Page 129

My eyes start to prick, and I cough, blinking hard to keep the tears at bay. Fuck’s sake. Alfie Adams has really turned on the tap and refused to turn it back off again.

“I can’t believe you’re here,” she murmurs against my chest.

She drops her legs down, and once she’s on the floor, she peeks up at me through her wet lashes. I’m not the only one with waterworks.

“You are late, though,” she teases.

“Late? I thought you were on a date!”

“Yeah,” she says sheepishly. “I thought that might get you moving quicker.”

Realization hits me. I’ve been played. Danny lied about the date with the cowboy although I know him giving her his number is true. I shake my head, relief flooding through me.

“I’ve had a bad influence on you,” I murmur.

“Maybe...Or maybe I’ve always been a little bad,” she flirts, and the knot deep under my ribs loosens for the first time in weeks. I can finally breathe again.

Before I can respond, she’s dragging me over to a group of people, including Nicole and Josh.

“Everyone, this is Austin,” she says, plonking down on the hard plastic seat.

The group cautiously mumbles their hellos before the first person, the brunette with shoulder-length hair picks up her ball. I think her name is Marianne from what Luca’s told me in his report. Tough crowd. I guess they’ve heard something about what’s happened, although I highly doubt it’s the truth.What is my little Killer up to?My name is up on the list, ready to bowl, along with everyone else's. They really have been waiting.

I know Nicole and Josh. The redhead must be Blakely. The only guy I don’t recognize is a tall, brown-haired man whois sitting next to Nicole. I glance up at the screen and see the name Mike and realize it’s Nicole’s brother. That must be why Josh is practically inching away from Nicole in the adjacent seat.

I snake my arm around Olivia and lean down.

“We need to talk, Killer.” I keep my voice low in a way that I know makes her squirm. I spot the telltale signs of goosebumps flooding her neck, and I smile.

“Oh, we will. But first, you’re going to have to accept your punishment.”

Marianne knocks down another two pins, and Olivia is off her chair, whooping horrendously loud.

“Punishment? I like the sound of that.” I wink as she parks back down next to me.

“Good. We've got three games to play. I know how much you love group activities and loud noises.”

I smile. It’s hardly a punishment to be in her presence again, regardless of the circumstances, but if she wants to play this game, I’ll play.

“I didn’t thinkgroup activitieswere your thing either, Killer. But if you really want to share, I’d do it for you.”

Her whole body jolts. “Really?”

Her face sinks, and I know we’re not playing anymore. I can’t drag this out.

“No, Olivia. I was playing. I don’t want to share you with anyone. Fuck, I don’t want to share you for a game of bowling.”

“Three games of bowling,” she whispers, and I roll my eyes.

“Yes, two games of bowling.”

“Three!” she laughs.

“Three, and then I am literally carrying you out of here. Got it?”

She grins, putting her hand out to shake. Instead, I stand, grab her hand, and pull her in.

“We only seal our deals with kisses, Killer,” I whisper against her lips before pressing mine gently against hers.