“So, let’s raise our glasses high and toast to these two remarkable men. May your marriage be filled with more laughter than a stand-up comedy show, more love than all the rom-coms combined, and more adventures than a trip to an unlimited mimosa brunch. Cheers!”
I drank the rest of the drink I was holding and then returned to my chair while Coop gave his speech. Chase and Gage said some words too, and then the party really started.
Tyler and Hayden shared their first dance and afterward invited everyone else to join in. I wasn’t one to shy away from the dance floor, and danced my ass off. Maybe there was something to be said about weddings that gave people some sort of lovestruck fever because I was eager to see Rhett and tell him I loved him.
* * *
The night was winding down,and I was beat. I couldn’t imagine how Tyler and Hayden were feeling. Not only did they dance the night away, but they mingled with all of their guests too. It was an epic wedding, but I felt it was my duty to give the lovebirds a good send-off.
“You two heading out soon?” I asked over the loud music.
“Why? You want to go home to your man?” Tyler teased.
I did but couldn’t. “He’s at his place with his daughter. I’ll see him tomorrow.”
“Then video sex tonight?” Tyler continued to jest.
“All right. Fine. You caught me. But at least you two are doing the real deal tonight.” I waggled my eyebrows.
“Yeah, we will.” Hayden pulled Tyler close and seized his lips, and a pang of jealousy hit me.
“Go say your goodbyes.” I shooed them.
The happy couple made their rounds, and I pulled the prepaid phone from my pocket and sent a text to Rhett.
Wedding is coming to an end. I should be home in about an hour. You better be naked and hard when I call
Rhett didn’t reply, and I had to think he was putting Poppy to bed or something.
After Tyler and Hayden rode away in their limo, people were gathering their stuff to leave too. I headed to the bar for one last drink as Agents Day and Bernard stayed near the front door and waited for me.
“One more for the road,” I said to the bartender, the same one who had given me the shots when I’d first arrived. He had been on his feet the entire night.
My phone finally buzzed with a text, and I pulled it out of my pocket.
Hurry
The bartender placed a fresh vodka soda in front of me, and as I reached for it, someone came up and stood to my right. Instantly, I felt a jabbing pain in my side.
“Mr. Hughes wants his money,” a gravelly voice hissed.
I looked beside me to see a man I didn’t recognize, his eyes cold and calculating. “This shit again? You want my brother,” I shot back, my voice dripping with defiance.
“He thought you’d say that,” he sneered, pressing whatever object he had harder against my side.
I clenched my teeth and groaned in pain. I lifted my gaze. The bartender’s eyes were wide, and a look of terror laced his face. My heart raced as I scanned the dimly lit room for Day and Bernard.
The moment my eyes locked with Agent Day’s, I saw him rush toward me.
Summoning all the strength I could muster, I shoved my elbow into my attacker’s gut, causing him to stagger back.
I saw the glint of a gun in the man’s hand as he pointed the weapon at me. In the blink of an eye, a gunshot rang out, the sound deafening since it was so close to me.
The impact hit me like a freight train, sending searing pain through my chest. I stumbled and fell to the ground, the taste of blood filling my mouth.
Madness erupted around me as wedding guests screamed and scrambled. Another shot was fired, and through the haze of pain and confusion, I saw the stranger collapse to the ground near the door by the bar.
Before I could fully comprehend everything, Agent Day was by my side. “Stay with me, Fallon,” he urged.
