky ate his cheeseburgers on the way home.
Every bite turned to sand in his mouth.
They arrived at the house in time to watch Salters kiss Charlotte at the door and stroll out to his car. Lucky didn’t watch as he pulled from the driveway.
Bo patted Lucky’s knee. “You’re growling. Stop it. This is becoming a habit.”
Lucky’d bite if given half a chance.
Just not tonight.
Lucky opened the front door and dropped his keys onto the entry table. They fell to the floor. Oh, right. No more table.
Some asshole broke it.
Not like he needed those keys anymore. At least his Camaro’s keys. He’d loved his car. It was paid for. The last thing he needed on top of everything else was a car payment.
He bent to retrieve his keyring and stopped, clutching his back. Not happening. Someone better equipped to bend could get them later.
Feet hit the floor, heading his way. Oh, no! Not an overly-enthusiastic dog! One who only obeyed Ty, and currently sported a cone around his neck.
God, Lucky hurt in places he hadn’t known could hurt.
Charlotte practically leapt over the cone-headed Moose, skidding to a stop in her socked feet and wrapping him in an awkward hug, as her belly beat her to him by a good two seconds. Lucky grabbed the door to keep upright.
“Oh, God, Lucky, are you okay?” She pulled back, gripping his upper arms and assessing him up and down, like he’d seen her do for her kids when they hadn’t made enough of an effort to dress properly.
Of course, Charlotte would worry. Between Bo, Rett, and Jimmy, she’d gotten word. He should’ve called her himself. But… paperwork… statements. “I’m fine, really. I wasn’t nowhere near my car. I was at the gym.” No need telling her the explosion seemed timed with him leaving the gym. When he caught the bastard responsible…