AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“No, I mean how long would we have to stay married?”
Forever.
“That’s dependent on the length and outcome of the trial,” I lie.
She swallows, nervously picking at her nails. “And when would I have to leave?”
“Tonight. Organize what you need to. We leave at five.”
“Wait! Where are we going?!” she calls after me as I continue on toward the kitchen, though I’m currently exerting an exceptional amount of effort into not passing out from blood loss to keep this conversation going any longer.
Where are we going? Great question. Where the fuck could I possibly hide her that Yuri wouldn’t think to look? Retrieving my cell from my pocket, I scroll through my contact list, my fingers slowing as my gaze zeroes in on a name I never imagined I’d need to call for help. Clicking Call, I lift the phone to my ear, relieved when he answers on the second ring.
“Nick? Is everything okay? Something wrong with my daughter?”
“Hey, Marcus. Nah, Baby J’s all good. I, uh… I’m actually in need of a favor.”
CHAPTER 38
NOW
DAPHNE
“You know you don’t have to do that, right?” Kaitlyn enters the kitchen to place her coffee mug in the sink where I’m currently washing dishes. “You’re a guest.”
“I want to,” I reassure her with a gracious smile. “You guys have gone above and beyond for me this week. It’s the least I can do.”
“Babydoll, we let you sleep on our couch and force you to play board games with us every night. If that’s your gold star for above and beyond then I’m concerned about your standards.” She chuckles as she hops up to sit on the counter before readjusting her messy brown bun.
I’ve been hidden away in Cape Cod with Jonsie’s dad and stepmom for a week now and, I must admit, if you have to be in hiding, there are certainly worse places to be. I spend my days helping Katie run her yoga classes on the beach while indulging myself on fresh seafood every night. We play games. We watch movies. It’s a great time. It’s been a few years since I tagged along with Jones on one of her annual summer Cape trips, and I’m suddenly sad it’s taken such extreme circumstances for me to return.
I have no idea if Jones knows where I am. I’m going to assume not, since Marcus told me he promised Nicky he wouldn’t let anyone know I was here, but he wouldn’t lie to Jonsie if she called looking for me. When I asked if Nicky had shared with them why I was here, Katie said it was better they didn’t know. Plausible deniability, Marcus had called it.
Using the cover story Nicky suggested, Mom and Lucian think I’m spending two weeks at a spa retreat so that I can be well-rested for the wedding. My mother was thrilled by the idea and not only supplied me with a list of recommended skin treatments, but also asked me to inquire upon arrival if they had any seaweed wraps that could help me “shed those pesky last five pounds.” Bitch.
On a positive note, Nicky took my phone before he brought me here so I haven’t had to speak to her once in the last seven days. He dropped me off in the middle of the night and said he’d be back in one week to see if I had an answer for him.
That means he should be arriving today, and I still have no clue what I’m going to say. Do I want to marry Nicky? It’s possibly the one thing I’ve wanted more than anything my entire life, but am I willing to take it on these terms? Like some form of a transaction? I’m not sure. I hate that everything comes with attached conditions or ulterior motives. Why couldn’t he just want to marry me?
“Where’s Marcus?” I ask, finishing up the last of the silverware.
“Out for a run. Should be back any minute, though.”
“Ask and you shall receive.” Marcus strides into the kitchen, sweaty from his run. “And I come bearing gifts.”
Slamming my palm down on the faucet a bit harder than necessary in my excitement, I cut the water to the sink. I spin, expecting to see a familiar set of cerulean eyes, only to be met with disappointment when a pair of piercing hazel ones stare back at me instead.
“Rico.” I force a smile, reaching for a towel to dry my hands.
“Hey, Dee.” His gaze shifts over to the countertop where Katie’s still perched. “Katie.”
She smiles warmly as she leans into Marcus’s side, offering a wave in response.
“If you guys don’t mind, I need a moment alone with Daph.”
“Of course.” Marcus helps Katie down from the counter, patting Rico on the shoulder as they pass him on their way out the kitchen.
“Thanks, guys.” Rico glances back over his shoulder, his eyes following them as they exit the room. Turning back to me, he holds up a manila file folder, brandishing it for me to see before slapping it down against the small island between us. “You and I need to talk.”
