Proof of Life (The Potentate of Atlanta #4) - Hailey Edwards Page 0,77

exit, leaving Midas and me alone together.

For all of a second.

“You’ve got to be more careful.” Remy bounded into the room. “You’re the face of our company, and it’s not a great look when you’re black and blue.”

“It warms my heart to hear your concern.”

“If I didn’t care, I’d have brought the paperwork you owe me and made you do it while you’re laid up.”

“That would have been cruel.”

“But effective.”

I smiled when she produced a steaming café mocha and thrust it at me.

“There is a favor I need to ask.” She flopped onto the bed with me. “Can I have your apartment?”

“Uh.” I did a double take. “Come again?”

“Your old apartment. Can I have it?” She bristled. “I’ll pay rent and everything, but it’s the only open spot in the whole building. Mostly because it’s not really open. It’s still in your name. So can I have it?”

“You want to move into the Faraday?”

“I need a place of my own, and somebody’s got to watch your back. It’ll be easier for me if I’m only a few floors down.”

“Okay.”

“Okay you agree with me, or okay I can have your apartment?”

“Okay to both.” I took a sip and sighed happily. “I don’t need two apartments.”

Midas and I were in a good place, a great place, actually, and I was ready to let that bit of my past go.

“Excellent.” She clapped her hands. “Then I’ll let you get back to your scheming.”

Scheming was more of a Remy thing, but her business plans—which bred like rabbits in the dark corners of her mind—kept her too busy to get in much trouble these days, for which I was grateful. The apartment would be yet another project, and Atlanta was always a bit safer with her mind occupied and her car off the roads.

“Thanks.”

Giving Bishop a high-five as she passed him, he took the opening and joined us.

“Hey, kid.” He sat on the bed. “Why are you still lazing about? I thought your ankle was fixed.”

A low sound poured into the room and lifted the fine hairs down my nape. “Midas.”

“He. Blew. You. Up.”

“This again?” Bishop threw his hands up in frustration. “She told me to do it.”

Wincing at Midas’s scowl, I raised a finger. “I did tell him to do it.”

Midas dripped beads of red magic onto the floor. “He also tranquilized you.”

“For her own protection,” Bishop argued, “you lunkhead.”

“He’s not wrong,” I said quietly, whispered really. “I’ve been tranqed before and probably will be again.”

Turning away from the bed, Midas stared through the glass door into the now-empty hall.

Intellectually, I knew he wasn’t turning his back on me. He was tuning out Bishop, and the reminder of how fast things could and did spin out of his control. He was fighting against his instincts to give me room to breathe, but it was hard for him to suppress the urge to coddle and protect me from every thorn destined for my side. But it required conscious effort not to cringe from his temper, when he would never hurt me.

Thanks, Mom.

“Linus performs a necessary function for Hadley, and I do too. Neither of us wants to hurt her, but we’re both responsible for doing whatever it takes to de-escalate any behavior that might cost her her life. I get it’s hard for you. Guess what? It’s hard for us too. She’s our friend, and we care about her. It’s not fun to always have the fear of what might happen if she ever slips wedged into the back of your mind like a splinter. Actually, it fucking sucks.”

“I’m sorry, Bish.” I covered his hand with mine. “You shouldn’t have to police me.”

“Kid, you’re not listening.” He layered his other hand on top of mine. “You’re my friend, and I care what happens to you. That’s why I do it. I’m not worried about what havoc you unleash. I’m worried about the consequences to you if your control slips.” He shrugged. “I’m selfish like that.”

“You’re with the OPA,” I reminded him. “You’re supposed to protect the city first and always.”

“Guess what?” He chucked me on the chin. “Protecting its protector accomplishes that very goal.”

“Does Linus know you’ve developed a rebellious streak?”

“Who do you think inspired it?” He chuckled. “You have to believe in something, or it’s all for nothing. I believe in you. You’re the good I want to see in the world. You’re not perfect, and you don’t try to be. You do the best you can, no matter what it costs you, and