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Li Na had been taken away in handcuffs by Agent Marks, who seemed happy to finally get his hands on her. It turned out she’d bribed several Chinese government officials, managing to escape extradition long enough to get on a private plane to California.
“Can you believe she actually came to your house?” Bethany shivered.
“No. I can’t believe it.” I took one of the crudités intended for Lauren’s botched shower off the tray and unceremoniously stuffed it into my mouth.
Fiona eyed me. “Do you want some wine to go with that? You could probably use it after a day like today.”
Lauren, Bethany, and Fiona all leaned forward, waiting for me to finish chewing so I could answer.
“No, thanks,” I mumbled. “I’m pregnant.”
“I knew it!” Lauren shrieked, hugging me. “Oh my God, I’m going to be an aunt! Pay up,” she said to Bethany, who rolled her eyes, but then happily handed over a hundred-dollar bill.
Fiona wiped tears from her eyes and poured wine for the rest of them, while I shoved another appetizer into my mouth. “You did not know.”
Lauren took a triumphant sip of wine. “Did so. I cannot wait for you to have a baby. We’re going to play classical music for it, and start math flash cards at an early age, and have a baby shower instead of a stupid bridal shower. Okay?”
I giggled. “Okay. I’m not going to say no to you, not today. I’m so sorry about your shower.”
“I’m not.” Lauren grinned, but then her expression turned serious. “Are you sure you’re okay? Do you think you need to get checked out? That was an awful scare you had.”
“I feel fine. But I still don’t know why she came here. I mean, I know why she came here, but did she really think hurting me and Wes was going to solve her problems?”
Wes, Gabe, Levi, and Ellis came in then. Ash was at FBI headquarters, following up with Agent Marks on behalf of Betts Security. We wanted to make sure we knew exactly what was happening with Li Na, unlike earlier today.
Gabe sat down next to Lauren and threw his arm around her. “I don’t think she was looking to solve problems per se—I think she was looking for her own version of justice. I think she thought coming after the person who’d shamed her was the only honorable thing to do.”
Wes sank down next to me. “I swear, she wanted me to shoot her. She wanted me to end it.”
Gabe nodded. “Again, I think that fits with her notion of honor. Rotting in a prison cell isn’t very honorable, but going down fighting is.”
Ellis stood behind Fiona, while Levi sat near-ish to Bethany, who glared at him.
“What?” he asked. I couldn’t tell if he was annoyed by her of if he thought her glaring was cute—maybe both.
She just rolled her eyes.
“I told you Carey was a bad seed.” Ellis’s voice startled all of us. “You never should’ve trusted him.”
“You’re right,” I said. “He did give me fair warning, though—he said he’d go to the highest bidder. In the end, I guess that was Li Na.”
“But Carey served his purpose.” Fiona had a sip of wine. “He gave the police the name of Jim’s killer.”
“True.”
Ellis smiled at me, breaking the sad mood. “By the way, congratulations—I can’t wait to be an uncle.”
I grinned at him and then at all my friends. My baby was already the luckiest person I knew.
Later, when everyone had gone home and Wes and I were settled in the guest room, he traced a finger across my jawline.
“That scared the hell out of me today.” His eyes were wide, sad.
“Me too. When I heard the gunshot…”
“Shh, don’t.” He leaned down and nuzzled his face against me. “I Hulk-smashed his ass, and we don’t ever have to talk about it again.”
“Okay.”
