Page 127 of Dean

Or maybe he just doesn’t give a fuck about my personal life. He does seem like a man who always gets what he wants.

Maybe when I see him, I’ll speak to him about Nick. Maybe he has some way to scare the shit out of the guy so he’ll leave Avery and me alone.

But Kit assured me he’d keep Avery safe—not that I believed he could, but what other choice did I have—so I threw on a suit that barely still fits me and tried to tie a tie. I only managed to get it around my neck when Avery stepped up and helped me secure it.

“There. A little rumpled, but better than your jeans and t-shirt,” he says.

“Yeah, I guess. Are you sure you’ll be okay here? Fuck, I don’t like leaving you alone.”

“We’ll be fine. Kit says he knows martial arts.”

I glance at Kit who is picking his nose, and I sigh.

“I’d feel better if you came with me.”

“I wasn’t invited. Just go and come right back. You have the cameras now too. I’ll be fine. You can keep an eye on me.”

“All right. Well, call me if anything comes up. Or call the cops.” Avery made a report to the police earlier, but there was really nothing they could do without a suspect. All they could do was document it. That’s all they seem to do these days—paperwork.

“I will,” he leans up and presses a kiss to my mouth, and I hold him against me, not wanting to leave him tonight. Not when everything seems to be going to hell.

Damn Anthony.

There’s really no reason he needs me this urgently. I fucking hate that I feel indebted to him in some way.

Probably because he’s dangerous and I don’t want to be on his bad side.

I curse his name the entire time I drive to Cash’s parents’ house. And when I arrive, I brush a hand through my hair as I stalk through the expansive garden, trying to find Anthony. Fuck, I hate these parties. I know Cash grew up in this lavish lifestyle, but I never did.

I could never wear a suit again and be a happy man.

Unless it was for my wedding. Then I would.

Especially if Avery was the one walking toward me down the aisle.

My gaze moves up, and I see Cash standing in the distance next to Anthony and his parents. He’s wearing an impeccable suit and tie, looking so put-together it makes me feel ridiculous. I’m pretty sure I look like I got dressed in the car.

Cash meets my gaze, his mouth opening and closing in confusion before glancing sideways. My eyes follow, and I see Ben approaching, his hand linked with Ford’s, and everything falls into place. Those thoughts I was having the night I caught Ben at Ford’s house…all those suspicions were correct.

Hell, I fucking knew it.

I’m not fucking crazy.

I actually feel kind of giddy that I was right.

Ben’s gaze flicks to mine and his cheeks pale as he tears his hand away from Ford’s, holding it to his chest as if he’s wounded. I watch as he heaves, and I step forward in a slight panic, all that excitement fading away, when I see that he looks like he’s about to pass out. My gaze moves to Anthony who is observing this, all with a drink in his hand, looking as cool as a cucumber. He moves up beside Cash and says something in his ear before nodding and stepping away.

God, what a dick. Did he set this up? Did he know about this and not tell me? Is that why he asked me to come here?

I don’t fucking know. All I know is that my son looks upset and I want to pull him into my arms and hug him. I want to reassure him it will all be okay, that I’m here no matter what.

I step up to him and place my hand on his trembling shoulder. He looks like he’s about to burst into tears. I want to address it, to lay it all out there. No more hiding. No more secrets.

“Ben. Hey, this has gone on long enough. I think you have something to tell me.”

Ben’s eyes fall to the ground, and he swipes at his eyes before turning and bolting. He’s running, slipping slightly on the grass as his legs carry him farther and farther away. I watch him, surprised my unathletic son can move that fast.

Shit. He’s a speed demon. I didn’t know he was that agile.

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