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But she was also his closest friend, the person who knew him best. And Lauren was like a bloodhound when it came to lies, sniffing out the tiniest details and calling him on his bullshit. He hadn’t ever been able to fool her.
“Bennett, come on. Tell me. Who did you think was waiting for you in the family room tonight?”
He winced. To hide it, he went to get a plate out of the cabinet. “You. Why would I think it was anyone else?”
“You’re impossible. Why are you lying to me?”
His phone began buzzing. Repeatedly. It could have been the team group chat.
But something told him it wasn’t.
A prickling sensation broke out across the nape of his neck and Bennett instantly knew who was texting so impatiently. A certain mob boss who had zero chill about being kept waiting.
“Are you going to answer those?” Lauren asked. “Sounds like someone needs you pretty badly.”
Buzz.
“I’m sure it’s nothing,” he lied.
Buzz. Buzz.
She set her wine glass on the marble with a snap. “Bennett, Jesus. Check your phone to see if someone died.”
The phone felt like a bomb on the counter. Bennett didn’t want to touch it or go near it. Better to just ignore it and hope Nico got the message.
When it buzzed one more time, Lauren was out of her chair and grabbing the device before Bennett could put the takeout container down and stop her. Unfortunately, she knew his password—her birthday—so she was able to unlock it and look at the screen. “Who is NM?”
Quick as a blink, he snatched the device from her fingers. “No one.”
“Are you dating someone?”
“No, of course not.”
He decided to tell Nico they’d talk later. That way, Bennett could focus on Lauren.
Opening the thread, he began reading.
NM: Bennett
NM: I have a short list of players based on the make and model of car he was driving
NM: One of them is responsible
NM: I need your feedback
NM: Do not try to lie or protect them
NM: Because I will know and I will make it much worse for you
NM: Where the fuck are you?
NM: Why are you not answering me?
NM: Verreault, do NOT piss me off
Bennett nearly rolled his eyes. So dramatic. He wrote, Leave me alone. I’m busy.
Nico’s response was instant.
