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Wait. Who the fuck was that?

“Madeline Thorne, you’re extremely slow.” A man I had never seen before was waiting for her.

“Noah, my heels are for style, not speed.” She walked straight to his side.

Wrapping his arm around her. Wait. She was leaving with him. I frowned, watching them at the valet.

“What kind of wanker has a convertible?” I muttered, watching him lift her into his car.

“Don’t you own multiple convertibles?” Bas grinned, “actually we’ve seen you put Maddy into a convertible just like that.”

I shoved his hand off my shoulder. At least he was back to his normal self.

“If a dysfunctional couple had to have a picture. I’d put Maddy and you next to it.”

“Fuck off, we’re just friends.”

“Sure, cause matching your shoes to her heels is just what friends do.” Bas laughed. “Vince, who picked your rings tonight?”

It made her happy when our outer soles were the same color.

I looked at my hands. Pinky ring I had always worn, those two rings I had worn every day since she put them on a few years ago and the other two, well she chose them for tonight.

My left hand always matches her jewelry for the night.

“How much do you think he had to drink?” I looked between Bas and Rome.

Was something funny? Why were they grinning like that?

“Alright, we’re here.” Luca appeared with Nik. “Did we miss something?”

“Nothing, let’s go.” Bas started to walk off with Luca

“I’ll meet you guys there.”

“Like hell you will,” Rome shook his head, “you aren’t going to playback the security footage to count how many drinks that man has had. Loosen up brother. She can take care of herself.”

He didn’t get it. What if that wanker is over the limit and crashes the car, killing the only person I care about other than them?

I nodded, “Fine let’s go.” I’ll just playback the footage remotely and count his drinks. If he had more than one. He would be breathing through a tube when I found him.

CHAPTER 5

Madeline

Walking around the bend down to the creek. As expected, Rome was standing at the bank, staring at the water.

“It’s rather cold this morning.” I reached for the tree, my platform boots slipping. Holding in any comment about sliding to my death. Considering the circumstances, after all.

He looked over his shoulder. Clear annoyance in his eyes. Well, he would have to get over it. Only my own death would stop me from pestering him on her anniversary.

Watching the muscle in his jaw tighten, pretending to ignore me as I slipped again. Oh. Fuck it. I picked the wrong boots.

“Maddy, I’m fine.”

Staring at his broad back. I could think of many ways to describe him. Fine wouldn’t be one of them.

Standing at the tree, holding on for dear life to a branch. While glaring at the mud, which was threatening to ruin my light teal dress.