Page 66 of Mr. Kelly

Kinnie gives us a tight smile. “It’s complicated. Why are you in a tux, and why are you calling?”

Kinnie has officially dropped into business mode. “I’m getting married in less than an hour.”

The watts return to her smile. “Congratulations. Should I be offended that I wasn’t invited?”

“No. I didn’t invite anyone.”

It’s true. He had the planner arrange the food, decorations, and outfits, but outside of River, Kennedy, and me, the rest of the attendees are his men. Andrea doesn’t really have friends, and Delaney’s parents are deceased. Andrea is keeping the rest of the Tesio family in the dark about his nuptials until he’s ready to share, and my parents are somewhere in the middle of the ocean by now for one of their excursions.

She nods. “That tracks. Now tell me about the sick sonofabitch I’ll have the pleasure of exposing to the world.”

“He’s a senator,” Andrea informs her.

Kinnie’s smile is back to full capacity. “Even better.”

Chapter Thirty-Five

THEODORE

Kinnie Rae Quinnstruts in on stilettos, which elongate her leg that is exposed by high split in her floor-length, body-contouring formal gown. Each step makes the diamonds on her shoes sparkle as she dedicates herself to her model walk. She's a vision in rose gold. Her brilliant smile belies how dangerous she is to those on her shit list. I would have never pegged her as a killer in any capacity. Her curls were wild when she arrived, but they have been tamed, twisted, and pinned up into an event-worthy hairstyle.

“You look beautiful,” I confess as I hold up the last piece of her outfit, a multi-million-dollar diamond necklace.

She does an excited squeal and turns to give me her neck. Her fingers toy with the necklace once it’s in place.

“Oh, Huxley,” she whispers. “This is what it’s like to be a rich man’s woman.”

Huxley Quinn frowns at his wife as she tucks her arm into mine. “Kinnie Rae Rogers-Quinn,” he growls. “Don’t start shit in front of company.”

His jaw ticks as he looks to where our arms are locked as he approaches. He grabs his wife by the throat and gives her a rough kiss.

Kinnie smiles when he lets go and licks her lips like she’s trying to savor the taste of him. In the little time I’ve known them, I can tell they’re a wild couple.

River appears, pregnant and glowing, as she checks out Kinnie’s outfit.

“Wow, you two look so good.” Her eyes linger on me, feeding me every dirty thought.

“Behave, Mr. Kelly.”

I let Kinnie go for a moment to hug my wife. “Of course, Mrs. Kelly.” After another sweet kiss, I pull back

River and Kinnie had hit it off from the moment Kinnie arrived. They gushed over each other’s curls since they’re completely different types. Delaney had joined the girl talk for a bit, but then we had to get to business.

It took a moment for Huxley to relax around Andrea and me. It wasn’t an expectation from us; we can tell that he’s closed off and doesn’t trust easily. It’s something we fully understand. As the day went on, he started to offer more than grunts as responses. Now, we’re preparing to leave for Senator Arnold Camper’s 50th birthday gala.

To keep a low profile, Andrea is not going. I’m going with Kinnie as my date. Hux sulked as Kinnie plotted out the event with Andrea, but we needed him behind the computer. I’d be more than happy not to go because I’m still not convinced that I wouldn’t kill him my way once I saw him.

Kinnie’s play seems very simple and quick. Mingle, set him up, and be home by the time he dies. Since Kinnie and I are both married and therefore have our own rings, it won't take much to be accepted as a couple.

Kinnie, Hux, and I leave Andrea’s complex and head to the private jet. It's only an hour flight. Hux will pose as our driver but be his hacker best when we arrive. She and Hux reviewedhis medical records again, to make sure she'll trigger the right reaction to kill him.

It’s interesting to hear them create such interesting and detailed plots. For Andrea and me, it was simple; kill and hide the bodies. This is a prime example why I’m just a prop in this plan.

“Our good senator has a newfound love for herbal supplements since he’s trying to adapt a more holistic lifestyle since he had a near death experience,” Kinnie informs me, but she looks as if she just considered something. “Today is his actual birthday. It’s kind of poetic.”

“What is?” I ask, curious at how her mind works.

“He’s going out the same day he came into the world. Symmetry.”

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