THE CRAZY GOOD SERIES - Rachel Robinson Page 0,308

mouth and tucks it behind her ear. “I guess it’s hard for me to fathom coming back after something so awful…and for so long.” Valid point. The first few months living among respectable humans almost felt like I was an actor in a Blockbuster hit. I believe my acting days are over, but I can’t be sure.

I turn her chin to face me. “I’m the same person. A little beaten down, a little inked up, with some external scars, but inside,” I say, bringing her hand to rest on the left side of my chest, “I’m the same. Getting another chance with you was, at best, my wildest dream during my darkest days.” And I’m about to throw it away.

She smiles now and hugs me, her small arms cutting me like vices as she tightens her grip. The curves of her body press against me and the wind blows her unruly hair into my face. “My baboon level is about four. We should start heading back to the house now. For the record, I’m glad you’re okay. And being with you now is also my wildest dream come true. I never thought I’d be able to think of you without being sad and now I get to have you. And this happiness makes me want to explode.”

I hang on to her a little tighter. Breathe her in a little deeper. “Never give up on the good guy, yeah?” I say.

Lainey pulls back and looks at me with bright, laughing eyes. “You remembered.”

“Of course. How could I forget?” Good guys finish last, or so the saying goes. When we first began dating she told me that when she found a good guy she was never going to give up on him. “Remember that, okay?”

She looks off into the ocean. Is she thinking of Dax and her wedding? Wondering if there’s some hidden meaning behind my words? I don’t have precious time to waste wondering. I only have two more days with her in this false, safe paradise.

My phone rings from the holster on my arm. It’s Molly. Wrapping my arm around Lainey, we begin our walk back while I listen to Molly panic about threatening messages she’s received from anonymous callers. Everything is coming to a head, and I need all my best-laid plans to be meticulous. Lainey smiles up at me, and I force a grin back and kiss the top of her head.

Never give up on the good guy.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Lainey

CODY’S ON THE phone again. He’s in the library on the second floor of this palatial mansion. A quick mental calculation has it in the mid millions. I’m pretty sure I saw it on an episode of Cribs when I was seventeen years old. In between sex sessions and eating and more sex, I check out the different areas of the house. One could easily get lost in here. That fact creeps me the fuck out. He hates the beach, which is how I’m certain this truly is all for me. Obviously it’s a grand gesture I could have done without. There’s a locked door at the end of a long hallway that reminds me of the movie The Shining. I don’t hang around long enough to see if I can pick the lock. It’s not like I have anything to help me anyways. Thankfully, I threw a light cotton robe in my bag, because Morganna was right. Clothing is optional.

As I approach the library I hear Cody’s voice pouring from the large doorway. He’s angry. I make my steps lighter, my bare feet a whisper against the cool floor. My chest rises and falls a little more rapidly. Some women would turn the other way. Others would make their presence known with a cough or a fake sneeze. Not me. This is part of who I am. Cody should know better. I press my back against the door and listen to him speak.

Whatever Cody is currently laughing at isn’t of the funny variety. “I don’t need you. I have my ways. She’s not safe,” he growls and then pauses. “Of course that is what’s important. Don’t start this shit again. I keep my word.” I realize I haven’t taken a breath in too long and open my mouth to gobble up air. I’m the she. “You better follow through. I have a lot riding on this. More than you realize.” Suddenly, I don’t want to know what will come next—my nosey nature aside, I want to stay oblivious for