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I can concur. They really fucking are. But I don’t know exactly what he’s referencing this time. Arching a brow, I smirk as I wait for him to elaborate. Thankfully, he doesn’t make any of us ask.
“Aaron is pushing a match between the younger girl and Hendrick. He knows I have a younger unmarried son, and for whatever reason, he’s focused on him.”
“Having two daughters married to the director’s sons makes him feel as if he’s got more leverage over us,” I say.
He nods his head once, taking another hit from his joint. Then he lets out a sigh. “Yeah. Considering what we found out last night, it’s abundantly clear he wishes to slide in and have a semblance of control over me. That will not happen. However, I believe I will schedule a meeting with him to occur the day after the interrogation.”
Now, that sounds like a plan I can get behind.
“Sounds like a fucking plan,” Wells murmurs.
We spend the rest of the time while we wait for the ceremony, smoking and talking about the upcoming interrogation, which has been moved to tomorrow night. So one night with my bride before it’s back to work. Which is fine with me. I have plenty to do.
There is a knock on the door, and Wells opens it just enough to stick his head out and talk to whoever is on the other side. I can’t hear their words, and I don’t think I care either, especially when I take another hit.
“Coleman,” Wells shouts as he opens the door a bit wider and steps to the side.
Danica makes her way into the room, her eyes wide and her nostrils flaring as she takes in the smell. I wait for her disapproving gaze, but it doesn’t appear. Instead, a smile plays on her lips as she moves toward me.
Standing, I make my way toward her, opening my arms as she wraps hers around me in a hug. I love this woman. She takes care of everything in my life, and I would be completely lost without her.
“Danica,” I murmur against the side of her face.
Releasing her, I take a step backward and look into her eyes. She takes my hands in hers and grips them, her gaze searching mine. Wetness fills her eyes, and I almost laugh. I never imagined Danica as an emotional woman, and yet, here she is practically weeping.
“I want to wish you all the happiness in the world, Coleman. If anyone deserves it, it’s you. All your family, really.”
Her words are sweet and heartfelt, and I don’t quite know how to respond, so instead of saying anything, my lips curve up into a grin and I give her a smile. She shakes her head once, the wetness in her eyes disappearing, then she clears her throat.
“I’ll see you in there,” she murmurs.
“Danica?” I call out as she takes a step backward, but before she spins around.
Reaching out, I take her hand in mine and squeeze it gently. “Thank you,” I murmur. “And I’ll see you tomorrow. I have some things I need to get handled.”
“Tomorrow?” she asks.
I hum. “Can you be there by noon?”
“I can.”
She turns around and walks out of the room. I watch her go until she reaches the door, then she looks over her shoulder at me, and her gaze finds mine.
Danica appears so damn serious, and I wonder what she’s going to say to me. Sliding my tongue along my bottom lip, I wait because it’s clear she has something she wants to get off her chest.
Instead of saying anything, she gives me a smile, then tugs the door open and slips out into the main hallway. I can’t help but wonder what it was she wished to tell me, but when Hendrick hands me a mint and a water, all thoughts disappear.
I’m getting married.
Now.
CLAIRE
Shelby hugsme one last time before Andrew calls out to her to hurry. “I’m sorry,” she whispers against the shell of my ear.
I don’t know what she would have to be sorry about. I start to ask her as she takes a step backward, but then she continues.
“I’m sorry that you have to do this, and I’m sorry I wish it were me.”
