Page 78 of Barristers & Bones

She and Alexa glanced at each other and she pointed to my neck. “It’s basically a submissive collar.”

My hand flew up to the band. “No. This is just a necklace.”

Alexa shook her head. “I’m pretty sure she’s right, especially with the lock.”

“What does that mean?” My heart rate picked up, and I started hyperventilating a little. “How did I not realize it?”

She grabbed my hands and squeezed. “It’s alright, Luna. Maybe it is just for the tracker.”

Sylvie snorted. “Yeah, right. I don’t think it’s that innocent–this is Roman Fowler we’re talking about. But I have to admit, it looks pretty badass–like a cross between a collar and an expensive necklace from Tiffany’s.”

Alexa pursed her lips. “The man does have good taste.”

I sat in one of the folding chairs and held my head in my hands for a moment, realizing just how devious Roman had been. He’d scuttled my water law internship, manipulated my schedule, then drugged me and somehow talked me into marrying him–though the details of that night were fuzzy, and now he’d gotten a collar on me. He confused and infuriated me at turns and it was like working on an intricate, complicated puzzle but with a few vital pieces missing. Sylvie patted my shoulder, but she and Alexa gave me some space to brood.

Fenn and Kilian showed up as we started to eat. After greeting Ezra, Fenn walked over and put his arm around me, hugging me to his side a little too tight. I held my drink out so I wouldn’t spill.

“I hear you’ve been busy, Lou. Why the hell didn’t you call me? And what the fuck happened to your face?” There was a playful edge to his voice, but I could tell he was angry.

I took a sip of my drink. “Hello, Fenn. Thank you for the offer, but I’d rather not owe you my firstborn.” Fenn’s light blue eyes held a perpetual, half-smirk that varied in degrees of craziness depending on the situation.

He let go of me and patted my head, rattling my teeth a little. “You’re such a joker, and if I really wanted your firstborn, I’d marry you off to one of my lieutenants and takeallyour kids instead of just one.”

I patted his shoulder a little too hard. “And that’s why I didn’t call you.”

He grinned down at me, but his smile faded as he eyed the bruise again. “Instead, you married one of the coldest, most calculating assholes in Vegas, and he’s a fucking attorney to boot. No offense.”

“None taken.” He took potshots at attorneys every chance he got when he was around me.

“I try not to fuck with them, but if things go tits up, you call me. We’re family.”

I smiled genuinely this time. “I like him. He’s protective, and he can be… nice sometimes.”

Looking down at the collar and tracker around my neck, he shook his head. “With a father like yours, it explains why you think Roman Fowler can benice. How’s he treating you?” Fenn was the only person I knew who referred to my psychotic father in such an open, matter-of-fact way. It was kind of a relief.

“He’s a manipulative asshole at times, but he doesn’t get annoyed with all my questions, and he assigned a bodyguard to me.”

Fenn smiled and kissed my cheek. “You might have just saved that fucker’s life. Your mind is beautiful, Lou, don’t let people tell you differently. I’ve got something for you.” He pulled what looked like a black flashlight out of his pocket and handed it to me. “It’s a flashlight taser. Be careful with it. Tasers are legal in Nevada, but this one might not beentirelylegal.”

I took the thing and studied it. Fenn and Kilian’s presents were always unique and a little scary. “Thank you?”

“Such a smartass.”

A few minutes later, Samuel, Misty, and Sasha walked in with Samuel holding Misty’s hand. Misty had changed up her hair color a little and now sported white tips at the end of her red pigtails.

When she saw my jaw, her eyes widened. “The bruise on my face is almost gone, but yours is…” She didn’t finish.

I knew it was now an ugly, almost florescent greenish-yellow color, and the concealer hadn’t helped much. “Florescent green?”

She took my hand and squeezed. “I’m so sorry he came after you when you were only trying to help me. This is my fault.”

“No, it’s that asshole’s fault who thinks it’s okay to terrorize and beat up on women. I’d do it again.” Samuel nodded at me in silent thanks and put his arm around Misty. She patted his shoulder and snuggled into him. They were both good people, and I was glad they’d gotten together.

We talked and ate while Milo stood by the door, carefully observing every person who came and went. We started playing poker, and Sasha came over to sit beside me, sipping her mimosa out of a plastic champagne flute. Her violet hair matched her sparkly eyeshadow today.

“There’s a rumor you and Roman Fowler got married last week. Is it true?” Sasha was a straight shooter, and it didn’t surprise me she’d poked the elephant in the room.

I fingered my wedding band. “Yes. Xander performed the ceremony. I know it’s a little sudden, but we’ve been working together for a few months now…” I trailed off, unsure if I should try to sell the marriage or not. Roman and I hadn’t talked about it. We hadn’t talked about a lot of things.

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