Page 96 of A Little Naughty

“Yeah.” I look up at him.

“I don’t know.” He reaches out to squeeze the top of my shoulder. “But you’ve shown me over and over that you’re a smart man, Raif. I think when the time comes, you’ll know what to do. Either way, I’ll be here on the other side.”

It’s not the answer I wanted. It’s not cut and dried, do this, don’t do that. I guess it’s about what I expected he’d say.

Glancing over at Jemima, I see her with Britt and Adam, and I know whatever happens, she’ll be okay. They’ll take care of her and Nikki.

“If anything happens, look out for my dad for me.”

“I’ll look out for your dad, but I’ll look out for his son as well.” Leaving his empty tumbler on the table, he slides his hand in his pocket as he starts to go. “My money’s on you, Raif Jones, and I’m rarely wrong.”

CHAPTER25

JEMIMA

For the rest of the evening, I’m haunted by Bill’s Shadow Man, looking for him around every corner or seeing his face in every mask. Raif stays close by me the entire time, and we finally decide he must’ve left. Still, I’m exhausted from watching by the time two o’clock rolls around.

“Congrats, baby sister. I think we have officially launched a new tradition.” Cass hugs me as we walk out the glass doors to the emptying parking lot. “It’s my new favorite. Right up there with Movies in the Park.”

“I agree, darling.” Monay is right behind us with her arm looped through Zenighta’s. “We passed a good time tonight. Mamma Ru would be proud.”

“I could not get enough of that snickerdoodle king cake!” Zenighta’s voice is scratchy, and I expect it’s from singing Creole classics all night with the band. “You have got to give me the recipe.”

“That’s Cass’s recipe.” I fall back to loop my arm around her waist.

The two of them are in sparkling purple, green, and gold bodysuits with their hair flowing all around. Zenighta’s is sleek, straight-as-a-board black while Monay’s is platinum, her signature color.

“I was so nervous giving out that recipe.” Cass cups a hand over her eyes. “It’s Britt’s favorite, and I didn’t want her to think I’d told a family secret.”

“I think the family secret is safe.” I unhook my arm from the queens’ when we reach Alex’s car. They blow kisses and continue in their platforms to their waiting Uber. “It wasn’t as good as yours.”

The guys are right behind us, and while Alex seems easy, making plans about getting together this weekend, Raif’s eyes are on mine. His posture is tense, and I hate that something I did is causing him so much worry.

“See you tomorrow.” I hug my sister then go to where the bike is waiting.

She grins, giving me a wink. “Have a good night, you two.”

They take off, and I hesitate beside the motorcycle. He’s not smiling as he lifts the helmet, carefully placing it on my head.

“Are you mad at me?” My voice is small, and his blue eyes fix on mine.

“What the hell? Why would I be mad at you?”

“If it weren’t for me, we wouldn’t have been on guard all night. We could’ve enjoyed ourselves, maybe slipped into an empty office like you said…”

He fastens the clip under his chin, exhaling a smile. It’s not a full smile, though, and the weight in my stomach grows heavier.

“Let’s get back to the house.”

I climb on behind him, and the entire drive back, I do my best to hold onto him and not my anxiety. Aiden is watching over Nikki, and Britt said to enjoy the night, not to worry.

Britt

I know what it’s like to be a newlywed with a kid in the house. Enjoy.

I’d like to follow her instructions, but I can feel the tension in Raif’s muscles, and it has me on edge as well.

When we reach the cottage, he parks outside the fence. Porkchop greets us at the gate, and Raif holds him back to let me enter the yard. The tulips have faded, and in their place, he planted flowering Carolina jessamine. They spill over the boxes in dozens of happy yellow trumpet-like blooms.

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