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Benito clucks his tongue. “That’s the one. Well, he’s eating up these rumors, following your footprints across the globe.”
“He’s here.” Now more than ever, I believe he’s the shadow.
“Need backup?” His loyalty to me is uncalled for. It wasn’t his life I saved back in the day but his half-brother. The boys I ran around with in South Africa? Roman Castille was Benny’s baby brother from a different father. We forged into men together. It’s the only reason I trust Benito so much. “You know I’ll come. I’ll call Roman.”
“Not yet.”
“I could send the Cardarelli you like so much,” he snickers.
“I see Santi, and I’ll fucking shoot him back.” I haven’t forgotten about that. I still bear the scar on my leg. Benny’s booming laughter can be heard across the globe, I’m sure. “Shut the fuck up.” He’s lucky he’s not in front of me, or I’d shoot him too. “Hanging up now.” The man’s laughter continues as I pocket the device.
Whipping out my Beretta, Tyler crooks a brow before stepping out of my way.Smart move.Gliding stealthily down the hallway, I keep to the walls, needing to see this asshole for myself.
As I turn the corner where the elevators stand, the shadow is already gone, and I know Vega is as well. Cursing under my breath, I ignore the two women exiting the car, eyes glancing up and down my body when they see me barefoot and shirtless.
Dismissing them, I make my way back to Magnolia. “Get out of here, Tyler,” I hiss as I pass him, and the man scurries away like his ass is on fire.
CHAPTER8
Magnolia
The after-party is in full swing. Dinner was buffet-style, with a bunch of food that made me want to puke my guts out. I’m not sure if it’s the pregnancy or the fact that so many women keep flirting with Cage. He hasn’t said a whole lot since discovering I’m pregnant, and it worries me. Like I knew it would.
Foolishly, I had hoped he’d be excited and tell me he was keeping us both. He did, sort of, but then he didn’t say anything more. And I don’t want him to stick around just because of the baby. I want him to want me. And right now, I’m feeling the most insecure I’ve ever been.
It doesn’t help that my mom has been texting me all day, informing me of how frumpy I look in this green dress and that I need to start watching what I eat because I’m getting fat. Not once did it occur to her that it might be more than just average weight gain. Let’s not forget the comment about my cankles, either. The list went on and on. I cried twice before making myself sick.
Joss is totally in her element here. For as nervous as she was about the entire event, she was welcomed with open arms. Right now, she’s dancing with a group of authors and having the time of her life. She was stopped by a few readers after dinner, who asked her a hundred questions, and it was amazing to see her so receptive to them.
While a lot of these women are considered online friends, there’s a bond within their circle. A comradery that can’t be faked. I’ve also been welcomed into it, and I’ll be forever grateful for that, but I don’t see myself gracing any more book covers. Not for anyone but Joss, anyway.
The vibrating phone in my pocket pulls me from my thoughts. Glancing at the screen, it says Chester PD, and worry infiltrates my bones.
“Hello?” The music is so loud I can barely hear, so I step outside the ballroom. I feel Cage following a few feet behind me. Despite his display during the signing, he wanted to give me a bit of space tonight and decided keeping watch was better.
“Miss Taylor?”
“Yes.”
“It’s Detective Boyd Ryce.” The man who was assigned to mine and Lucy’s case.
“How can I help you, Detective?” Cage tenses.
“This isn’t an easy call to make.” I inwardly groan and wonder what my mom’s done. It would make more sense with the way she showed up. “Garnett Fraser is dead, ma’am.” My world spins, and I lean against a wall.
Surely, I didn’t hear that right. “Can you say that again, please?”
“Garnett Fraser is dead.” There’s a long silence before he carries on. “He was murdered in prison. We aren’t sure by whom yet. The person seems to have gotten in and out undetected.”
Dead.
He’s dead.
Hardly punished at all.
“Hey, whoa, pet, I’ve got you.” Cage holds my failing body as my knees give out, sliding us both to the floor while taking the phone from my hand. “Sorry, mate, she’s got to go.” His hands glide up and down my arms, trying to warm my body from the chill that’s overtaken me.
“He’s dead,” I whisper as tears flood my eyes. I should be relieved, right? But I’m not. I’m angry. Lucy lost her life; I’ll bear scars for the rest of mine. “It’s like he just got away with it.” He’ll never know true suffering. Not the way I have, the way Lucy’s family has. It doesn’t feel fair.
