Because of the ladies and their love to hang out, that was quite often.
“I appreciate that.” I rolled my neck trying to release the tension. “I finally pulled my head out of my ass when it came to Lake and I’m making a future with her.”
He gave my shoulder a slap and then dropped his hand. “Glad you’re going after what you want finally. I haven’t seen you happy like you are with those two girls around.”
That was because I’d never felt like I did now.
They change everything for the better.
“I know and that’s why I need to figure this shit out so they are safe.” I raked my hands through my hair. “There are no leads. Lake has been to hundreds of calls so there is no easy way to narrow down who might be mad at her and that dark highway certainly didn’t have any cameras on it for us to go off of.”
The more I talked about it, the more my anger started to burn inside me again. Fuck, I was going to have to go at the bag again.
“Keep her close, we will figure this out and the fucker will mess up,” Lyric said.
Just then Paxton walked in.
“This might make you feel a bit better.” He had something in his hand and held it out to me as he approached. “Not sure how your lady will take it though.”
Taking off the gloves I had on, I dropped them to the mat and took the box from his hand. I opened the top and peered inside to find a pretty impressive looking necklace. It was the same one I saw all the ladies wear and after a second it dawned on me what was going on.
“Capri insisted that your woman had one too. She said that she and the other women were going to give it to her at their famous sleepover they are planning but that Lake could use it now with everything going on.” He winced at the reminder he just put back in my head. “Sorry. My wife said it was also perfect timing with your date tonight. You can’t go empty handed.” He gave me a wink.
It looked like an exquisite piece of jewelry that I’d love to be responsible for giving to Lake, but the truth was it was really from Capri and the girls. A sterling silver heart-shaped necklace with sparkling diamonds around the outer edge. But it was a lot more than that with a built-in tracking device and one I was happy that she would have so I’d definitely do the honors.
Like all the guys, Paxton had connections and he worked some magic to get his wife one of these before she’d gone missing. What a blessing that was that she had it on her so her husband could find her. Once she had one, Capri had insisted everyone get one and handed them out like candy to all her friends.
I was touched she had included Lake.
“You’re right. It does make me feel a little better. Let’s hope my girl sees it the same way,” I told Paxton.
He chuckled. “Well if you can’t convince her it’s a good idea, I’m sure the ladies will get the job done.”
Paxton was right again. I wasn’t sure there was anything that group of women couldn’t do once they set their mind to it.
I reached out my hand to shake his. “Thank you.”
As he grabbed my palm he said, “Thank my wife. She adores you and we will never forget what you did for her that night at Alley’s.”
When I started to open my mouth he held up his hand to stop me.
“Don’t you dare say it. You may see it as doing your job but we see it completely different and I owe you so much. My wife and daughter are alive because of you.”
Lyric slapped me on the back. “Listen to the man or he will sic Capri on you and you know you won’t win that argument.”
We all busted up laughing and I felt the tension seep from my body.
I was ready for my date with Lake.
It would be the first of many.
I raisedmy right hand to knock and laughed at myself over how nervous I was.
This was Lake.
But maybe that was exactly why I was feeling so keyed up. I wanted everything to be perfect. She wasn’t just any girl. I’d never met a single female in my life that I wanted to share all my secrets with as best friends do or that drove me so crazy that I needed her in my bed every night.
Except for Lake.
