Page 131 of Pawn's in the Bishop's Game (Checkmate 1)

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Jess

Almost An Admission

Ilie in the dark and concentrate on the soft breeze that whispers through the open window. I should feel comfortable with Britt’s dog snoring at my feet and my sister lying beside me with her fingers linked with mine.

But my heart won’t stop slamming against my chest.

I’m worried.

I’m sick to my stomach, because men that I love are out tonight, and they’re on opposing sides of the law.

Kane’s working, and Alex is there to arrest him.

But if there’s anything I know about Kane, it’s that he willnotgo down without a fight.

The problem is, neither will Alex or Oz.

It’s a fucking mess, and there’s nothing I can do except lie in bed with my sister and pretend the silence is normal and okay.

No one has truly asked why I’m at Britt’s tonight. No one knows my connection to Kane, so it’s just a coincidence that I wanted to sleep at Alex’s little sister’s house. Everyone assumes I’m here for girl’s night, despite the fact I arrived late and went straight to bed.

We’re family, and being rude is allowed. We’re used to it now.

Tomorrow. I’ll talk to my family tomorrow, once I know the fate of the man working at a dark and dingy truck stop right now.

It’s surreal, knowing he’s there, hoping he’s safe and well, but also knowing Alex and Oz are on their way. Knowing they intend to arrest him.

It’s dreamlike, standing in the middle. Like I’m the flag girl in the hot lane, but I want both cars to win.

Laine’s quiet sniffles bring my thoughts crashing back to this dark room. Back to our linked fingers. Back to my heart thundering with worry.

When she sniffles a second time, I frown. “Why are you sleeping at Britt’s tonight?” No one has asked me, but I don’t afford my sister the same courtesy. I’m a lawyer, I’m more nosy than her, and I need a distraction. “What are you doing here?”

With a shrug, she brushes her long hair back and tangles her feet with mine. We’ve done this a billion times over our life. “I heard you were staying here.” She shrugs a second time. A nervous, jerky twitch. “I really missed you. I really missed home, so I followed you.”

“But you’re never home anymore.” Minty toothpaste and strawberry shampoo permeate the air around us. “You got a boyfriend and now you’re too busy for us.” I smile and pray she doesn’t hear the way my voice shakes as I imagine what’s happening with Kane right now.Is he okay? Is he safe?

Is Alex okay?

“Everyone kinda hates Graham. You know that, right?” I laugh quietly. “He takes up all of your attention, and we’re a bunch of jealous fools.”

“Yeah.” Her soft laugh comes out almost choked, nervous, restless. “He’s… consuming.”

“But you’re back now, right? We went skinny dipping last month, and now you’re here.”

“He got so mad that I ditched the wedding and ran out with you guys.”

“Madschmad.” I wave it off and stroke her finger.

Please God, I hope he doesn’t put a ring there anytime soon.

She hasn’t been the same since he came along.Consumingis an understatement. She was the crazy one in our group; the loud one, the wild one. Now she’s basically shacked up with a real estate agent and keeps saying she can’t come to family dinner.

Somehow, the twin who preferred Babysitter Clubs books and solitude has become the wild, loud, crazy sister. And that just doesn’t come naturally to me. “Boys get mad all the time, Lainie. But he’ll get over it. You’re a grown ass woman. You’re not a pet. And we’re your sisters. You don’t need permission to hang out with your sisters.”

Like a week-long sort-of-relationship makes me an expert on the subject, I think of Kane. I think of his temper and that twitching lip. Making him mad has become a game, and making him bite off a curse that still turns into a string of swears just before he uses my body in the most delicious way has become my new favorite hobby.

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