“I need to go.”
“O-okay,” she said, avoiding eye contact.
“This shit isn’t over, Jocelyn.”
She didn’t say anything, and I decided to drop the issue for the time being. I’d meet up with Carter and listen to Kyle Rogers tell the truth, or I’d beat the damn confession out of him. I was so pissed, I hoped he held out and forced me to beat this ass.
I didn’t care how I did it. I’d get the truth out of him.
I cupped Jocelyn’s face in my hands and kissed her forehead. “Weare just getting started. You might as well learn right now. I’m not letting shit, not even your fears, stand in the way.”
I dropped my hands and turned to head to the bedroom to change. As I left her condo, a deep sense of foreboding invaded my body. The feeling came on so strong that my legs felt heavier with each passing step.
Chapter 31
Jocelyn
“Is everything all right?”Marjorie asked as she sat down at the table.
We’d met for an early morning breakfast at her request. It had been weeks since the night of the gala. I remembered feeling almost ecstatic to pass on the news to Marjorie that Kelvin was very much in love with her and faithful. They’d since gone on the surprise trip he’d planned for her.
I thought back on that night and remembered how joyful I’d felt with Don. Kelvin’s words about my not being able to keep my eyes off him came to mind.
We’d spent that night at a bonfire with the rest of his squad. The mood had been light and cheerful despite the danger that still surrounded the men of Rescue Four.
It was that same night that Eric and Angela had made a special appearance with baby Ara. They’d asked Don to be the baby’s godfather.
My heart had nearly burst at the seams when I saw him holding the baby in his arms for the first time. He’d told her parents he was honored to be her godfather.
But, as I sat across from Marjorie, thinking over what happened just that morning, I felt as if I couldn’t breathe. It was challenging to look Marjorie in the eyes because the look of sheer bliss was almost blinding.
All it made me do was hate myself even more. I loathed the way Don had looked at me that morning. It’d gone from love, to hopeful, to pleading, to pissed off. Those eyes I loved so damn much tore at my soul.
“Jocelyn?”
“Yes, I’m sorry, what?” I looked up, blinking, mostly to blink away the tears forming in my eyes.
“I asked if you’re all right. You look heartbroken.”
My shoulders slumped. “It’s nothing. Another case, you know?” I dabbed at my eyes with the cloth napkin and injected my voice with enthusiasm I didn’t feel. “What are you having for breakfast?”
She sat back in her chair with a pleasant smile on her face. “Something light. I swear, I haven’t had much of an appetite since Kelvin and I got back from Disneyworld. I’ve been walking on cloud nine since then.”
Her smile widened, and she got this mischievous look in her eyes.
“What?”
“I can’t hold it in any longer. He proposed!” She jutted her arm across the table. On her left ring finger sat the most gorgeous, canary diamond I’d ever seen up close. It was heart-shaped and outlined by smaller, white diamonds.
“That’s stunning, Marjorie. Congratulations.” Even as my own heart tore in two, I was genuinely happy for her.
She lowered her hand. “I’m still a little in shock that he asked me even after I told him the truth about hiring you.”
“You told him?” I asked, surprised.
“I had to. After listening to that recording you sent of all the beautiful things he’d said about me, I didn’t want anything to remain unsaid between us. You know what I mean?”
I’d spliced pieces of my and Kelvin’s conversation together for Marjorie to listen to, leaving out the parts about the surprise.
