Page 50 of Veiled Vows

“Mmm.” She leans close until there’s a hair’s breadth between our lips. “I guess we’ll find out later.”

“I guess we will.” Resisting the urge to kiss her is like pulling out my own soul, but I manage for now. She called me earlier with a simple invitation for a date, and after not seeing her fortwo days, there’s no way I could say no. “So your ideal date is a”—I lean away and glance past her to the run-down building with several cars and trucks parked outside—“a mechanic?”

Jasmine places one hand on my chest and lightly eases me backward as she leans up. “First, tell me about Alto.”

A curl of disgust immediately warms my gut. “I didn’t confront him directly, but I’ve been keeping a close eye on him. A couple of my loyal guards are also tailing him. From what digging I could do, he’s done a good job covering his tracks. Proving he’s behind your assassination will be tricky.”

“But is it doable?”

I shrug. “Maybe. It would be theperfectthing to kick him down in my father’s eyes, especially after we’re married. Should give me a straight shot to the throne.”

“Hm. Asshole.” Jasmine shakes her head, one hand lifting to play with the end of her brown plait that rests over one shoulder. “Well, I can’t help with that yet, but you can help me with this.”

“Our date?”

She nods and her dazzling eyes lock onto mine, as stunning as the stars up above. “Want to help me kill someone?”

“Color me intrigued.” Resting beside her against the hood of her car, my attention drifts to the building across the street. “Did you get stiffed on your insurance or something?”

“No. You remember the asshole who ran me over? My friend’s ex?”

Just the thought of him is enough to ignite heat across my shoulders. “Yes.” He’d be dead if I had my way, but there were too many witnesses, including the cops. I’ve been waiting for the heat to die, but it seems Jasmine now has her own ideas.

“I moved my friend Catherine to a safe place. That’s actually where I was a couple of days ago before the crash. Anyway, I spent so long assuring her she was safe, and I had men tailingher. But Seth, the asshole, gave my guards the slip because my father pulled all available eyes to look for me while we were…”

“Fucking?” I offer with a smirk.

She nudges me with her shoulder. “Yes. So it’s my fault he found her and hurt her again. Luckily, she called me when he was still breaking down the door, and he fled when he realized I was coming.”

“Is she okay?”

Jasmine nods. “I got there in time to scare the fucker away but this is the last straw. She won’t be safe until he’s dead, and my good graces only give one chance. She might hate me for doing this, but I’m pissed off about him and Alto and my family so…” Jasmine sucks on her upper teeth, briefly flashing her tongue. “I want him dead. So, date night?”

“How can I refuse?” We could be doing something mundane like bowling, but murder for a first date? I’m so here for it.

“You’re good though?” Jasmine pointedly glances at my waist. “Your wounds…”

“Are fine,” I assure her, glancing at the bruise on her forehead concealed by makeup. “I’d say we’re each as fine as the other.”

She doesn’t look like she entirely believes me, but it’s good enough for the moment.

Jasmine takes the lead as we cross the street and head into the mechanics. The place is mostly shrouded in darkness except for a light on in the small office tucked away at the back of the building, almost completely hidden by a pickup truck. Jasmine’s head is held high as she strides in and pulls her handgun from her belt.

“We’re closed!” calls a voice from inside, seemingly alerted by the clack of Jasmine’s heels on the stone floor.

She doesn’t respond and walks closer. Then she kicks down the door with one swift move. As it swings open with a crash, theman inside lurches up from his seat in fright, sending an array of papers scattering down to the floor. His wide eyes narrow upon seeing Jasmine, and there’s an air of arrogance despite facing the gun.

“Oh what a surprise, the bitch sent her attack dog.”

“Seth, I presume?” I enter a moment later, and the confidence on Seth’s face melts away as he looks up at me. I’m a full head and shoulders taller than this scrawny fucker, but that doesn’t make him any less of a threat.

“Who the fuck are you?”

I glance at Jasmine. “I’mherattack dog.”

Seth doesn’t stand a chance against me. He fights like a little rodent when I grab him by the scruff of the neck and force him down against his creaking desk. He kicks out at me, even throws an elbow, but I put an end to that by grabbing his wrist and wrenching his arm so hard up his back that something audibly pop. His swearing turns into yells of pain.

“Not here,” Jasmine decides, sliding her gun back into her holster. “He’s not scared enough.”

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