The Last Husband (Forever Love #2)(28)
Author: J.S. Cooper

I wasn’t sure if I wanted Leeza to come after our last call, but I didn’t want to tell her no. She had been my best friend for a while, and she had been there for me when my parents had died. She and her long-term boyfriend had been on a break for a few months, and I don’t think she had really gotten over the fact that the relationship wasn’t going well. I couldn’t believe she was now interested in that guy Evan. I hadn’t liked him at the party, and sure didn’t like the sound of him now.

“Sure, I’d love for your friends to visit.”

“Well, just Leeza.” I paused. “I think she’s dating that guy Evan. What’s he like?”

“He’s scum.” Zane’s voice was angry. “He hangs with Braydon. I don’t trust him.”

“But it seems like you’re part of that group? Isn’t that how you met Leeza originally?”

“Do I hang out with them? Yes. Am I friends with them? No.” He sighed. “This last year I’ve done a lot of things I wouldn’t normally do. It’s for Noah.”

“Huh?” I looked at him in confusion. “You befriended his friends to stay close to him?”

“No,” he replied. “I infiltrated the group to get as much dirt on Braydon as possible. He is responsible for my brother’s death. I will do anything to bring him down.”

“Oh.” I looked at him hesitantly. “Is that safe?”

I was scared. I understood why he hated Braydon, and that was why I wasn’t going to tell him that Braydon had texted me and asked me to go to lunch with him so he could apologize to me.

“I’m working with the FBI and the DEA.” His voice was short. “I’m helping them with the case.”

“Are you qualified to do that?” I reached over and grabbed his arm. “That sounds dangerous.” FBI and DEA? I didn’t know Zane terribly well, but he certainly didn’t strike me as a government official sort of guy.

“I already had an in with the group, thanks to Noah.” He sighed. “It was easier for me to get in closer with them.”

“But Braydon knows you don’t like him.”

“He knows I blame him for my brother’s death.” Zane’s voice was angry. “He thinks it’s because he was there when my brother jumped. He doesn’t know that he is suspected of being a part of a drug trafficking ring.”

“Oh.” I paled. “You’re scaring me.” My skin ran cold thinking of the danger Zane was putting himself in. “This sounds a whole lot more serious than I thought before.”

“Lucky, did I tell you that I wasn’t even able to say goodbye to my brother properly? I wasn’t even able to kiss his body goodbye one last time.”

“What? Why?”

“They cremated him.” His voice was angry. “I don’t really know what happened. I guess my dad gave permission. But they cremated him and all I have left of him are his ashes.”

“Oh. I’m sorry.”

“I didn’t even get to see his body one last time. I suppose it was because his body must have been splattered from jumping.” His voice was cold. “Braydon did that, Lucky. I can’t let him get away with it.”

“I understand.” My voice was tight and I looked out the window so he couldn’t see the tears in my eyes. I couldn’t imagine what he was going through. I knew the pain and heartache of losing someone, yes, but the gravity of his pain was so much deeper than mine.

“I’m sorry, Lucky.” He sighed and touched my arm. I realized that he had parked the car as well.

“Where are we?” I looked around and saw a couple of girls wearing bathing suits, walking and giggling. “The beach?”

“I know it’s not South Beach, but I love Santa Monica.” He nodded. “I hope you don’t mind.”

“No.” I got out of the car. “I actually like walking on the beach.” I watched as Zane took his shoes off and he motioned to me to do the same. “The sand will be too hot,” I protested, but he grinned and pulled a plastic bag out of the car. He pulled out some flip-flops and smiled.

“I bought these for us.” He threw me a pair and I caught them, laughing. I looked down and saw that they were size 8, the exact same size as my feet.

“How did you know I was a size 8?”

“I checked your shoes.” He grinned. “I was hoping we could go to the beach later this week. They were going to be a surprise.”

“Another gift?” I giggled. “You’re spoiling me.”

“I want to spend my life spoiling you.” He smiled at me tenderly. “Now take off your shoes.”

“Yes, sir.” I laughed at him. “You should have been a Sergeant in the Army.”

“If you want me to order you around just say the words.”

“You wish.”

“Don’t you know it!” He winked at me and we both laughed.

“So tell me, Zane,” I couldn’t hold it in any longer, “what exactly did you want to tell me?”

“It’s about Leo.” He bit his bottom lip and looked at me seriously. “I want you to listen and not get mad.”

“Uh, I can’t promise that.” I frowned. “What about Leo?”

“Well, I want you to spend more time with him.” He paused and studied my face, a slight worry in his blue eyes.

“Why?” My heart was beating quickly as we walked along the beach. I was in such anticipation of what he was going to say that I didn’t notice the white sand of the beaches or the aquamarine of the ocean. I was so caught up in what he had to say that I almost got hit by a stray volleyball before he grabbed me out of the way.

“Lucky, pay attention.” Zane shook his head at me and mumbled something under his breath.

“What was that?” I spoke sharply. “I didn’t quite hear you.”

“I said, this is why you need Leo!”

“Why I need Leo?” I turned toward him. “Are you trying to hook me up with Leo? Are you crazy, Zane Beaumont? Are you f**king crazy?” I started shouting at him. I could feel the blood rushing to my ears as I got more and more angry. “You think it’s a good idea to set me up with your best friend? What was last week? A meet-and-greet? Make sure that I was good enough for him? You’re sick, Zane. Do you know that? You’re sick.”

“Are you done?” He looked at me and there was a slight smile on his face and I could tell that he was trying not to laugh.