Page 70 of A Dirty Business
“Too bad Justin didn’t take you to his other side of the family. You would’ve fit right in.”
“Well, that would’ve defeated the purpose of ‘getting away for the day.’ You know.”
She glared at me before including Kelly and then moving to Justin. “I see you actually haven’t changed that much, Justin. Still slumming.” She turned on her heel but said over her shoulder as she began to leave, “You can show yourself around, thank you.”
Justin’s mouth was hanging open, but a choked laugh ripped out of him. He laced his hands together, raised them up, and cupped the back of his head. “I can’t believe that just happened.” He was taking me in, his eyes wide. “All of that and you know the real reason she left is to make sure no drugs are visible. My cousin can handle a catfight, that’snot a problem for her, but good call on the little threat.” He started laughing as he reached for Kelly, then pulled her to him and buried his head into her neck and shoulder. “Please don’t leave me because a part of my family are rich assholes. I try not to associate with them.”
Kelly wound her arms around his neck, hanging on to him as well, a little laugh slipping from her.
He lifted his head, his hands dropping to her waist but holding her against him. “But fair warning that the rest of my family are just as bad. I wanted to drop the bomb on them that you exist, but knowing Viv, she’ll be on the phone and calling what relatives aren’t here to get here ASAP.”
Kelly’s laugh dried up. “Really?”
He nodded, more somber now. “It’ll be fine, though. The only one I really want to introduce you to is my aunt. She’s everything this side of my family isn’t. Kind. She’s a big reason I am who I am. I lived with her for most of my life.”
“Really?” she whispered.
“I only care about her. I swear. I’m not a part of all the family bullshit, and I don’t have to kiss ass because I’m not dependent on them for money. Drives them all crazy.”
Kelly was back to swooning. “Then I absolutely cannot wait to meet this aunt of yours.”
Justin’s gaze grew dark, and he was starting to lower his head right as I clued in on what was about to happen. I turned, coughing, and gestured toward the main house. “Yeah. I’m, uh—going there.”
They were still kissing when I got to the barn.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
JESS
There were rich people everywhere.
I knew they were because they had the rich-people speak. The “oh haw-haw” or the “Insert name, dawrrrling, how are youuuu?” or the “lovely” and “gracious me” and the laughs. Fake and forced and uppity. I knew my rich people, and I was surrounded by them.
That’s why I stuck to the food table and the bar.
I was on my second martini—don’t judge if I was pretending to be a rich folk today, but the martinis weregood—when I heard next to me, “Officer Montell. I was informed of your arrival, but didn’t believe it. The same birdy told me you drove here with two other of my employees.”
Aw, crap.
Ashton Walden was at the end of the table, his head cocked to the side, and his eyes narrowed.
I tried to get a beat on what he was thinking or feeling, but I got nothing. Maybe curiosity? He didn’t seem perturbed that I was here, and I didn’t want to believe he was amused I was here either.
“Please tell me your other half is not present today.”
Now he was amused. I could tell as he tried hiding a quick grin. “At this rate it seems like he’s more like your other half.”
“You know what I mean.”
“I do, yes.” He glanced behind us, and I saw Vivianna watching us with avid interest. He came forward and took my elbow in his hand in a light grasp. He moved in close, speaking to the bartender. “A bourbon, please.” He eyed my drink. “Is that your first martini?”
I tipped my head back, drank the rest, and slid the glass on the counter. “Soon to be my third, hopefully.”
The bartender was eyeing us as he filled our drinks.
Ashton moved back a step, dropping his hand, and he turned to face me directly. “You are not striking me how Trace speaks of you.”
“How does he speak of me?”
