Page 13 of Every Which Way

Kenna didn’t usually think about her former fiancé, Bradley, who had died in the basement of a serial killer’s house. Watching his life slip away, Kenna had watched her dreams die with him—and their unborn child. She’d lost so much and since then gained more back than she’d imagined she would have.

Some people might think she should recreate the wedding she was supposed to have had with Bradley, but that wouldn’t be fair to his memory. And it wasn’t what she wanted.

The designer had set up in a room off to the side of the auditorium. Adrielle introduced them all to a four-foot-eight woman with some Asian in her ancestry. Her dark hair was cut into choppy angles, and the ends were pink. The room had fairy lights strung up all around and even a few racks of bridesmaid’s dresses in all colors. Shoes. Jewelry. Kenna’s head spun just taking it all in.

Akira scanned Kenna from head to toe. “I have just the thing!”

The room had a changing area behind a screen. A pedestal step and trifold mirrors to look at the dress from all angles. Slender glasses of bubbly apple cider to sip while they perused the racks of dresses.

Akira raced to a rack at the far end and started rummaging.

Kenna glanced over at Adrielle. “You were right. These are fabulous.”

Laney, one row down from her mother, looked relieved. Oh good. Kenna had said the right thing.

The door opened, and Maizie quickly ducked down between rows of dresses. A blond woman stepped inside wearing casual street clothes and holding a cup of Starbucks, which was one of the most innocuous things in the world. With a cup of coffee, you blended in at a place like thisimmediately.

Akira held up one hand. “We have a private appointment in here!”

The woman closed the door behind her. “So do I,” she said in a British accent and glanced at Kenna. “I need to speak to you.”

Just when she got used to wedding dress shopping.

The door opened again, and Ramon stepped in, grabbed the woman, and backed her against the wall with his arm across her throat. The Starbucks cup fell to the ground, and the lid came off. It was empty.

Adrielle gasped.

The woman glared at him.

Ramon said, “Start talking.”

ChapterFour

“As I said”—she cleared her throat, Ramon’s forearm still pressed up against it—“before you so rudely grabbed me, I need to speak with Kenna.”

Ramon didn’t move. “Kenna?”

“Maybe later. I’m busy right now.”

Who knew where Maizie had ducked down to hide? But wanting to be out of sight was her choice. Adrielle watched the situation, glancing back and forth between Kenna and the two by the door. Laney had her phone out.

Akira came over. “No fighting in my shop!”

She seemed to speak entirely in short exclamations.

Ramon backed off a fraction. “She said later.”

The woman shifted, brushing off her clothes. She had on wide leg jeans, black boots with low heels, and a gray T-shirt, over which she had pulled a jacket. “Fine.” She glanced at Kenna. “I know how to find you.”

Wasn’t that nice for her, being able to find people whenever she needed. Nice skill set. Shame it might be a problem for Kenna and her family.

She stared at the woman, refusing to back down or acknowledge any interest in what she had to say. At least, not right now.

Ramon held the door open, and the woman stepped out. He closed the door and turned to Kenna. “I was late.”

“Only a second or two.”

“It won’t happen again.” He glanced at the racks. “Hermanita.”

---