Page 37 of Before We Say I Do

Expletives flew from his lips. "Valentine!"

"I didn't touch him."

Manning blew out a deep breath.

"It was me," Mr. Jones said.

"That doesn't make it any better."

"Dexter won't say a thing because he needs help and no one to get it from but us, isn't that right, Dex?"

Dexter nodded. "That's right."

Kyle pointed toward Dexter but spoke to Manning.

"See, he promised."

Manning rolled his eyes and went to Dexter.

"Get up."

He reached down and helped Dexter to his feet.

"Thank you," Dexter said to them both, "you won't regret it. And…I'm sorry. I really am, please forgive me."

"Take him," Kyle said.

Manning shoved Dexter out of the room, leaving the two men inside with the door open, waiting for their exit.

Kyle looked at Mr. Jones. "Are you okay?"

Mr. Jones stretched his hand, then fisted it. "I think I broke my hand on his face.”

Kyle tried not to laugh, but the guffaw spilled from his gut before he could hold it.

Mr. Jones smirked, then chuckled and shook his head. "What a day." The laughter died down. "Did I ruin yours and London's wedding?"

Kyle grew serious. "I wouldn't say you ruined anything, just pushed the time back. I needed to make sure you got the answers you need because London needs her father to be healthy and in good spirits when he walks her down the aisle.”

Mr. Jones smiled. "You're right, and I'm sorry. I was so stuck in my head. I couldn't understand for the life of me how I could overlook his malice for so long."

"Now, you know. Though, I feel you always knew but needed to hear it from him."

"I always knew, but I didn't put two and two together until he said it."

Kyle nodded. "Understandable."

"What time is the wedding?"

"Midnight, tomorrow night."

"Midnight?"

"I couldn't go another day without her as Mrs. Valentine. Consider me selfish too."

Mr. Jones chuckled. "It's a good kind of selfish. I know you'll keep her safe, so I'm good with that."

"You can bet my life on it."

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