Page 93 of Dagger

Ned thought over my words. “Really?” she challenged. “You’re not good for John? For Sophie, Belle, and Atlas? Sunny thinks you’re good for her, because if it wasn’t for you, she may have been seriously injured.” She squeezed my hand. “Why can’t you see what we see?”

“Adele said the same thing yesterday,” I whispered.

“We can’t both be wrong.” Ned cocked her head. “Have you thought about getting counseling? Kit swears by it, and if anyone knows it’s beneficial, it’s him. When we saw each other again after all those years at Sophie’s wedding, he was riddled with PTSD. I see a little of it in you.”

My stomach clenched. “You think I have PTSD?”

“I don’t know,” she admitted. “I’m not a psychologist, but how could you not be affected by everything you’ve been through?” She leaned toward me. “They ripped your baby from you and used her to keep you compliant. Your husband did things to you that I can’t imagine. I’m shocked you haven’t had a breakdown by now. I would have.”

I stared at her, thinking over the words still hanging in the air.

Do I have PTSD?

I’d suffered with depression and anxiety for years, but the fog seemed to have lifted since I’d been at the Speed Demons’ compound because I’d found Sophie.

I always felt tired and sometimes over-emotional but still generally okay.

The door opened suddenly, and Sophie’s voice called, “The bouquet’s arrived. It’s gorgeous.”

“We’ll talk later,” Kennedy murmured before turning to greet Sophie and exclaiming, “Hey!”

Sophie approached us, her eyes roving over Kennedy. “Oh, Ned,” she cried. “You look stunning.”

Footsteps sounded from the corridor, and Layla appeared at the door. “You look sexy,” she yelled excitedly.

Cara followed behind her. “She’s right. If I swung that way, I’d be all over you like a rash.”

Kennedy popped a hip. “If I swung that way, I’d let you.”

Sophie giggled.

“Where are the babies?” Kennedy asked, turning back to the mirror and smoothing down her dress.

“With Iris and Sera, of course,” Layla replied. “Rissy’s like Mary Poppins. Nothing gets to her.”

“Yeah,” Cara muttered. “Not even my son of Satan.”

I laughed, trying to shrug off the heaviness of the conversation I’d just had with Kennedy.

Weddings were supposed to be happy occasions, especially since Kit and Ned had such a heartbreaking past. I was determined not to bring the mood down. There’d be plenty of time to delve deeper into the aftereffects of what my ex-husband had done to me, but today, we needed good vibes only.

“Duchess,” Kennedy murmured, her gaze sweeping down my outfit. “You look hot in red.”

I studied my red, silky dress, taking in the strap that tied it all together in a small bow over my left shoulder. I loved how it skated over my growing curves without being too tight.

My gaze slid to Kennedy. “Are you sure I’m not too old for it?”

“Jesus, no,” she insisted. “You look amazing, and thanks for helping me get ready. My mom isn’t in my life, so you filling that role means a lot.”

My heart swelled. “Oh, Kennedy. I’m honored.”

“Me too,” she replied as a loud knock came from the door.

“That’ll be John,” she breathed, her eyes darting around nervously. “Are you sure my dress is okay?”

“Babe,” Cara said indulgently. “It’s white, tight, and your tits are spilling over the top. It’s slutty as fuck, and you look like a dream, a wet one at that. It’s perfect, especially for a biker wedding.”

Kennedy grinned. “Good. That’s exactly the look I was going for.”

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