Page 98 of Reckless Chance

“But you could have been killed. Next time, take backup.”

“What’s this about next time? I don’t plan to be involved in any future murder investigations,” I chastise, playfully slapping him on the shoulder.

“Good point. Neither do I. Let’s focus our energy on enjoyable pursuits.”

“What do you have in mind that will avoid my bruises?”

“I know a safe spot to direct my attention. Part those gorgeous legs and let me show you.”

He does exactly that.

54

SEAN

Lowri and I are standing in the Athena’s VIP driveway, waiting for Justin to pick us up in the limo.

She’s beautiful as always. Her burgundy business suit and cream, cowl-neck, satin blouse show off the confident lawyer that she is.

While she’s busy checking emails on her phone, I’m straightening my shirt cuffs. It’s a habit I picked up from my dad and has become a pet peeve of mine. The cuffs look best when they have three-fourths of an inch showing past my jacket sleeves. When my fingers brush across Dad’s cufflinks, it reminds me of his strength and his belief in me. That reminder is reassuring today.

The last few days have gone by in a blur. Lowri has been catching up on her work while I’ve been busy in my office. As far as she knows, I was way behind on hotel and casino business due to the murder investigation. While somewhat true, I’ve been busy with plans for today as well.

When we found her tied up, bruised, and in pain, I was both relieved and horrified. Her life was put at risk because of me and my hotel. If she had been killed, I’d have been devastated. Givena second chance, I was determined to get this right, so I called my lawyer first and then Evan.

As we climb into the back of the limo, Lowri says, “I thought we needed to wait two more months for the annulment. What changed?”

“My lawyer did more research. He learned that the judge can issue an annulment that takes effect on a future date. That makes our case a little different than the norm, so the judge insisted on a hearing. He had an opening on his calendar today, so my lawyer grabbed it.”

“But what about the Athena? I don’t want you to lose it.”

“I won’t. If we stay together until the official date, then I won’t lose the hotel.”

“Okay. Let’s get this over with then.”

My lawyer is waitingfor us in the courthouse lobby. “Hello, Sean. Ms. Upton, I’m Gabe Santini. It’s a pleasure to meet you. The judge is expecting us.”

We enter the judge’s empty courtroom. His clerk is there to greet us. “The judge will see you in his chambers. Please follow me.”

“What’s the deal? Why isn’t the hearing in the courtroom?” Lowri asks.

“I requested privacy, if possible. Ideally, we’ll avoid the tabloids catching wind of our situation.”

“Thanks for that.”

We walk through a door at the back left side of the courtroom and enter a beautiful office with dark wood paneling and walls of books. A black-robed man sits behind a massive desk.

We stand before the desk, and our lawyer says, “Good afternoon, your honor. I’m Gabe Santini, here on behalf of Mr. Cartwright and Ms. Upton. They are seeking to annul their marriage.”

The judge nods, saying, “I have a few questions for the parties. According to the papers that were filed, you two did not intend to be married. Ms. Upton, is that accurate?”

“That’s correct, your honor,” Lowri says in her all-business, lawyerly voice. I’m not sure why that turns me on, but it does.

“Then how did you end up married?”

“We participated in an event to set a world record for the most wedding photos of couples taken at the same place on the same night,” Lowri explains.

“So, you were aware that you were having wedding photos taken?”