Batman shrugs when I ask him about the house. It's a good investment. It's worth a lot more than I paid, to be honest. I underbid heavily and now it's mine.
I am pleased for him but also confused. We've lived here for almost four years. Why now?
I needed to be out of the city. I'm getting old, Bridget. And you need a few more allies with power, I think. He shrugs. He's never egotistical about his influence but he trusts it.
Forty-five isn't old.
Sometimes it is. My bullshit tolerance is down. I want to have peace and quiet and be left alone.
So you came here?
Yes. Your noise is sweet. It sounds good. There's a family dynamic here. The guys are my friends. I think I'll settle in. I'm too busy to join in much but I'd like to be around more.
Are you-
I don't mean I'm going to make a grab for you, if that's what you're worried about. I don't think your affection for me is that strong and while I would like to have a companion at this point I think just having you and the rest nearby fits the bill.
What changed?
You aren't interested. I think if I had made a move earlier you might have considered me. Back when you were twenty-two. But I was too busy. We've had some fun though, haven't we?
He's trying so hard to make up for Cole. I let him off the hook so easily. Yeah, we did.
Good.
So you're just going to be around?
I'll be Caleb's conscience.
That's a tall order. A man like that doesn't have a conscience.
He does, Bridget, he just rarely invokes it.
You're defending him?
Knowing what he fights against, yes.
