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Matt brings our joined hands to his lips to press a kiss onto the back of my hand, his eyes sorrowful. “You havenoidea how fucking sorry I am that this is happening to you, but you can believe me when I say your mom would lovenothingmore than to be home withyou.”
My smile is tremulous before dropping from my lips when a diner drops a fork with a loudclang, the sound jolting me back to reality. I gently tug my hand from his grasp, sitting up straight. “You know exactly the right things to say, Matty.”
CHAPTER28
VAUGHN
“Can you hear me?”
I roll my eyes for the millionth time as I slip my arms into the sleeves of my jacket.
“Yes, Ford. Your glorious dulcet tones are music to my ears. Now, if you wouldn’t mind fucking off, please, and thanks.”
He chuckles quietly, obviously still in my damn head, before blissful silence prevails, thank Christ.
I grab my cell to pocket it, my face softening when I spot a reply from Wren.
WREN
I won’t be late. It’s just me and Matt now.
Matt, clean-as-a-motherfucking-whistle, Porter.
My eyes roll heavily, more than a little put out at the thought of the Porter kid having my Wren to himself for the next couple of hours.
Gritting my teeth, I focus on getting this inquiry with Porter Senior out of the way, intent on leaving with answers. On keeping Wren safe.
I smirk as I send her a reply that’s sure to make her smile.
ME
I won’t be long. Leave those heels on.
The following thirty minutes are spent reading through the background check Ford had completed on the entire Porter family, familiarizing myself with Lennon, and figuring out the best plan of attack.
Once I’m content with my knowledge, I’m ready.
The elevator takes me down to the basement, where I slide into my Bugatti and zip out into the Tribeca evening. The comedy club, Oscar’s, is uptown, a couple of blocks from Cherry Blossom, and I’m contemplating calling Wren to check in, when Ford pops up in my ear again.
“Jo is running a few minutes late. Got caught in traffic on the way in.”
I check the time, seeing that I’m plenty early anyway. “The doors don’t open until 8 p.m. I’ll wait in the car. I could use the peace and quiet.”
Ford chuckles lowly at my pointed remark, going silent again.
A mere ten minutes later, I pull in half a block from Oscar’s and dial Jo’s cell.
“I hear you’re running late.”
He sighs. “A little. I’m out of the worst of the jam now. Should be there in…no more than fifteen.”
“That’s still plenty of time, Jo. I’m waiting in my car outside a place called…” I glance out the passenger window, barking a laugh when I realize where I am. “I’m outside a lingerie store by the name of Angel Lace.”
He chuckles. “Of course you are. Would expect nothing less. I’ll be passing by soon. I’m sure to spot you in that hot little car of yours.”
“I’ll keep an eye out.”
When Jo hangs up, my eyes drift back toward the storefront. My interest is instantly piqued when I spot the sexiest fucking lingerie on a mannequin in the window, and before I know what I’m even doing, I’m on the sidewalk, locking my car.
