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I stand stuck in place and watch as Brandon tucks his shirt in and buckles his belt. Damn. This man...
With shaking hands, I pull up my dress and turn my back to him. “Could you please zip me?”
His fingers skim up my spine before he kisses the back of my neck and pulls up my zipper. Both big hands cup my shoulders before running down my arms. “Ashlyn...”
I’m not sure if I’m hearing regret in his voice, but I don’t have time to figure it out now. “Where are my panties?” I whisper-hiss as I look everywhere, frantic, just before the doors open and I see white lace shoved into his pocket.
Brandon and I look at each other for one quick, quiet moment before chaos erupts.
Juliette cuts through the crowd of family and races toward me, cutting off Henry, who’s standing just outside the sliding doors of the elevator. She throws her arms around me and squeezes, just before I feel her fixing my dress in the back. “I want to know everything tomorrow. But for now, just run your hands over your freshly fucked hair, tell the whole family you’re fine, and Becket and I will take you home.”
I squeeze my best friend back and catch a glimpse of Maddie clinging to her brother. Tears are streaming down her cheeks, only he’s not looking at her. Those dark eyes have me locked in their sights.
I quickly look away as if I’ve been seared from the inside out.
Henry clears his throat and takes a step toward me. “Excuse me, Ashlyn. Could we speak?”
“Not tonight, Hank,” Jules blocks him. “We’re taking her home.”
I force a smile. Henry and I have been working together for years, but I don’t have the energy right now to listen to him try to apologize for what just happened. “Thanks, Henry. It’s fine. Really. I’m just glad to be out of that death trap.”
Becket kisses my cheek and drapes his jacket around my shoulders. “Come on. Let’s get you out of here.” When I married John Kingston, Becket was the first of his family to welcome me in. As one of John’s oldest sons, Becks is a few years older than me, and we’ve always had the closest relationship.
I lean into him and take the support he’s offering. “Thanks, Becks.”
The rest of our big family closes ranks around Brandon and me, and I don’t get to say another word to him before I’m swept away to Becket’s waiting SUV. “Did anyone tell Lindy or the girls what was happening?” I ask as Becks holds the back door open for me.
“No,” Jules answers as she sits down next to me in the back seat. “We didn’t want to worry them. I texted Kenzie a little bit ago, and they were having a scary movie marathon. She said they were eating ice cream and making fun of the movies.”
“Okay, so I’m just the chauffeur tonight, cupcake?” Becks teases his wife for leaving the front seat empty.
Without missing a beat, she tosses her purse next to him and grins. “Shut up and drive, Charming. Us girls need a few minutes.” She crosses her legs and leans an arm against the seat next to me. “Tell me everything.”
I glance at Becks, then back to Jules and roll my eyes.
“Act like he’s not here.”
“But he is here,” I argue.
“Andhecan hear everything. Why are you hounding her, Jules? It’s been a long night. Give Ashlyn a break.”
Juliette tsks. “Because girlfriend here has freshly fucked hair, and the layers of her chiffon gown are all sorts of messed up, husband. Now shut up and let the adults talk.”
“Jesus Christ,” he mumbles.
“Jules,” I gasp.
“Oh, come on. Tell me I’m wrong, and I’ll stop.”
I look out the window as the city skyline passes by on our way back to Kroydon Hills. “We’ll talk when you pick Kenzie up from my house tomorrow.”
“That means you’re not wrong, cupcake.” Becks smirks.
“Shut up, Becket,” we both answer together, then laugh.
“Becket Kingston... so help me God. If you breathe a word of this in the family group chat, I will castrate you. Slowly. Painfully. And then I’ll hang your balls around my rearview mirror like fuzzy little dice for the world to see. Do you understand me?”
Becks shivers dramatically from the front seat. “I’m a United States senator, Ashlyn. I don’t spread gossip.”
