Page 112 of After the Vows

Bargain – impossible to do when you’re the one behind bars

Lucas

Weston stops me outside of the brewery. “You okay?”

I smile, remembering Chloe telling me she loves me. Hearing those words from her will never get old. “I’m good.”

“You sure? Your ex just tried to assault your wife.”

My good mood evaporates. “Don’t remind me.”

He motions to our vehicle. “There’s a very mouthy reminder in our squad car.”

I step toward it but he places a hand on my chest to stop me again. “I’m serious, bro. If you can’t handle this professionally, I’ll have you replaced.”

He’s right. I need to be professional. I inhale a couple of deep breaths. My anger isn’t gone but it’s on a low simmer now and no longer boiling.

“I’m good.”

“I’m trusting you here.”

“All good, bro. Swear it.”

He pats me on the shoulder before leading the way to the squad car. Before we reach it, I can already hear Holly screaming.

“Let me out of here!”

Weston grins. “You leveled up with your second wife.”

“Fuck yeah, I did.”

“The men are falling faster than flies on Smuggler’s Hideaway. First, my best friend falls in love with my little sister. And now my partner falls for the wild child of the island.”

I scowl. “Chloe isn’t a wild child.”

He waggles his eyebrows. “Because you tamed her?”

There is no taming Chloe.

Holly bangs on the window with her cuffs. “Let me out!”

I open the front passenger door and slide into the car. “You’ll get out when we reach the station.”

“Lucas,” she sighs. “I didn’t do anything wrong.”

“This should be fun,” Weston mutters as he switches on the vehicle. “What do you think? Lights and sirens?”

“Lights and sirens?” Holly screeches. “I’m not a criminal! Everyone in town will see me.”

“Not as stupid as she looks,” Weston says.

“I’m not stupid at all! This is police harassment. I’ll have your badge.”

“I’m…”

Weston holds up a hand to stop me. “If you apologize for her, I’ll deck you.”

I chuckle. “Deck me? I’d like to see you try.”

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