Page 31 of Walking the Bird

Dropping his hands, Alex moved to stand. “I’ve got to go.”

“Not so fast,” Aiden blocked his progression, turning his phone in Alex’s direction. “Seems there’s been a change of plans.”

Alex stared at the photo on the screen, his heart skipping a beat as he took in the beautiful woman dressed in red. Eleni would forever be beautiful in his eyes. Tonight, however, she was breathtaking.

“Where are they?”

* * *

“Here’s to Jordan,”Kennedy raised her shot glass into the air. “May your orgasms be forever plentiful, powerful, and not of your own hand.”

Eleni touched her glass with the others before downing the amber liquid. She couldn't recall the last time she’d felt this free or enjoyed herself this much. Granted, she was several drinks in, and could no longer feel her teeth.

“Come on, bitches, let’s dance!” Elli shouted over the music playing overhead, leaving everyone momentary shocked.

“Ellison Biggs. Did you just swear?” Harper teased, having never heard the woman utter a bad word before.

“What? I cuss,” Elli slurred. “When I drink,” she lied. Elli had never been a fan of foul language, working overtime to censor Ryan once the twins were born.

Eleni wrapped an arm around Elli, preparing to defend her friend's choice in words when the song playing overhead changed to one of her personal favorites.

“Yes,” Eleni shouted over the music. “I fucking love this song!”

Not waiting for the others, Eleni pushed her way across the crowded dance floor to the edge closest to the beach. She’d tossed away the high-heeled shoes Kennedy chose to go with the form-fitting dress they’d found sometime after drink three or four. She’d made a promise to herself she would enjoy tonight, giving Jordan great memories of her last night of single life.

Closing her eyes, Eleni allowed the music to wash over her. Raising her hands above her head, she swayed her hips and let her mind go blank. Allowing herself to forget about the decisions she needed to make, the conversations awaiting her in the morning, and the new reality poised to begin when she returned home.

* * *

Alex stoodin awe as he watched his wife dance. The sway of her hips causing his cock to take notice, his hunger to touch her roaring out of control. How long had it been since he’d seen her this happy? A year, two? He couldn't recall.

“What are you waiting for, Alex?”

Keeping his focus on Eleni, “She’s smiling.”

Zach followed Alex’s gaze, “Reminds me of your wedding.”

Nodding, a lump formed in Alex’s throat. “I promised her father I would never let the smile fall from her face.”

“Not too late. Even if she has filed for divorce, you haven’t signed any paperwork. Get over there and win her back.”

Laying his arm around Alex’s shoulders, Aiden scanned the dance floor in search of the woman who was his world. He’d taken notes from Alex’s mistakes, swearing to himself he would make certain nothing came between himself and Jordan.

Scanning the sea of gyrating bodies, Ryan thought he saw the profile of someone standing in the shadows. Taking a second look, his view was blocked by two men removing bags of trash.

“Everything okay, man?”

Shifting his gaze to Matt. “Yeah, thought I saw…” He trailed off, the thought an impossibility. “Someone.” Turning back to where the men were, Ryan found the space empty.

Ryan stood stoic, watching Alex move from the shadows, dropping his body to the grass and pulling his knees to his chest, all while keeping his gaze fixed on Eleni. He knew the kind of pain his friend felt, having turned his back on Elli when she needed him the most. Taking a step in Alex’s direction, Ryan stopped as his phone vibrated in his pocket.

“Guys, we’ve got a hit.”

Zach jerked his head to the side, catching the illuminated screen of Ryan’s phone and the red dot flashing in the middle of the screen.

“Slate will be at the dock in four minutes.” Matt echoed, shoving his phone into his back pocket. Flipping his ball cap backward, mentally preparing himself to deal with this drug-cooking bastard. He had a score to settle with the cocky bastard, all the diving he’d done kept him from taking his wife in the shower like she’d asked him to do.

“Come on, guys. Let’s go meet this Diablo fuck.”

Alex remained seated; his gaze fixed on Eleni as she continued to dance.

Zach turned to follow his team down the beach. As he took one last look at the girls jumping around and singing at the top of their lungs, he noticed Alex had yet to move. “You coming, Havoc?”

“Not this time, Viper. Gonna stay here and make sure she gets home okay.”

Something warmed inside Zach’s chest, a satisfied smile tugging at the corner of his lips. He’d never been prouder of Havoc, turning his back on his team for the love of a girl.

---