Page 56 of No Second Chances

It is the first real moment that we have together, in the quiet, since we found out about the wedding. We’ve been so busy helping everyone else that I forgot how much I need him. Him and quiet.

“I don’t want to stay for the reception.” I lower my voice so no one else can hear.

He kisses my forehead. “Me either. Wanna get some fresh tacos that aren’t on the floorboard of my truck and go home for a movie?”

“Fuck, yes.”

He laughs. “Let me handle this.” And he kisses me soundly on the lips.

“Kennedy and I are leaving after the first dance.”

Everyone else is quiet while they process his announcement.

“What?” Cain’s eyes go wide for a second. “That’s an option?”

Linc shrugs, looking at Parker and Remy. “We’re leaving as soon as it’s done. I don’t care if it’s allowed or not.”

The music starts, and the bride and groom are introduced for the first time.

Linc spins me around the dance floor, and then he buys tacos and takes me home.

Just like he promised.

25

LINC

“Don’t wake me up, or I’m going to drive a spork into your eye.” Kennedy groans and rolls over, falling back asleep almost instantly.

In the aftermath of Remy and Parker’s wedding, there is only so much anyone can expect of her. Kennedy stepped up in a big way, helping them around her work schedule to the point I almost didn’t see her for a month. I only knew she slept in bed with me because I had her warm body against mine when I woke up every morning until she got up for work.

After pressing a quick kiss to her forehead, I leave for work, already planning something special for her. I just need to figure out exactly what the perfect gift will be.

In the parking lot at work, I see Remy and Dom walking in. “Hey, what are you doing here?”

They exchange a serious look and then nod toward the building. “Let’s go. You’ll find out when we get inside.”

“What’s going on?” My first thought is that something happened to Kennedy, but she is safe. She is asleep in my bed. My mind goes to Emma next, but if it is her, someone would have called me first.

Remy nods to Dom, silently telling him to go on without us. I cross my arms, which is difficult around my duffel bag, and wait for him to tell me what the hell is going on.

“Mallory Mitchells was found dead late last night.”

His words take the wind out of my sails.

“Royal.” It isn’t a question. We know exactly who did it. Hell, Amie and I had been the ones to respond to the call when Royal beat her.

“Yeah.” He steps a little closer, lowering his voice. “Dom caught the call last night. Here’s the thing, though. Royal wasn’t there. He has five people as his alibi. He says he was drinking away his heartbreak over the fact that he caught her cheating… with you.”

My stomach drops out. “What? That’s bullshit.”

Remy turns and starts walking toward the building. “Let’s go. Chief’s gonna want us there for this.”

Bile, sick and acidic, rises in my throat, making it impossible to breathe, let alone think. Never mind the fact that I’d never cheat on Kennedy, even with a gun against my head. But the idea that I’d cheat with the woman who constantly worked with Royal to hurt her, the woman who took her place as Royal’s punching bag, that is even worse.

“You know I’d never do that to Kennedy.” I have to practically shout across the parking lot at that point, and I rush to rush to catch up as he walks up the stairs and through the glass doors.

“I know you wouldn’t. You’re not a fuckin’ idiot. Plus, it’s not like your alibi is gonna be hard to confirm. You’ve got the same cameras at your house that I have at mine. I think Royal’s just trying to buy himself time.”

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