Hard Ever After

by Laura Kaye

  Outside, they found two massive stretch Hummer limousines waiting for them. Beckett had arranged their transportation for the evening through one of the companies he had experience working with—­the cars were bulletproof and the drivers were prior military and armed. Nick appreciated the hell out of the gesture.

  As the men headed for one vehicle and the women for the other, Nick pulled Becca into his arms. “Have fun, Sunshine. I love you.”

  “Love you, too, Nick.” This kiss was softer, sweeter. Which was good, since all their friends started giving them shit.

  “Yeah, yeah,” Nick said, flipping the guys the finger. “Before you go, I have something for you,” he murmured, then slipped a little wrapped box into Becca’s hand. “Wear this and think of me.”

  “What is it?” she asked.

  “I’m not telling,” he said. Finding this present had been the other good thing he’d accomplished while she’d been at work.

  With a little wave and a big grin, Becca turned to catch up with the women, her skirt twirling out and showing a dangerous amount of thigh. God, she looked gorgeous.

  When she was safely tucked inside the Hummer and it pulled away from the curb, Nick got into his own limo and Shane pushed a fresh glass of whiskey into his hand. “Gentlemen, start your livers,” Shane called out, loosening his tie and raising a glass of his own.

  A round of laughter as everyone drank and the limo started moving. Colored lights ran around the tops of the leather seats, and a fully stocked bar filled one whole side.

  Marz sat forward in his seat, a mischievous grin on his face. “If the ocean was vodka and I was a duck, I’d swim to the bottom and drink it all up. But the ocean’s not vodka and I’m not a duck, so pass me the bottle and—­”

  “Let’s get fucked up!” they all finished.

  “Fuckin’ A,” Marz said with a laugh.

  Beckett rolled up the sleeves of his dress shirt and held up his glass. With a sly grin, he said, “I’ll keep mine short and sweet. May all your ups and downs be between the sheets.”

  “Hear fucking hear,” Nick said, taking a drink and laughing at the blush filling Charlie’s cheeks. He and Jer were in for a rude awakening—­Nick’s teammates were fucking fish, and it’d been a damn long time since they’d had a night like this to just cut loose. Hell, it’d been way more than a year since they’d last done it together.

  “All right,” Easy said, holding up his glass. “I’ll play.”

  “Yes sir, E,” Marz said, grinning.

  The guy smiled, and it made Nick realize how much Easy had changed in the few months they’d all been back together. A few weeks into their investigation, he’d admitted to them that he’d been badly depressed and battling suicidal thoughts. They’d all been gutted to know how bad Easy had been silently struggling, but they’d banded together around him, and Shane and Emilie had made sure he’d gotten the medicine and therapy he’d needed to fight the demons in his head. “Here’s to a long life, and a merry one. A quick death, and an easy one. A pretty girl,” he said with a wink at Nick, “and a loyal one. A stiff drink, and another one.” Another round of bottoms up. At this rate, they were going to lose every dollar they owned at the casino, and Nick didn’t give a shit.

  “I’m not good at this,” Charlie said with a sheepish smile. “But I’ll give it a go.” Jeremy grinned at him as Marz clapped him on the back. “To Nick, if you hurt my sister, I’ll kill you in your sleep.”

  For a moment, the words hung there, then everyone burst into guffaws. Yeah, Charlie Merritt fit in just fine.

  “No worries. I’ll fucking drink to that, Charlie,” Nick said, laughing. He took a big gulp of whiskey, enjoying the bite as it went down. “Okay, I’ve got something to say. First, to nights and friends I’ll never forget.” Holding his glass high, he looked each man in the eye. “And second, to our enemies.”

  “Fuck you!” they all called out.

  “Amen,” Nick said. But tonight wasn’t a night to worry about enemies. Tonight was a night for celebrating the good things in life. And if Becca hadn’t already done it, being with all these guys was making him realize exactly how much good Nick had.

  “OOH, I HAVE a fun idea,” Kat said, pulling out her phone. “Everyone take either a cleavage shot or an upskirt shot and text it to your guy. Make ’em remember what they’re missing out on tonight.” She tugged down the V-­neck of her emerald green satin dress and took a picture of herself. A few flicks of her fingers, and she said, “There. Go on, now. Make ’em sweat.”

  Becca could only laugh as she lifted her skirt and took a picture of the virginal white panties she wore, complete with glittering sequins. They’d made her feel very bridal. “I love this idea,” she said, shooting off a text to Nick. Then again, she’d already been three glasses of champagne into Happyville before they’d left the restaurant, and Kat had given her a fourth when she’d gotten into the limo. So she was prone to love just about any idea just then. “Ooh, I’m sending Nick one of each so he can see how beautiful this necklace is on me,” she said, taking a shot down the top of her dress but making sure to get the incredible yellow diamond sun-­shaped pendant he’d given her into the frame. She loved him so freaking much.

  “Oh, my God,” Sara said. “I have no cleavage to speak of, ­people. But Shane did like these red panties I have on.” Awkwardly and with a lot of blushing, she managed to take a picture up the skirt of her little red dress. “You, on the other hand, have great boobs, Jenna,” she said to her sister.

  “I already sent mine,” Jenna said, looking very pleased with herself. She’d worn a form-­fitting black dress that gave her the most enviable hourglass shape. On Becca’s last day off, they’d gone shopping for new dresses for tonight and the rehearsal dinner, and all the time Becca had gotten to spend with these women was making her fall in love with them even more. She had women she was friendly with at the hospital, but it had been since nursing school that she’d last had truly close friends. Best friends. Now she had four of them.

  “I need help with mine,” Emilie said, grinning. She handed her phone to Kat, who sat next to her. Laughing, Emilie turned and got on all fours on the seat. She pulled up the bottom of her gold dress just enough to reveal a really tiny pair of satin black panties.

  “I knew I liked you,” Kat said, taking the picture. “And why am I not surprised that Derek is an ass man?”

  “Oh, my. This is going to be a night of TMI, isn’t it?” Sara asked, sipping at her champagne.

  “Yes,” Emilie said, sitting down again. “But if I’ve discovered anything, it’s that life is too damn short and uncertain to hold back.”

  “I’ll drink to that,” Becca said, draining her glass.

  And that’s when all their phones started blowing up. Laughter filled the limo as they all read the guys’ reactions to their selfies. Becca couldn’t stop grinning—­or fantasizing—­about Nick’s reply.

  I’m going to tear those fucking things off with my teeth. Count on it.

  His reply to her second selfie made her all warm inside.

  You are so beautiful. My sunshine.

  “Okay, as much as I want to get you drunk, I also don’t want to see you sick.” Kat handed Becca a bottle of water and grabbed one for herself. “Drink this before you have any more champagne.”

  “I will. But why aren’t you drinking?” Becca asked. Kat hadn’t touched her champagne at dinner, and she was the only one of them without a drink now.

  “So I can take care of you,” Kat said. “Besides, I’m naturally high on life. Runs in the family. Well, at least with Jeremy and me, anyway.”

  Becca laughed. Kat and Nick were alike in so many ways, and their stubbornness often had them butting heads. By the time the limo pulled to a stop, Becca had dutifully followed orders and emptied the bottle. “I’m so excited to see what we’re doing,” she said. The girls had i
nsisted on keeping it a secret.

  The driver, an older man named Tony, whose military bearing reminded Becca of her father, opened the door. They spilled out onto the street, and Kat wrapped her arm through Becca’s as they walked up to the doors of a posh salon and spa. “We’re getting completely pampered. Anything you want. The places is all ours for the night.”

  “Oh, my God,” Becca said. “This is the coolest thing ever.” And she didn’t know the half of it until they were inside. There was more champagne, a table full of chocolate-­covered strawberries and Godiva truffles, and a mountain of presents.

  “You never got to have a shower,” Emilie said. “So consider tonight your combination shower and bachelorette party.”

  Becca was completely overwhelmed by the thoughtfulness and perfection of the whole thing. “You shouldn’t have done all this,” she said. “But I’m really, really glad you did.”

  They all traded their dresses and heels for robes and slippers and settled in for pedicures. One of the ladies from the spa kept Becca in a continuous stream of drinks and treats and presents. So many presents. A gorgeous lingerie set for her wedding night. A big basket of body lotions and spa products and makeup. A set of pillow cases that read Mr. Right and Mrs. Always Right. A trio of crystal picture frames. A happily ever after wish jar with their names on it to be put out for ­people to fill at their wedding. A pair of red satin panties with the words You got lucky on the crotch. Sparkling, drop diamond earrings. A beautiful framed print that had Becca and Nick’s names, their wedding date, and the words And they lived happily ever after.

  “I love everything so much,” Becca said as the woman put the finishing touches on her purple toe polish. “Not that long ago, I had almost no one in my life. My parents were gone. Charlie had distanced himself. And I threw myself into work just to fill the void. Now, I can’t believe everything I have. I’m so grateful for each and every one of you.”

  “I’ve never had friends like this before,” Sara said, blinking fast. “Sometimes I’m afraid that I’m dreaming and I’ll wake up.”

  “It’s not a dream, Sara,” Jenna said. “What happened is that you woke up from the nightmare. This is your reality now.”

  “Oh, God, you guys are going to make me cry,” Emilie said. “I think we need more champagne. And chocolate.”

  Kat’s pedicure was already done, so she brought the bottle around and refilled everyone’s glasses. In all, Becca was treated to a pedicure, a manicure, and a mini facial, and she had her eyebrows shaped. She hadn’t felt so relaxed in forever. No doubt everything Nick had learned earlier in the day helped, and for the first time since she’d returned to work, she felt hopeful.

  It was after eleven by the time they were all dressed again and had the presents and leftovers packed up to take home. Tony carried everything out to the Hummer for them, then Becca noticed him talking quietly with Kat.

  “Is everything okay?” Becca asked, joining them at the front door of the spa.

  “Yes, Miss Merritt,” Tony said. “There’s a man hanging around down the block who’s drunk and belligerent. He threw a bottle at a passing car earlier. And he gave me a little bit of guff when I asked him to move away from the Hummer. He left without incident, but I don’t want any of you stepping outside until we’re ready to get in the vehicle and depart.”

  Through the haze of champagne and sugar, Becca’s gut clenched. “Okay, of course.”

  “Don’t worry,” Kat said. “It’s just a precaution.”

  When the other women emerged from the bathroom, Tony said, “Ladies, I’d like you to move directly into the limo once you’re outside, please.” He went out first, paused as he opened the door, and waved them out.

  A half block down the street, a tall, thin man wearing too-­big pants and an oversized black hoodie with the hood up skulked in a circle, his arms waving and his body gesticulating like he was having an argument. From this distance, Becca couldn’t make out the man’s face, but she couldn’t deny the relief she felt at the fact that the man was way too thin to be Woodson, who’d been bulky and muscular. Not that she should be worrying about Woodson. Nick’s research today really had made her feel a lot better.

  Kat bustled Becca into the limo, then climbed in after. As the other women got in, Becca could just make out the man shouting.

  “You think you so fucking better than me!” he yelled, his voice full of drunken slur. “Well, you not! You not! And I’m gonna show you! I’m gonna show you!”

  The minute Emilie was in, Tony had the door secured behind them, cutting off the rest of the tirade. Almost immediately, the engine started and the Hummer eased away from the curb.

  “Please don’t let that tarnish your night,” Kat said.

  Becca smiled. “Not at all. Nothing could tarnish this night. It was fantastic. Perfect. One of the best ever.” She meant it, too. And the whipped cream on her cake? In just a few minutes, it would be midnight. And that meant in just one week, Becca was going to be married to the love of her life.

  And absolutely nothing could ruin the amazing miracle of that.

  Chapter Nine

  “NICK,” CHEN SAID when he called on Wednesday morning. “I’ve got bad news.”

  “Shit, what is it?” Nick asked. When a guy like Chen said he had bad news, you knew it was bad.

  From the driver’s seat of his truck, Shane frowned, his expression full of questions. He parked the truck in front of the dry cleaner. They’d dropped Becca off at work a half hour before and were picking up their uniforms for the wedding.

  “Woodson’s in Baltimore. Has been for at least a week, maybe longer.”

  Nick’s gut dropped to the floor, his mind racing. A week? That meant he’d been in town long enough to be responsible for the stuffed animal, for Becca’s feeling of being watched at the mall, and maybe even for some of her sightings that they’d thought were impossible and chalked up to her PTSD. “Goddamnit. Are you sure? How do you know?”

  “I put a guy on the ground in South Carolina. He learned from some locals that Woodson had left town and traded vehicles with his uncle. I managed to track the uncle’s truck to a rest stop near Richmond, where another car had been reported stolen. That car was found abandoned in Baltimore County last week, which we just put together. Otherwise, the guy’s been way off the grid. No credit cards. No known vehicles. I have two undercover agents in the city looking for him from within the gang scene. As soon as we locate him, we’ll grab him.”

  “Fuck,” Nick said, the weight of this new development crushing in on him. “Thanks for letting me know. Keep me posted.” They hung up. “Head back to the hospital. Now,” Nick said.

  Shane had the truck in reverse and barreling out of the parking lot immediately. “Talk to me.”

  “Woodson’s in town. Has been for over a week. We got fucking outfoxed.” Nick dialed Becca. It went to voice mail. “Please call me as soon as you get this, Becca.” Ice sloshed into his gut as Nick filled Shane in.

  “No one stays off the grid like that unless they fear they’re being hunted. Or they don’t want to be noticed,” Shane said, running the tail end of a yellow light.

  Nick appreciated the hell out of his friend’s aggressive driving. He really did. “Given the situation in the city, it’s probably some of both in this case. But I’m a helluva lot more worried about the latter.”

  “Roger that,” Shane said, darting around other cars as much as he could.

  Nick tried Becca’s cell again. Voice mail. Damnit. He was about ready to crawl out of his skin. Flipping through the contacts on his phone, he found the number for Barry Coleman at the hospital.

  “Mr. Coleman, this is Nick Rixey, Becca Merritt’s fiancé,” Nick said, his knee bouncing as he scanned his gaze over the street as it flew by.

  “Nick, what can I do for you?”

  “I need you to find Becca and keep an
eye on her until I get there. She’s not answering her cell, but I know she might be with a patient. I just got word that Tyrell Woodson is back in town and has been for more than a week. Since we still don’t know who pulled the stunt with the stuffed animal, I’d feel better if Becca left early today until we get to the bottom of this and know what Woodson’s up to. It seems he took some pains to get back into the city unnoticed.”

  “I wish I had your connections for intel,” Coleman said.

  “Yeah, well I wish I didn’t need them.”

  “I hear you,” the other man said. “I’ll find Becca and stay with her until you get here.” They hung up.

  In another five minutes, Nick and Shane made it back to the hospital. Nick barely waited for Shane to bring the truck to a stop before he was opening the door. “Pick us up near the ER entrance. It’s more sheltered.”

  “You got it,” Shane said.

  Nick rushed across the plaza to the main entrance, his gaze scanning the streetscape, the crowd, the sea of faces. He let his guard down for five goddamned seconds, and this was what happened. Becca, potentially exposed to danger and completely unaware.

  Inside, he made his way to Coleman’s office. Relief flooded through him.

  Becca. Sitting across from Coleman at his desk. Her face was a shade too pale, but otherwise she was safe, sound, a fucking sight for sore eyes.

  “Nick,” she said, rising as soon as she saw him. “He’s back?”

  Nick cupped her face in his hands. “Yes, but Chen’s on it. Woodson won’t be free for long. Don’t worry, okay?”

  She gave him a doubtful look that was like a knife to the gut.

  Nick turned to Coleman. “Thanks for your help.” They shook hands.

  “Anything else you need, you just let me know,” the man said.

  Taking Becca’s hand in his, Nick led her to the main ER entrance, keeping back from the glass until he saw Shane’s big black truck pull into the drop-­off lane. “That’s our ride. Come on.”