Page 105 of Lavender and Lightning

And, to my absolute shock and horror, Caleb’s hand starts reaching into his jacket. Everything seems to slow, and I gasp, throwing my hands up to try to stop Caleb from getting any closer. Rhett is furiously demanding someone tell him what’s going on, but I’m focused on Caleb’s hand. I know he’s armed; he always is. Jason wasn’t a liability, not enough to warrant any of this.

I blink, and the world seems to spin back up to speed as Caleb pulls a small, black rectangular shaped object from the inner pocket of his jacket. It’s way too small to be a gun, and when Caleb flicks his thumb, the lid opens, revealing a screen and dial pad.

“What–a phone?” I stammer, rocking back onto my heels.

“In the industry, it’s called a burner. We think someone cloned the SIM card of your cell phone, so this should fix that. Can’t clone a SIM if there isn’t one,” Caleb explains simply, reaching around me to hand the device to Jason.

“I thought… I thought you were going to–”

“Shoot him? That’s insane,” Lucas snorts.

Rhett throws him a growl, not amused in the slightest at this practical joke. I look up into Caleb’s face, and while he reads as stoic and emotionless, there’s a spark of amusement in his gray eyes.

“Yes, insane. It would be too risky to shoot someone here. Too many witnesses,” Caleb adds dryly.

Before I can stop myself, I pull my fist back and punch his bicep as hard as I can. To my eternal embarrassment, I only manage to make my hand ache, and Caleb laugh. I shake out the sting, joining in with the chuckle. Rhett and Jason share a commiserating glance, shaking their heads.

forty-four

Lydia

Ilookatthealarm clock on the bedside table again, twisting my fingers around themselves as I listen to the shower running from the next room. We’re leaving for the wedding in less than two hours, and I can’t keep still. I’ve showered and my hair is curled and pinned into place. My makeup is done, but I’m still waiting to put on my dress. I look at it where it hangs from the closet door. It’s an absolutely stunning piece, purple so dark that it appears black in most lights, unless light hits it the right way. The silhouette is the vintage-inspired A-line cut I like best, with a plunging neckline covered by sheer black lace that comes up to the base of my throat and into little cap sleeves. There are tiny fabric button details from the waistline to my throat, and a small bow belt to highlight the dip of my waist. The back is covered in the same lace, which will leave my tattoo visible if someone looks close enough.

Rhett had surprised me with the dress and the matching kitten heels this morning, promising another surprise later.

I look up at the sound of a knock on the bedroom door, finding Lucas leaning against the frame. His hands are deep in the pockets of his jeans, and his face smooth, but concern swirls in his steel-blue eyes.

“While I don’t mind, I think your family would be quite scandalized if you showed up in your underthings,” he says after a moment.

I snort a laugh, shaking my head slightly. “I’d really be disowned then.”

Lucas chuckles once and then pushes off the frame to come sit next to me on the bed. I lean my weight on his shoulder.

“You can do this, Lydi-bug. I know you can,” he whispers.

I nod, still looking at my dress. “Help me get into it?”

Lucas nods and we both move at the same time. The water shuts off in the bathroom, and by the time Lucas is zipping me up, I turn just in time to see Rhett in the bathroom doorway, towel slung low around his hips.

“Absolutely stunning, love,” he breathes, staring at me.

I blush hot, tucking my chin. Lucas slips his arms around my waist, resting his chin on my shoulder.

“He’s a tall drink of water, isn’t he, sweetheart?” he whispers in my ear, making me giggle.

Rhett cocks an eyebrow, but that only makes me giggle harder. I kiss Lucas’s cheek and extricate myself from his grip, moving to finish my hair. I leave it mostly down, taming it into vintage waves with pieces pulled back away from my face.

By the time I come back out, I stop dead in my tracks, jaw falling open as I stare at Rhett. He’s dressed in black on black, his pants, shoes, and shirt all matching, and his tie a shimmery midnight purple to match my dress. But what has me nearly drooling is his vest, if you could call it that. The front is a black and gray damask pattern, with silver clasps instead of buttons. And as he turns, I realize it laces up the back like a corset, cinching him in all the right places to accentuate the curve of his waist, the bulk of his chest, and somehow even his ass looks better. He turns around and smirks like the cat that got the cream as he sees my blatant ogling.

“He’s far too good looking for his own good,” Lucas comments from where he’s lounging on the bed, hands folded behind his head, as he also openly admires Rhett from behind.

“It’s not just aesthetic. It’s carbon-fiber reinforced,” Rhett says, and I swear there’s a hint of color in his cheeks.

“That’s the sexiest bulletproof vest I’ve ever seen,” I say after clearing my throat.

Rhett chuckles and runs a hand through his hair. “Not quite that strong. A knife, sure, no problem. But I’m hoping we won’t have to be dodging bullets at a wedding.”

“This is the South. Anything’s possible,” Lucas snorts.

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