“Is it possible that I’m in that future?” Grady asked.
“I don’t know. First, I’m angry and hurt for what you did. In my head, I understand your actions. In my heart, you cheated on me. You lied to me. You turned your back on me and my son. And worst of all, you devastated Nicholas.”
“Most of what I did was to protect both of you.”
“Sleeping with Sebrina had nothing to do with us,” I said, standing to walk toward the atrium door. “Take the ring with you when you leave.”
The cool air felt good on my hot skin. Instead of walking toward the driveway, I turned to the right, walking around the house and into the back yard. I called out to warn the security team as I walked down the short hill to the patio area below.
“Why are you wandering around by yourself?” Bones asked.
“I think it’s about time I walk alone for a while, don’t you?” I said, grinning at how cute Bridget and Bones looked together as he held her so her back was snug against his chest.
“Am I supposed to understand that?” Bones asked, raising an eyebrow.
“No,” Wild Card said, walking out of the basement gym onto the patio. “But I do.” He walked toward me. “I got a call from a buddy who needs my help on a job. You going to be okay for a week or two if I leave?”
“You’re not staying for the rest of the tournament?”
He shook his head. “This job can’t wait. Jackson said he’d take my place in the paintball competition. As for The Circle of Hell, I’m betting the winners will be local.” Wild Card tilted his head at Bones. Bones smiled proudly. “I can challenge them for their titles another time. Besides, Tech promised to send me the video highlights.”
“You’ll be missed, but I get it.”
“You’re good then?”
I hugged him. “I got this.”
“I know you do,” he said, kissing my cheek. “I’m going to say goodbye to Nick and Jager before I take off. Call me if either of you need me.”
“Jager?”
“The dog,” Wild Card answered as he jogged backwards into the field. “By the way, I’ve secured a promise from Nicholas to brush his teeth without argument.”
I smiled at Wild Card as he continued to jog backwards. “You mean bribed?”
Wild Card shrugged. “Do you care?”
I shook my head. “Be safe, Mr. Wesley.”
“What fun would that be?” he asked before turning and jogging away.
“What was that all about?” Bones asked.
I didn’t answer. I watched Wild Card throw the ball for the dog and then steer Nicholas away from everyone so they could talk. Nicholas nodded several times before something Wild Card said made him laugh. Nicholas looked over at me and waved. I smiled and waved back.
“You okay?” Bridget asked, stepping away from Bones and looping her arm through mine. “You’re crying.”
“They’re happy tears, Bridget. Happy tears.”
Thank you for reading Hearts and Aces.
If you enjoyed this book, would you honor me by leaving a review? Reviews communicate to other readers whether a book is worthy of their time. I hope this book met that mark, and you’ll leave your honest opinion for the next reader to consider. Review Link: Amazon
Sign up for my newsletter at BooksByKaylie.com to keep in touch with the latest release dates and book gossip.
Hunt and Prey
Kelsey and her unpredictable sidekicks return to entertain readers in the Kelsey’s Burden Series, a crime drama with heart, laughter, and the darkest of villains.
KELSEY HARRISON
As Kelsey’s relationship with Grady continues to set off sparks—and not the good kind—Kelsey receives a distress call from Miami. After scrambling to pack, Kelsey and family fly south, preparing for a war with an unknown enemy.
CHARLIE HARRISON
Lone wolf Detective Charlie Harrison is not thrilled with her newly assigned bodyguards. But even she can’t ignore the quickly escalating danger surrounding her. Add in a brutal double homicide—the victims being people she knew—and her world is quickly unraveling.
Together, the Harrison girls and their friends must divide and conquer to battle corruption, assassination attempts, and worse—broken hearts.
Sunny Miami, here we come. Bring on the heat!
Hunt and Prey
Kelsey’s Burden Crime Drama: Amazon Series Page
All books by Kaylie Hunter (to find standalone novels): Author Page
Special Thanks:
Special thanks to the following individuals for helping me get this book across the finish line and into the hands of readers:
Judy G., and Kathie Z. for your beta reading and proofreading assistance. Your feedback is appreciated beyond words! Thank you. Favorite writing blooper caught: “…I could imagine him on the other end of the phone, shanking his head.”
Editing and proofreading services by Sheryl Lee via BooksGoSocial.
About the Author
Kaylie Hunter lives in Michigan where she writes character-driven crime dramas with elements of sass, sizzle, and humor embedded within dark twisty plots. Her preferred writing style is first-person, rewarding her readers with an over-the-shoulder viewpoint as her tough-as-nails heroines battle against the most powerful and villainous of the criminal world.
To connect with me on Facebook: @BooksByKaylie
Hearts and Aces (Kelsey's Burden Series Book 7) Page 36
