“Wouldn’t be the first time politics outweighed justice,” Bishop added.

“But then again, your pop wouldn’t have been the first cop wanting to avoid prison bad enough to do something stupid and crazy.”

I wanted to put my fist through Rix’s face for suggesting it, but I knew he had a point. “Either way, I’m not letting this go.”

“Didn’t figure you were, but you might not like what you find.”

I crossed my arms over my chest, knowing that he was right. “I owe it to my family to find the truth.”

The creak of a door opening shut me up, but when Con strolled up the back hallway and around the corner, the stiffness in my spine faded.

“Never thought I’d say this to a cop, but I missed seeing your face around here, Hennessy. Really sorry about your loss.” The sympathy on his face was genuine.

I didn’t have to point out that I wasn’t a cop any longer. Everyone here knew.

“Thanks. Appreciate it.”

“If you need a throwaway to take care of business, I have a guy that could hook you up,” Con said.

Life without a badge never ceased to amaze me. What had always seemed so black and white before was all sorts of gray now. And how did I know this? Because I already had an unregistered pistol I could toss if I needed to.

Rix scowled at him. “Why would you say that shit in front of me? I know I was deep cover for a long fucking time, but I’m still a cop. You keep that shit to yourself until I get out of here.”

Con looked sideways at Rix. “You want that tat finished? Then you’ll shut the hell up and not comment on what I say in my own damn shop.”

The two men eyed each other, the mutual respect obvious.

“Where’s Delilah when we need her to tell you to just get your dicks out and compare?” Bishop said with a laugh.

Con looked around. “Where the hell is Delilah?”

“No clue. Probably getting her cards read. She doesn’t have an appointment until three.”

“Maybe her reading will tell her to get her ass back to work,” Con said. “I’m grabbing last night’s deposit and I’m out of here. Got kids to prep for at the gym.”

It still amazed me that Con, the guy who didn’t used to care about anything but avenging his parents’ murder, had stuck with his pet project and made it into something that impacted hundreds of kids’ lives. It probably helped that his woman was at his side every step of the way.

“Good seeing you, Con.”

He clapped me on the shoulder. “You too. If you need anything, we’re here for you. You’ve done me more than one solid, and I owe you. Just say the word.”

I tucked that offer away, not about to turn it down. “Thanks.”

“Don’t be a stranger. If you decide to bail on NOLA again, at least let us know so we can throw you a going-away party. The girls love that shit. Any reason for a party, right?” Then he disappeared down the back hallway.

After a few more minutes of me asking Rix questions that he couldn’t or wouldn’t answer about my dad’s case, I headed for the front door. Before I could reach it, a woman entered with a familiar cloud of black hair swirled around her shoulders.

Valentina Noble.

Wait, scratch that. Valentina Hendrix.

“I thought you were working this afternoon, not getting a tattoo?” she said as soon as she walked in the door, completely blind to anyone but Rix.

One more reason I knew she picked the right guy—he was all she saw. It hadn’t taken me long to realize things had worked out the way they were meant to. I was glad my feelings for her didn’t go any further. Seeing her so happy, it was one thing I could be proud of—that I hadn’t tried to come between her and Rix when it was clear that they were strangely right for each other.

“Who told you?” Rix asked.

“Who do you think?”

“Eden,” both Rix and Bishop said at the same time.

Rix shot Bishop a look. “You told your girl I was coming?”

The bearded guy shrugged. “Might’ve mentioned it.”

“Duchess, you’re gonna turn around and walk your ass back to your gallery and pretend you never saw me here.”

Valentina crossed her arms over her chest. “Oh, really? Because that’s not at all what I’m planning.”

Bishop lifted the tattoo machine away from Rix’s skin and slid his stool back so the man could lever out of his chair and stalk toward his wife.

“Yeah, really. Because you don’t want to ruin my surprise.”

Valentina’s eyes went soft as she looked at him, and there wasn’t a hint of envy running through my veins. No, there was something else entirely, and it didn’t have anything to do with her. It was all wrapped up in wanting a certain redhead to look at me the way she used to.

It wasn’t until Rix stopped two feet away from me that Valentina noticed me standing there.

“Oh my God, Rhett. I’m so sorry. I didn’t see—”

Rix wrapped his other arm around her shoulders. “Don’t bust the man’s ego, duchess. He already lost the most incredible woman to walk the earth.”

Her eyebrows shot up. “Stop it. That’s not very nice.”

“Never said I was nice. You knew that.”

Valentina rolled her eyes. “Sorry, Rhett. I wish I could’ve been at the funeral, but—”

“It’s fine.” I stopped her before she could say any more.

She reached out a hand and laid it on mine, squeezing it tight. “Know that we’ve all been thinking about you. If there’s anything we can do at all . . .”

“Appreciate it. I better get going.”

When Valentina released her grip on my hand, Rix shook it next. “Take it easy. I’ll let you know if I hear anything I can pass along. Don’t do anything stupid in the meantime.”

“I’m not making any promises.”

My day looked like it was heading straight for the crap hole, but on my way to the car, I caught sight of Heath holding the door of one of my favorite oyster restaurants open for his dad. He must have seen me before I saw him, because he was already waving me down.

“Hey! You eat?”

I shook my head.

“Then come on. I’m buying.”

Maybe today was looking up. I could tell him that I wanted to see where things could go between Ari and me, and the last roadblock stopping me from making a real move would be gone.