Page 69 of Wine, Whiskey, & Lipstick 2

Ben studied Syntax’s body language. There weren’t any telltales, but he didn’t believe Syntax for a second. Ben had a feeling that he was the reason for all the bullshit that was happening around them. Ben couldn’t hide his skepticism, “Are you sure about that?”

Dillyn glanced between Ben and her mentor. It was clear Syntax didn’t like being challenged, and she didn’t blame Ben one bit for not trusting anyone. Still, she wanted to diffuse any negativity before it escalated and redirected the conversation. “I just met that man lying next to Melvin. So, it’s hard to tell if he was a friend or foe. He was just about to tell me something important when he was killed.”

“Do you think any man connected to Melvin could be your friend?” Syntax scoffed.

Dillyn couldn’t disagree with that assessment. While she didn’t think he was a friend, was he really a foe? Dillyn remembered the words he’d said about Syntax. They echoed inside her mind.He knows what they want. For the first time in Dillyn’s life, she wondered if Syntax was telling her the whole truth.

“Quickly, tell me exactly what he said?”

Dillyn did as Syntax asked. She told him everything she could remember.

Syntax listened intently, “Did he give you anything?”

Dillyn realized she was still gripping the manilla folder in one hand and the now bloody dossier about Steven in the other. “Yes, he gave me this.” She handed it all over to Syntax.

He scanned the contents. Then, slowly, he raised his eyes to meet Dillyn’s accusatory stare.

“Is all of that true?”

Syntax ran a frustrated hand across his chin, “Yes. I didn’t want to tell you until we neutralized the people Steven worked for.”

Ben chimed in, “His murderers?”

“Yes, but rest assured, they are no longer a problem. The threat has been neutralized.”

None of this was making sense. There were too many missing pieces to this puzzle. Something else was bothering him. Finally, Ben asked, “If the threat was neutralized, who shot them? They weren’t working for the same people as Steven.”

Dillyn wondered the same thing.

Syntax, “There were multiple interests here tonight. Let’s say two of them have been removed. Ours remain standing and on the ready if necessary.”

“So, it’s over? I can go back to living my life?” Dillyn asked.

Syntax responded, “Every threat has been put down. No more looking over your shoulder. It’s finished.”

Dillyn wasn’t convinced. “Are you sure?”

He gently touched her shoulder, “I promised all those years ago to take care of you. So far, I’ve kept my word. I will always watch over you and keep you safe. Only now . . .” Syntax turned serious eyes onto Ben, “I hope to have some help.”

Ben looked him straight in the eyes, “I’ll give my life to protect Dillyn.”

She swallowed hard. Her heart was about to explode. Ben had already proved his words true. Every man in her life had let her down, except for the two men before her. Dillyn could see the truth in both their faces. She was ashamed that she doubted Syntax and even more so that she’d almost thrown away real love with Ben.

Dillyn threw her arms around Syntax’s neck. “Thank you for keeping Ben and my friends safe.”

Ran appeared out of nowhere. “Sir, we’ve got to get moving. The authorities will be here in less than two and a half minutes.”

Wyatt rounded the corner with his weapon locked, loaded, and ready to take care of business. The second Ran saw him, he aimed his weapon at his head.

Wyatt and Ran were in an intense face-off.

“Whoa . . .whoa . . .whoa.” Ben held up his hands to stop them. “These are friendlies.”

Slowly, Wyatt and Ran lowered their weapons. Wyatt made eye contact with Ben and then Syntax. For a second, he was confused as recognition hit him square in the gut, “Supreme Leader Evans?”

“At ease, soldier.” He responded.

Supreme Leader Evans?Dillyn didn’t know Syntax’s legal name nor title, but apparently Wyatt did.

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