Page 46 of Wickedly Played (Checkmate #1)

Stella

This has single-handedly been the worst few weeks of my life without Serena. I should never have pushed her into admitting her feelings. If I had just kept my mouth shut, none of that shit would have happened.

What’s worse?

Deacon knows I’m not in love with him. I should just let him go. I’ve been using him as a distraction from the messiness of my heart. He doesn’t deserve to be strung along in a relationship that won’t go anywhere more than the place where it is at right now.

When Max called me to ask to meet them at one of Serena’s favorite restaurants as a surprise, I all but shrieked from happiness. I’ve missed her so much. There have been too many times I have wanted to pick up the phone to call her and let her know about Joey.

Serena’s face lights up the minute she sees me at the table. Her blonde pony is flying a little in the air as she struts over to me, wraps her arms around me, then kisses my lips. “I have missed you so much,” she murmurs against my lips.

“I’ve missed you, too,” I cry against her neck. Her perfume is something of comfort for me, and I inhale her scent. I worried I wouldn’t smell it again. I worried she wouldn’t come back from what happened to her.

The truth is, I know a lot more about what Serena went through than she probably realizes.

I look past Max to see the imposing figure of Joey.

Of course, he would be here. After the attack on Serena, and her father still alive, I know Max’s Family is still figuring out the next steps.

I’m not stupid when it comes to mob affairs.

Joey has been Serena’s second bodyguard since she has been with Max.

Joey stops in front of me with his eyes eating me alive. I remember what it was like to bask under his attention. I miss him more than I can even admit.

But he just fucking left me.

“Serena, I’m so sorry!” I cry.

She brushes my hair back in the way she always does. “Don’t be. I’m sorry, too. We’re okay. I know we’re going to be okay.”

For the next hour, we catch up. Serena’s new level of happiness is addictive and infectious. I love it. Our conversation flows as if nothing has changed, and we are still the same.

“Stella!”

My body tenses at hearing Deacon’s voice fill the restaurant.

“What is he doing here, Stel?” Joey demands.

My eyes cut to him and then back at Deacon. This is going to end horribly wrong. I can feel my body tense with anxiety. Everything was going well until it all went terribly wrong.

“What the fuck is he doing here, Stella?” Joey barks again with his gun drawn.

“What’s going on?” Max orders his body to shield Serena.

I’m not able to get a word out when sheer and utter panic ensues when gunshots rattle through the restaurant.

And just like that, everything I have tried to hide has come back to light.