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It’s funny watching his life stop just because he found her. She’s already knocked him off his game, but Allie has only just started to change his world.
Tom hands Allie over and takes his seat after telling both Allie and Lucas he loves them. Ever the perfect father.
With a shaky voice, Lucas tries to choke out a hello and trips over his own tongue, trying to tell her how beautiful she is. Allie sobs a little and no one can understand what the fuck language she used just to say hi back.
Clyde smiles and carries on with the proceedings. Lucas lies about allergies twice while wiping his eyes, and Allie manages to not fuck up her makeup.
Both of them say “I do” a little too enthusiastically, but it’s so disgustingly sweet and verythem.
“I pronounce you husband and wife.” Clyde sighs and smiles at them both. “You may kiss your bride.”
Lucas takes Allie in his arms, bends her backward so he’s the one balancing them, and kisses her. Allie’s foot lifts and toes point toward me. I never took her for the spiked heel type, either. She’s just full of surprises today.
I glance up at Charity at the same time that she looks up at me. For a second, the malice is nonexistent. I don’t know what I did to piss her off this bad, but I wish I could take it back.
Everyone claps for Lucas and Allie as they stand back up with puffy lips and euphoria in their faces. They both have stupid grins and my cheeks hurt just watching them smile.
Clyde chimes in from behind them. “May I present to you all for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Lucas Kennedy.”
Nah.
It wouldn’t be me if I didn’t do this. At the top of my lungs, and with my hands cupped around my mouth, I shout what everyone is thinking. “That’s Mr. and Mrs. Lucas and Allie fucking Kennedy!”
Lucas elbows me in the stomach and sweeps up his wife, rushing Allie down the pathway toward the doors. Everyone files out to follow them into the reception. Although, the reception was to the left, and the newlyweds veer to the right, so I’m guessing he’s got other plans for the moment.
Desperate fucker. I don’t blame him, though.
“Come on, Cherry, I’ll escort you to the reception. I’ll even dance with you, girl, and I’ll be respectful for the first one.” I wink and wiggle my brows at her. “Come on,señorita, you show me your moves; I’ll show you mine.”
She rolls her eyes and walks off in front of me. More like a saunter. Before I head in behind her, I make a quick call to check on my mom. She doesn’t get out much. She’s settled for the evening, and I don’t have to stop by, so I’m free to do me tonight.
Charity won’t bite, so I’ll swing by the open bar inside and scroll through my contacts to see if any of my regulars are free tonight.
“Lovely couple, aren’t they?” A black suit steps out from the shadows. Clean haircut, shaven face. Dark red hair. Angular jaw. Middle-aged, probably fifty. No wedding ring, but that means nothing. He looks like a family man to me. His appearance and demeanor scream East Coast, and his soft, watered down accent gives it away.
Boston.
He holds a hand out to me. “Lawrence Baker.”
“Joel,” I say, taking his hand. “You with the bride’s family?” I know every single person here, and I know for a fact there isn’t a Lawrence Baker on the guest list.
I may look stupid, and that’s fine. I know I’m anything but. It’s the best way to not stand out.
“I’m actually here for you.” He maintains eye contact and holds that air around him. A stale aura of bureaucracy.
He’s no civilian.
“Does the name Santiago Ortíz mean anything to you?”
Fuck. There went my night.
My heart damn near stops in my chest, but otherwise I know not to react on the outside. I haven’t heard that name in a long time. I drop my voice low, almost dark, which is not my life anymore.
“Who do you work for?” He knows I’m a cop if he’s asking me that name and if he sought me out. This man’s affiliation could go either way. I have a gun on me, and a bag ready to run if I need to, but he’s not threatening me.
Not yet, anyway.
Lawrence Baker nods and shows me his badge. “I work for my country, son.” He pauses and clicks his tongue.
