I step out and the dance floor comes into view. I see the back of Tyson standing by the main bar, dressed in a new pair of dark gray slacks and a black button-up. Two police officers stand in front of him. One guy has his hands on his belt. The other hangs onto the top of his shirt, gripping his collar.
“Lake?” the one with his hands on his shirt says when my eyes meet mine.
“Collin,” I say, smiling.
Tyson spins around at the sound of my voice, and the look on his face has my smile dropping.
“What the hell are you doing here, babe?” Collin asks, looking me up and down. The flirtatious smile on his face tells me he has no idea that I’m now a married woman.
Before I can answer, the other cop clears his throat. “Can we stay on track here?”
I walk over to stand next to Tyson and ask, “What’s going on?”
“Ma’am,” the one I don’t know speaks, holding out a picture to me. “Have you seen this woman?”
I take it in my hand and recognize her instantly. “I—”
“She has not.” Tyson answers for me, yanking it from my hand and handing it back to the cop. “I’ve already told you. The woman hasn’t been here.”
I look up at him, confused as to why he would lie. Maybe he hasn’t seen her here.
“Lake, is this true? You’ve never seen her?” Collin asks, his eyes are now hard on mine. As if he knows the truth.
I lick my lips nervously and nod once. “Yeah. I’ve never seen her.” The lie burns my mouth as much as Tyson’s belt stung my ass.
“I think—”
“My wife and I have answered your questions. You may leave now.” Tyson interrupts the other cop.
Collin’s eyes drop to my left hand, and they widen when they see my ring. I feel like Tyson said that on purpose. Once again, making it known that I’m his. Another pissing contest. Why can he do that, but I can’t? It’s a two-way street. I mean, he hasn’t openly flirted with other women in front of me, but he also didn’t deny fucking other women last night when I confronted him.
“Here’s my card if you hear anything.” The cop holds one out to Tyson, but he shoves his hands in the pockets of his dress slacks.
I take it. “Thank you, and we will.” Dropping my eyes to it, I avoid Collin’s stare. Instead, I watch their black shoes turn and hear Tyson lead them out the front exit. I don’t look up until I hear him locking the door.
He comes over to me, yanks the card from my hand, and rips it to pieces before shoving them into his pocket.
“Why did you lie to them?” I demand.
“Blackout doesn’t cooperate with cops. Never have, never will.”
So he did know she was here? “You mademelie.” I fist my hands.
He turns to face me. “You chose to lie.”
Like he gave me a choice. “I was about to tell them that I saw her here last night when you interrupted me. Not letting me.”
“I’ll look into it,” he says.
“You’re not a cop,” I snap.
“Speaking of cops. How did Collin know you?”
I cross my arms over my chest, refusing to answer. He smirks, at my silence and my thighs tighten in anticipation as to what he’s thinking.
Reaching down to his slacks, he slowly undoes his belt, and my heart starts to hammer in my chest. “I dated him.” I rush out, and his hands stop. No matter how turned on it made me last night, I can’t take another right now. It’s still too sensitive.
“Dated him?” he repeats slowly.
