Chapter 49 An Extra Passenger
AN EXTRA PASSENGER
BANKS
The scene of my big mistake.
Or maybe it’s an opportunity. A do-over. A chance to write my future, moving on from the past.
Inside the club, I quickly find Haven. Marcus too. I head over to the former Marine and clap him on the sturdy shoulder. “Thanks, man. I’ll take over now.”
“You sure?” he asks, his tone serious since he takes his job seriously. “You need me for anything?”
That’s a good question, but I don’t want to put the cart before the horse. “I’ll let you know if I do.”
“You know where to find me,” he says, giving a crisp nod. It’s good to see he’s not treating me any differently now than he has in the past.
I turn to Haven. “I can’t thank you enough.”
She rubs her palms excitedly, her blue eyes twinkling. “Do I get to plot now? Should we grab a booth in the corner and come up with all the plans?”
“Actually, I have one already.”
She frowns, but it’s playful. In the privacy of the booth, I let her in on the scheme, and her eyes widen. “We need to go now. We can’t wait another second.”
As we head to the door, though, Chris weaves through the crowd, flanked by his own security detail—a guy named Daveed, who’s the size of a tank.
Chris reaches Haven, setting a hand on her arm.
“Haven, did you say you’re going back to Lavender Bliss tonight?
Vega is still there, and I desperately need to chat with her.
Can I join you? I’d hate for guests to keep showing up all night long since none of us are staying there.
Best for your sister if we all show up at once? ”
Ah, hell.
I was looking forward to a quiet farm. But maybe it’ll be good, having other people there—a distraction so Ripley doesn’t spot me too soon. Yeah, I can make this work.
Haven glances at me, making sure it’s okay. “Is that all right, Banks?”
“Absolutely,” I say. “I’ve got room in my car for everyone.”
Chris clasps his fingers together in gratitude. “I am in your debt.”
He’s not really, but it’s amusing that he says so.
We leave the party, and I’m not at all surprised that the major paparazzi are gone. They’ve probably realized by now there’s no money shot here. A couple of passersby lift their phones, but all they’ll get is two actors leaving a bar with their bodyguards.
Haven and Chris smile and wave like it’s another publicity shot of co-workers, nothing more. I’m sure that’s how PR has coached them, and it’s wise in a world where there’s a camera in every pocket. Everyone’s the paparazzi now.
Daveed and I quickly usher the actors to my car. Once they’re in, we take off.
I check the rearview mirror religiously as I drive. No one seems to be following us. That’s good. Ten minutes later, we arrive at Lavender Bliss. My pulse spikes, and my heart clatters as I park.
Chris and Haven go inside the farmhouse while Daveed waits at the gate, keeping watch.
I dart around the back of the cottage, where Ripley can’t see me, and head quietly toward the cottage’s front door.
On the way, I steal a glance at the main homestead.
Through the kitchen window, I can see the woman I’m madly in love with hugging her sister.
That clattering in my heart? It accelerates.
Once inside the cottage, I shut the door. Just in time—a fifty-pound black-and-white pup charges toward me in excitement. Hudson jumps up and licks my face. He smells a little like satsuma oranges.
“You want to help with my project, boy?”
He whimpers happily in agreement.
I tell him to sit. He complies, and I get to work. I’m nearly done when my phone buzzes with a text from Tyler. He’s following up on my questions about who works for News Site Ink and, by extension, VIP Vibes these days, and he’s found something all right.