“We can’t,” Layne interrupted. “If we increase security, it might tip Jack off, and he will know Tensley shared information, and it will put her at a greater risk.”
“He’s right, and the best way to get to me is through all of you.” I inhaled deeply, attempting to rid my shoulders and neck of the stress I’d been carrying. After taking a long drink of my beer, I leaned my head back and closed my eyes. “From what I can tell, Jack wants to check in on his daughter. If he were going to hurt me, he would have already. He had complete access to me the night he was at our house. After I returned from working at the library, no one else was home except me. But listen, we can’t discuss this with anyone. You both have to promise. I mean, Michael, Franklin, and Marilyn know the results. Franklin is going to pull camera footage of me working at the library the night Jack was photographed on our property. It should clear me of any involvement, but both of you swear to me that none of this leaves this room. Ever.” I stared at Benji then Avery.
“Promise.” Avery squeezed my knee. “But you’ll talk to me about it if you need to, right? I don’t want you to think you have to go through this alone because you’re trying to take care of us.”
“Ditto.” Benji wheeled back to the front of the couch. His eyes were deeply troubled. He didn’t even know the half of it.
I peeked over at Layne, but he had remained calm during the entire conversation. I had a sneaking suspicion that whatever he had figured out, he’d already put it into motion. If that was the case, I loved him even more for it.
“I’m so, so sorry,” Avery whispered. Tears filled her eyes. “I can’t imagine being a foster kid and living through the shit you’ve lived through, only having hope that maybe your dad would show up and remove you from that hell. Now to find out he’s wanted for murder …” Her voice trailed off. “You deserve so much better than that.”
My chest tightened with her words. Avery had always protected me even when I hadn’t needed it, but there was no question in my mind that she loved and cared about me. Some people were friends, but some friends were worth dying for. If it came down to it, I would gladly put my life on the line if it meant that Avery, Benji, and Layne were safe. My heart would never beat the same if anything happened to them.
“What about a movie to lighten the mood?” Benji grabbed the remote off the entertainment center and turned on the TV.
My phone buzzed in my back pocket. “Well, that’s odd. It’s after ten. No one calls me this late.” I tapped the green button. “Hello?”
“Hey, Tensley, it’s Matthew at Barney’s. Someone just turned in your driver’s license to me. You must have dropped it last night when you were here.”
“Oh jeez! Thank you. I hadn’t even realized it was missing. I’ll be right over.”
“I’ll keep it in the office for safekeeping until you get here. I’ll see you in a few.” Matthew disconnected our call.
“It was Matthew at Barney’s. I accidentally dropped my license when we were there, so I need to go grab it. You guys can start a movie without me, though.”
Layne stood immediately. “I’ll go with you.”
“Thanks.” I stood and stretched. “Does anyone want anything? A fifth of vodka? Cranberry juice?” I grinned.
“We have all that here,” Benji replied, chuckling. “I’ll make us all drinks after you get back.”
“Sounds good.” I kissed Avery and Benji on the cheek. “Thank you for being there for me tonight. I love you guys.”
Benji winked at me. “Girl, please. I’ve always got your back.”
“Ditto,” Avery said, laughing. “Love you too. You two hurry back, and no side trips for a backseat quickie.”
Layne chuckled and flashed me a seductive grin. “Now that you mention it …”
I playfully smacked him on the arm, grateful he was comfortable enough to joke around with my friends.
“Later.” I waved and took Layne’s hand.
“If you’ll give me a minute, I’ll warm up the car for us.” Layne grabbed our coats from the hall closet and handed mine to me. He opened the front door and disappeared into the frigid November air. Within a few minutes, he pulled up, and I hurried to the warmth of his vehicle.
“Thank you.” I pulled my coat around me a little tighter. “It smells like snow.”
“Do you like the snow?” Layne pulled out of the driveway and headed toward Barney’s.
“I do.” A black Mercedes followed a few car lengths behind us. “Do you?”
“I’ve not seen a lot of it, but I’m looking forward to it. You can snuggle up to me and we can watch it fall together. That sounds really nice, actually.”
“Mmm. It sounds romantic. Maybe I can make my kick-ass hot chocolate too.”
“I love hot chocolate. It’s the best of both worlds, hot and chocolate.” Layne chuckled at himself.
I giggled. “Oh my God. That was a horrible joke.” We continued to make plans for the winter as he drove.
Ten minutes later, Layne parked in front of Barney’s and turned off the car. “I’m going in with you.” He wasn’t asking.
“Thank you, but I don’t think there’s any concern that Jack will show up here twice. He knows the cops are looking for him. Plus it would be pretty stupid, and Jack is brilliant and calculating.” I leaned over, gave Layne a kiss, then hopped out of the vehicle.
In a few quick strides, Layne opened the front door of Barney’s. A rush of heat and music greeted us. I spotted Matthew through the crowd of people and tugged on Layne’s hand. We walked together to the bar area.
“Hey,” I said to Matthew. “Thank you so much for holding on to my license for me. I can’t believe I dropped it. It must have fallen out of my pocket when I pulled out my phone.”
“No problem. Glad I could help.” He flashed me a sexy smile, then narrowed his gaze at Layne.
“Did you say it was in the office?” I needed to get things moving before those two went at it. Honestly, I could understand Layne being a little bit jealous, but they seemed to seriously dislike each other. Maybe they’d had words I wasn’t aware of. I just didn’t get it.
Matthew signaled for a waitress. “Hey, Lisa. Can you watch the bar for me? I’ll be back in a minute.”
A tall, curvy blonde I’d never seen before joined him. I didn’t miss her heated gaze traveling over my boyfriend. What is wrong with people? Can’t she tell we’re together? We were holding hands, after all.
We followed Matthew down the hall and toward the back of the building. He turned right into a small office and closed the door behind us. “Man, I know music is necessary for a bar, but it’s so loud, we can’t hear each other talk. I hate yelling at people.” He smiled. “I’ve got it right over here.” He walked around the messy desk and opened the drawer. “Over there, Tensley.”
It took me a minute to register what he’d just done.
“I don’t have all fucking night. Move!” Matthew pointed the gun at us, his expression turning cold. “Layne, hands behind your head.”