Page 83 of Accepted Precedent
“Ileah’s right. It could be any number of people,” Jaclyn agrees. “Chris had enemies, and I’ve been in the news a lot recently. They could’ve followed us here, and we didn’t notice.”
“Hey, ladies,” I interrupt cautiously as I walk into the kitchen. I can’t take my eyes off Kristin as I ask, “Everyone all right?”
She pins me with a glare as I set everything on the counter. “Everyone except my sister. You actually brought it?”
“This?” I hold up the jar labeledCin-dough-rella.“Yeah, she asked me to.” Kristin’s expression softens. “Finn told me she ran off. Do you have any idea who the guy was at the restaurant?”
“He was sitting next to a woman I recognized, but I didn’t think much of it,” Ileah offers. “Finn said he’s trying to check on the camera footage for us. I… I’m sorry I didn’t take it more seriously.”
“It’s not your fault,” Jaclyn insists, resting her hand on Ileah’s shoulder.
“It’s mine—I should’ve known better. If anything happens to my sister, Mickey will?—”
“Not lay a single finger on you,” I cut in. “I won’t let him.”
Ileah barks out a laugh. “Finn orchestrated the murder of my husband. You think Mickey won’t make sure Kristin mysteriously disappears? Be for real, Andy. I know you love him, but the Gallaghers are dangerous. It’s not Kristin’s fault—or any of ours—that we didn’t alert Mickey about the weird guy. That doesn’t change the fact that he’ll act on instinct like a damn wolf.”
Kristin’s phone chimes and she snatches it from the counter. “It’s from a Kristina Dawson. She sent me a link to the footage.”
Ileah and I glance over Kristin’s shoulder. Being this close is a huge mistake. She smells like roses mixed with a trace of honey, making me want to run my tongue along her pulse point, to see if she’s as sweet as she smells.
Jaclyn peers over Kristin’s other shoulder and gasps, pointing at a woman sitting at the bar. “Lee, is that who you said looked familiar?”
“Yes! Do you recognize her?”
“She does look familiar,” I admit, squinting for a better look.
“Fuck!” Kristin groans, zooming in. “That woman was in the meeting we had with the investors.”
“That’s Lisa Johnson,” Jaclyn adds. “She was my wedding planner who started working as Chris’ aide.”
“Fuck,” Ileah groans. “That’s the woman who convinced you that lavender was the best choice for the wedding?”
“Actually, that was my mom and Mrs. Blake. But, yes, she was my wedding planner. The night of the gala, she told me she got hired on as Chris’ assistant. I haven’t heard from her since. Maybe Al—Chrishas?”
“Heard from who?” Alex asks from behind, making us all jump.
“How did you get in here?”
“The security gate was open.” His brows pinch. “I thought we were supposed to be keeping everyone safe.”
“Shit. Finn must’ve forgotten to close it when he left.” I take a step away from Kristin, needing distance without drawing attention. “One of us should double-check that no one tried to enter.”
“Why? What’s going on?”
Jaclyn tucks into his side and his posture relaxes. “You remember Lisa. She was at the restaurant where the strange guy told Evie he was there to pick her up.”
“Fuck, I hate that woman,” he groans. “Lisa figured out that I’m not my brother, but Mickey assured me he’d handle it. I doubt she’s behind this—she may be power hungry, but she’s a fucking idiot.”
“She’s not a fucking idiot,” Kristin quips. “She was in a meeting Andrew and I attended. She’s aligned herself with assholes who want to strip HIPAA protections. I’ll text Finn to let him know, but Mickey and Evelyn are still MIA.” She types for a minute, then glances up. “If that shitty wedding planner is to blame for this, can we go after her ourselves?”
“No,” I growl, then clear my throat. “Sorry, I mean no, we shouldn’t. Finn and Mickey have been doing this for years.”
Kristin’s jaw tics. “So have I. Let me find her. I can’t guarantee I won’t kill her myself though.”
“That’s why you’re not leaving—why none of us are leaving,” Jaclyn says softly. “What if Lisa isn’t the mastermind and it’s the organization that funnels money into that PAC? You’re too emotionally involved.”
“I’m too emotionally involved?” she scoffs. “Are you kidding me? What about Mickey? He’s going to torture that man when he finds him. I’m pretty sure he’d do it even if Evie wasn’t pregnant with his babies. He’s going to kill the guy before we get any real intel.”
