Page 47 of Straight, No Chaser
"That's all I can ask."
I let him make it inside before I pull out my phone. Confirming my men are discrete in their surveillance of us and her house. I’ve somehow been fucking lucky enough to make it past this hurdle with her family, and I can’t afford to create any more problems with questions about the need for security while we’re here. Or especially after I’m gone.
* * *
Molly waves to Eli, his smile brighter than the neon lights blinking above the miniature roller coaster he’s buckled into. Poor kid’s getting the hell beat out of him on the rickety ride, but he’s oblivious to the jostling, bravely holding one arm in the air while the other wraps around the safety bar for dear life.
She curls tighter against me, the flowery scent of her shampoo engulfing me as I breathe deeper. Luxuriating in her gentle touch that I’ve been able to enjoy all to myself for the last few minutes.
“I’m so glad he’s having fun.”
“Me too, angel.” I kiss the top of her head. “What about you? Are you having a good time?”
“Yes, it’s been perfect.”
I fucking love the wistfulness of her tone. More relaxed and carefree than I expected with her returning home and facing the demons from her past. But every old friend, or former in some bitchy cases, has been friendly. The passage of time, and Hunter’s subsequent crimes proving his guilt, seem to have lessened the turmoil generated by Molly’s accusations. “Good.”
Eli’s turn comes to an end, and he hops out of his cart, racing to us. His face as red as his shirt, remnants of his snow cone and cotton candy lingering on his olive skin. Kurt's going to fucking flip from his sticky ass soiling the backseat.
“Can I go again? Please? Please? Please?”
“I guess so, but first?”
Already racing back to the line before I get the words out. “When the fuck did ‘I guess so’ turn into yes?”
Her sweet giggle ruffles my collar. I’m turning into such a soft ass neither one of them is afraid of me.
“Molly?”
My grip tightens around her waist from the male voice behind us, while my other hand instinctively reaches for my gun. I twist around, shoving her behind me but she bolts out, a giant smile lighting up her face.
“Sean!”
She races into his open arms, lifting off the ground from his bear hug. All the gratitude I had toward this guy for saving my girl evaporates with his face in her neck. Holding her too close. Squeezing her too tight.
After fucking forever, he releases her, giving me a better glimpse of his uniform. Not a rent-a-cop.
A fucking state trooper.
Of course he is. God damn son of a bitch.
“It’s so good to see you! I wasn’t sure if you’d be here or not.”
He brushes down the wrinkles marring his crisp shirt. “I’m officially on duty, but when I saw you I had to stop by to say hello.”
“I’m so glad you did.”
I’m fucking not. Like a fucking idiot Neanderthal, I grab her hand. Reminding her I’m there. And showing him who the fuck she belongs to. It ain’t you motherfucker. She flashes me her sweetest smile and tugs me closer.
"Sean, this is my fiance, Luciano Ellison."
Wariness as strong as mine crosses his face before he shuts down his suspicious demeanor. Morphing into a neutral expression as he pumps my hand. Instant and absolute hatred between us at the mutual realization we're both fucking crazy in love with her. “Nice to meet you, Sean.”
Lie.
“Same here.”
Now his turn to fucking lie.
