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By the time Damon, Mara and Mariella emerge, I’m ready to explode from the tension. Damon reads my expression clearly and reassures me. “I just got off the phone with the DA, he’s waiting for me to bring her in.”
Teller lifts his head. “This guy legit?”
Damon quirks an eyebrow.
“Are you sure he’s not on Viper payroll,” Teller clarifies.
Damon opens his mouth to answer, but Mariella cuts him off. “Not that I know of. They coached me on what to say for a couple days. They wouldn’t have bothered if—”
“Okay.” Teller agrees. He pulls out his phone and taps out a text. “I’m gonna have two of our guys meet you there and wait outside, just in case.”
Damon doesn’t seem to know what to do with that. I smile weakly at him. Behind him, Mara flashes me a bright smile. Somehow she always makes me feel a little better—even at my worst—and I’m grateful for it.
We make arrangements to meet them on their way back from Slater, so we can pick Mariella up and bring her back to the clubhouse. I’m so numb, too afraid something will go wrong to let myself get excited about Rock’s release.
“Z and Wrath are heading over there now to wait outside,” Teller says after we get in his car.
“You think it’s necessary?”
“Just in case. I didn’t like that he gave the DA a heads-up. Too easy for him to tip someone else off.”
I don’t know what to say. From the world Teller operates from, that makes complete sense. From Damon’s side, it would be rude to just spring this sort of thing on a colleague. I’m sort of torn between both worlds these days.
Sometimes I wonder which side I’ll end up on.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
According to Hope—who got her information from her judge friend—the recant went well. The DA supposedly started the process of getting the case dropped last night. We still haven’t heard anything about when Rock’s getting out though. Hope put in a call to Glassman and he assured her he’d keep his calendar clear. He also reminded her he’d run through our initial retainer and would need more money soon.
“Send me the bill,” Hope snaps before hanging up the phone. “Asshat,” she grumbles.
Z chuckles at her irritation. We’d been listening in on speakerphone to the conversation. “Don’t sweat it, Hope. We’ve got it covered.”
“I know. It ticks me off though. He knows you guys are good for it. Get my fiancé out and worry about your damn money later,” she fumes.
Spitfire.
I stand and motion for her to follow. “Let’s get you some breakfast. You’re cranky when you haven’t eaten.”
She scowls up at me. “I am not.”
Behind me, Z snickers. The pups stir, nudging and wrestling with each other. While Hope crouches down to play with them, a smile spreads over Z’s face and he shakes his head.
The three of us walk down to the dining room together while the pups zig and zag around us.
“They’re getting bigger,” Hope says. “Did you name them yet?”
Z points to the Rottweiler. “Ziggy.” He points at the one we determined was a Cane Corso. “Zipper.”
Hope laughs. “Appropriate.”
Murphy and Teller are at one table, bickering about something when we enter. The both glance up and smile at Hope. “Any news?” Murphy asks.
“Not yet,” she answers.
Teller jerks his thumb at the kitchen. “Trin’s in there with Mariella,” he says, nodding at me.
Trinity explained that Mariella’s eager to repay us for rescuing her. She’s grateful none of us expect sex from her in return for our shelter, so she’s more than happy to take over Trinity’s chores around the house. But for fuck’s sake, Trinity’s been showing Mariella around her kitchen since she got here. I think the girl’s got it by now.
Hope seems to read my irritation and taps my arm. “I’ll get her.”
“Thank you.”
Breakfast is quiet once the girls join us. We’re all tense waiting to hear news about Rock’s release. Mariella declines to join us, even after Teller specifically asks her to.
Hope whips her phone out and starts tapping away when she’s finished eating.
“Something about the case, Hope?” Z lifts his chin at her and she blushes, but doesn’t tuck her phone away.
“No.”
“Well, you’re awfully intent on something. Spill.”
“It’s nothing.”
I don’t know what the fuck is wrong with Z, but he won’t leave it alone. “Come on. What’s got you glued to your phone?”
Hope finally snaps. “I was setting up an appointment for a bikini wax if you must know.” Everyone at the table—except Z—bursts out laughing. Poor Hope turns bright pink. Her gaze zeroes in on Trinity who’s still laughing. “They have two openings if you still want to join me.”
Trinity sputters and it’s probably awful of me, but I laugh so hard I can’t breathe.
“I don’t know how Rock puts up with you guys,” Hope grumbles.
Z still looks a little traumatized from all that information. Serves him right for being nosy.
Hope’s mouth curls into a smirk. “What’s wrong, Z? The girls down at CB must talk about their girly grooming habits all the time.”
“Yeah, but since I can’t enjoy the benefits, I’d rather pretend neither of you even have any of those parts.” He shakes his whole body, as if he thinks snapping his head from side to side will toss the mental image out of his head.
Hope rolls her eyes, but she’s laughing too. Still chuckling, she nods at Trinity. “Come on. I made an appointment at the dress shop too. You can help me pick out a strapless bra to take with me.”
All of us groan and she grins.
Trinity shakes her head as she stands. “You realize what they’re all picturing now, right Hope?”
No, she didn’t. She grumbles and storms off with Trinity laughing while she catches up to her.
As soon as they’re out of sight, I glance at Z. “Not it.”
“What? Oh, hell no.”
“What are you two talking about?” Murphy asks.
I tilt my head at Murphy and Teller. Z gets my meaning and smirks. “Someone’s gotta stick with the girls. I still don’t feel comfortable letting them run around by themselves.”
“No fucking way,” Murphy says.
“Maybe you can get your sack waxed while you’re there. I hear some chicks dig that.” Z’s laughing so hard he almost doesn’t get all the words out.
Teller shakes his head. “I gotta pick Heidi up and bring her to the dress shop, so I can’t do it.”
Murphy groans. “Fuck me. Are you fuckin’ serious?”
“I can’t do it. I’ve got stuff to take care of here.” I pin Murphy with a hard stare. “I trust you.”
He’s stopped most of his bitching by the time the girls return.
Hope claps her hands to get our attention. “Okay. Who’s taking us? We’ve got ten o’clock appointments,” she asks, glancing at each one of us.
Murphy slowly raises his hand as the rest of us snicker at him. “I hate you guys,” he mutters, which only makes us laugh harder.
“We need to be at the dress shop by two,” Hope says to Teller who nods.
“Got it.”
“Glassman has everyone’s numbers in case there’s news about Rock. I’ll keep my phone on, so if I get any information, I’ll let you know.”
“Sounds good.” I push my chair out so I can stand and signal Trinity over to me. She approaches with a sly smile and I tug her away from the table and my nosy-ass brothers. Remembering what a hard time she had at the doctor’s office, I have to ask. “You gonna be okay?”
“Yeah. I told her I wanted to do that…before…I’m not...now.” My face must betray some disappointment, because she reaches up on tiptoes, sliding her arms around my neck and pulling me down so she can whisper in my ear. “I’d rather maybe let you be in charge of that particular bit of gr
ooming.”
Well now. That was the last thing I expected her to say or want. One corner of my mouth curls up. “I can get on board with that.”
She laughs and kisses my cheek. “I figured.”
As she starts to pull away, I grab her for a real kiss. My hand runs up her back, into her hair. Her lips part for my tongue to sweep inside. She tastes minty-sweet and for a few seconds I forget everything else around us.
Until the guys start whooping and making noises.
We break away, staring at each other. My knuckles skim over her cheek. “Love you, Trinity.”
Her eyelids drop and she tilts her head, rubbing her cheek against my hand. “Love you too.”
Upstairs, I tear through my dresser drawers searching for the right undergarments to bring to the dress shop. My hand brushes over an envelope.
Oh, no.
It’s the card Lilly handed to me at my engagement party. From Sophie. With all the craziness that followed, I never opened it. I don’t even remember stuffing it in this drawer.
Even though Trinity must be waiting downstairs for me, I can’t put this off any longer. Dropping onto my chaise, I rip open the envelope and pull out a fairly generic note card filled with Sophie’s small, elegant handwriting.
Dear Hope,
Sorry is so inadequate. But I am sorry. I’m not excusing what I did, but I’ve been ignoring this problem for a long time. Destroying our friendship feels like my rock bottom.
You’re one of the few friends who’ve always been there for me. You’ve seen me at some of my lowest moments and yet you’ve never judged me. I thought setting you up with Rock was a small way to repay you for everything you’ve done for me over the years. I never wanted to screw that up. I was so flustered and tipsy the night of our fight, none of my words came out right. When you were in the hospital, I saw how much he loves you, how unbreakable your bond is. It made me feel so much worse about what I’d done and I couldn’t figure out how to tell you, even though I know I should have.
I’ve decided to get help. My firm has to pay for it—boy, were they thrilled. I’m sure as soon as they can legally fire me, they will. But hopefully I’ll be better by then. I hope you can find a way to forgive me. My brother will have my contact information, but if you don’t want to see me, I understand.
Love,
Sophie
Crap.
I’ve had this for weeks. By not responding, Sophie must have figured I’d written her off. If Rock hadn’t gotten arrested and I’d read this sooner, would I have called her? After reading it a few more times, I know the answer.
Yes.
If I’d been a better friend and not so self-absorbed all the time, maybe I would have noticed that Sophie’s drinking crossed the social line a long time ago.
Before I can figure out what to do about it, Trinity’s knocking at the door.
“You ready?” she calls out.
“Yup.” I stuff the envelope between two books on my shelf. Maybe I’ll talk to Lilly about it later at the dress shop.
Trinity’s quiet on our way to the spa. Her silence makes me wonder. “Are you mad? I was only joking around since the guys—”
“I’m not mad at all, Hope.”
“Okay.”
Murphy seems uncomfortable as he walks us inside. A small pang of guilt hits me. Z should have been the one forced to take us since he couldn’t leave me alone this morning.
A couple hours later, I find Murphy in the waiting area chatting up one of the receptionists. I guess he’s not annoyed any more. Trinity’s glances up from the magazine she’s flipping through and rolls her eyes when she sees me.
“Come on, Murphy, time to hit the dress shop,” I call out.
Trinity bursts into laughter and Murphy looks like he wants to choke me.
“Is there anywhere you don’t pick up chicks, Murphy?” I ask when we’re back in the car.
“I wasn’t picking her up. If anything, she was trying to pick me up.”
Trinity snickers. “It’s true. She tried to talk him into all sorts of very unmanly things.”
Murphy fake-shivers. “A little grooming’s one thing.” He swipes his hand over his neatly trimmed little beard. “What she was talking about…no.”
The silly conversation takes my mind off the fact that I still haven’t gotten a call or any information from Glassman. I send Wrath a text and deflate even more when he responds he hasn’t heard anything either.
“Nothing?” Murphy asks.
“No.”
“You said the judge was an asshole. Could he be stalling things, Hope?” Trinity asks.
Good question. “I’m not sure. Maybe. It’s the DA’s choice to drop the charges. Technically, the judge shouldn’t, but who knows.” Nothing about this whole messed-up nightmare has made any sense.
Heidi and Teller are waiting in the parking lot at the boutique. Surprise, surprise, Murphy’s a little less grumbly about hanging out with us now.
Heidi almost knocks me over with her enthusiastic greeting. “Marcel told me Uncle Rock might get out soon?”
I glance up at Teller and he shrugs. “I hope so, honey. I’m waiting for news,” I answer, tapping my cell phone.
“You don’t have to buy me a dress, Hope. I really don’t mind wearing the dress you bought me for my prom. It’s still my favorite thing ever.”
“It’s up to you. I’m not going to be picky about what you wear and the colors of that dress match. But if you see something you like better today, don’t hesitate.”
“Okay.”
While everyone goes inside, Teller holds me back. “I need to take off. Will you be okay?”
“Sure. Murphy’s been a good little bodyguard.”
Teller smirks. “Hey, don’t buy Heidi’s dress. I’ll pay for it. You’ve done enough for her.”
“I really don’t mind.”
“Thanks for including her. She can’t stop talking about it.”
I’m happy to hear that and I tell him so.
“Call me if you need something or hear anything about Rock.”
“I will. Promise.”
He gives me a quick hug and takes off. The insolent rumble of his bike intensifies my anxiety about Rock’s release. I miss Rock. Miss riding with him. The cool, confident way he commands such a big machine always relaxes me for some reason. Excites me too. But I can’t think about that right now.
Soon. Soon. Soon. I chant in my head, while I open the dress shop door. He’ll be out soon. And I need to find the perfect green dress to marry him in.
Inside, the owner of the shop looks a little stressed at having three people hanging out in her store.
“I’m sorry, Gloria, right? Hope Kendall, we—”
“Oh, hello,” she finally greets me with a pleasant smile. I called her a couple weeks ago, explaining what I wanted. It took some time, but she ordered a bunch of dresses for me to try out. She also ordered dresses for Trinity and Heidi.
Heidi’s ecstatic about being in the wedding. Mara and Lilly also graciously accepted invitations to be bridesmaids. God bless them, they haven’t abandoned me or once made me feel bad about Rock’s situation.
Since I don’t want a traditional wedding dress, this isn’t a traditional bridal shop. It’s more of an exclusive store which specializes in fashion that is more easily found in more cosmopolitan places than Empire. Of course that means the prices are higher too. I almost gag at the price of the first dress she hands me. It’s floor length and made of very fine silk with intricate layers of lace on top. Beautiful. But not suited for an outdoor wedding in the woods.
Gloria glances at Murphy as she presents the next dress. “Is this the lucky groom?”
We all have a good chuckle over that.
“No, this is my bodyguard for the day.” What? Might as well go with the truth. What else am I supposed to say?
Deciding I must be joking, she turns to Trinity. “Your young man, then?”
“No,” Trinity answers wi
th a straight face.
Gloria gives up trying to figure out what Murphy’s doing here, while Heidi glares at Trinity. God help me.
After hours and a lot of fancy green dresses, I’ve narrowed it down to two. By this time Lilly and Mara have joined our little party and Murphy seems on the verge of climbing up to the roof and jumping off.
One dress is knee length emerald green lace with long sleeves and an open back. “Modest, yet sexy. Just like you,” Mara says while bobbing her head up and down.
The other one is also emerald green lace, the top is a sleeveless tank style with wide shoulder straps, nipped in the waist, flaring out into a pleated circle skirt that ends right above my knees. It has a nude lining to give it the illusion of being more daring than it is. Very me.
I hold up the second one. “This feels less fussy and it’s comfortable.”
“It looked really pretty on you,” Trinity says.
“And I wanted to have this special corset thing made.” I lower my voice since Murphy’s still here. “You know, for later, and I wouldn’t be able to wear it under this one.” I hold up the backless one. “I love it. But it also feels too dressy for what we’re doing?”
I look to the girls for their thoughts.
“Definitely no corset. You’ll need a special bra for it too,” Lilly points out.
Gloria explains the boobie contraption I need to find to work with the dress, because not only is it backless, the lace at the shoulders is sheer. It seems like more of a pain in the ass than I’m willing to deal with. “I don’t know. I don’t think that would be enough to hold my girls up,” I mumble while cupping my breasts and staring at them.
Gloria eyes me critically. “Well, you are larger than a C cup—”
“I’m out of here,” Murphy snaps. “I’ll be out front. Yell if you need me,” he says before storming outside.
Trinity, Mara, Lilly and I burst into giggles.
“What happened? Where’s Murphy?” Heidi asks. She was trying on a dress in the back and missed the fun.
“Oh, Heidi, that looks so pretty on you,” Mara gushes. Heidi grins and stands up straighter. She found a one-shoulder dress with pleated chiffon in a lovely bright plum color.
