Page 66 of Rescued Dreams

Ridge did the same because they’d stick out if they didn’t actually drink what they’d bought.

An hour later, a group of guys came in the front door. Friends all chatting and joking around, each of them the kind of kid who’d be found behind the sports storage sheds at school, smoking weed and trying to convince girls to skip class.

Four or five of them, and Elam was in the center. Like a man recently released from prison with a new lease on life.

One of Elam’s friends collided with a guy on the way to the pool table. The guy spun around, about to give him what for. He spotted who it was in the center of the group and changed his mind.

Kane muttered, “Now, isn’t that interesting.”

“Maybe he’s hiring and you can get in the group. Go undercover.”

Kane said, “Why don’t you?”

“Because I’m not the superhero.”

Kane’s attention shifted from the men across the room back to Ridge.

Ridge could see them in the mirrors behind the bar, shoving people off a pool table and taking over the game.

His cousin said, “What’s that?”

“I’m not ex-military.” Ridge shrugged. “I’m not some bigshot, trained, kill-you-with-my-thumb guy. Even your fiancée is scarier than I am.”

Kane’s lips twitched around the top of the bottle as he drank.

“I need to keep the twins safe so they can make poor choices and never replace the toilet roll in the bathroom because they know they’re loved no matter what. No conditions.”

“You’re doing an amazing job.”

“I’m not the undercover guy or the save-the-world guy like you are.”

“That isn’t a bad thing. Knowing who you aren’t can be as powerful as knowing who you are.” Kane tapped the top of his bottle against Ridge’s. “You’re a humble guy living life, making his community a better place. People are alive because of you.”

He could say the same about Kane, but that happened on a much larger scale. Or it had, until he’d been cut loose into retirement. Kane needed a job in civilian life now. At least until next year’s fire season started.

“You don’t need to be something you aren’t. That’s not the guy Amelia is into.”

Ridge took a drink, one eye on the glass mirror. “They’re settling into their game.”

“Then it’s time to make our approach.” Kane slid off the stool, taking his drink with him.

Ridge left cash on the bar and followed his cousin, hanging back while Kane approached the crew that included Amelia’s brother.

Elam had his head down, his concentration on his shot.

Right before he hit the ball Kane said, “You probably didn’t play much pool in prison.”

Elam broke off from the shot and strode over, holding the pool cue by his shoulder. All of his guys shifted. He waved them back and stopped in front of Kane. “You think you can beat me? Otherwise, why mouth off when it only ends in a world of hurt for you?”

“We could put a wager on a game.”

Elam’s lips curled up in a sneer. “I’m gonna enjoy taking your money.”

“I don’t want money if I win,” Kane said. “I want information.”

Ridge kept part of his attention on Elam’s friends, just in case this went sideways. Who knew if the guy would actually go through with what he’d said. Ridge didn’t trust any of these guys. One of them could be the person who’d entered the training house and nearly killed Amelia.

“Let me guess.” Elam lifted his chin. “You wanna know about my sister.”