Page 90 of Edge

I turned to see Edge halfway up the stairs with Ink following along behind him. He was taking his time, but didn’t seem to be struggling.

“I bet people in their nineties move faster than we do.”

“You’re probably right,” Edge agreed when he finally reached the top.

We pulled into the driveway as the delivery driver was walking back to his car. “Looks like we’re right on time,” Ink said.

By the time everyone was seated and served, I was ready to burst. Thankfully, I wasn’t the only one. “All right. We’re all here. We all have food. Somebody start talking,” Ranger said.

“The Mad Dogs were surprised to see us. Phoenix and Hound started talking. Hound’s vice president, Mange, got pissed when some things Hound told their club didn’t match up with what was being said. Things got heated. Guns were pulled. Then Mange shot and killed Hound. He said Muzzle, Snarl, and Hound had been a problem for a while and they were happy to be rid of them. He said the issues they had with us died with them,” Carbon said.

“Does that include me?” I asked.

“Yes, it does. Phoenix specifically mentioned you, and Mange said you were no longer a concern for them.”

“It’s over?”

Carbon nodded. “It’s over.”

“What about the murder investigation? I was named as a person of interest.”

“Mange said he would take care of that.”

“He what? How?”

“He said they didn’t want people asking questions and upsetting the crooked system they’ve got going on in Fairbanks, so he would make sure Muzzle and Snarl were named as the murderers and your name was cleared.”

I looked down at my plate and struggled to hold back my tears of relief. I could start living my life again without the threat of the Mad Dogs hanging over me. But what did that mean? I had no interest in moving back to Fairbanks. I could stay in Cedar Valley and continue working at the diner when it reopened, or I could look for a job as a phlebotomist.

Edge placed his hand on my thigh and leaned over to whisper, “You okay, baby?”

Swallowing thickly, I exhaled slowly and nodded. “I’m good. It’s just a lot to process.”

After dinner, I moved to the living room, hoping to distract myself with some television before bed. I couldn’t stop thinking about my future, and the uncertainty of it was driving me crazy.

A few minutes later, Irene joined me on the large sectional sofa. “Please tell me you’re planning on watching something ridiculous and trashy because my mind needs a vacation from today.”

“I was going to put onHot in Cleveland. It’s one of my comfort shows, but ridiculous and trashy works for me.”

“Go ahead withHot in Cleveland. I love that show.”

I barely made it past the theme song before I asked, “Have you heard anything else about the diner?”

“Nothing official, but it sounds like the place is going to be a total loss.”

“No,” I gasped. “Oh, Irene, I’m so sorry. What does that mean for you?”

She sighed. “Insurance will cover everything, so that part isn’t a problem. I just don’t know if it’s worth it.”

“Why wouldn’t it be worth it?”

“I’m not as young as I used to be. I was going to have to retire at some point. Maybe now is a good time.”

I was at a loss for words. Irene and the diner had become a huge part of my life, and I couldn’t imagine what my days would be like if she didn’t reopen. The thought of not working with Irene put things into perspective for me. I was free to move on with my life and return to my previous career, but I didn’t want to. I wanted to stay exactly where I was.

“Instead of rebuilding in Cedar Valley, you could move to Croftridge and open a diner here,” Byte suggested.

Irene opened her mouth to respond but closed it without saying anything.