Page 42 of Dancing With Doubt

“Okay. If he calls back, which he’ll have to since I have no idea which marina he meant and it was a private number that he called from so I can’t call back, I’ll ask to see Lincoln.”

“No, not see him, be specific. I’m not letting you anywhere near that douchebag. Lincoln will kill me when he gets home if I do.” Kai shook his head with a frown on his face.

“Then how am I supposed to take him the money?” She asked, her own frown in place.

“I’m hoping it won’t come to that. If it does, we’ll think of something. Ask him to video call you.” Kai said, offering something at least.

“Fine. But this better work, Kai or so help me, you won’t have to worry about what Lincoln’s going to do to you because I’ll have already done it.” Roxie glared up at him with fire in her eyes. She meant it, too. If this all failed and something happened to Lincoln, it was Kai she was coming for. Right after she took care of Nathan.

It might be irrational to blame Kai for all of this, especially when Nathan was taking credit for it, but deep down, she kind of blamed Kai too. He was the security guru that let his friend be snatched away right under his nose. And he was the security expert that still had no clue where Lincoln was.

Fuck, everything was frustrating her and now she was even more exhausted. Sleep would not come though, she knew that. The hours passed, nothing happened, and Roxie started to lose hope. Kai wasn’t doing anything but playing some poker game and checking his phone every now and then.

June was chain-smoking outside, and Tanya and Mandy were upstairs with their girls. Roxie was alone again.

Wendy came over late, with the apology that she’d had to work at Lemon Fresh that night because her parents had some important meeting to go to. Wendy rolled her eyes at that part. She reached for Roxie and Roxie hugged the smaller woman back.

“Thanks for coming over,” Roxie said and looked at the bag in Wendy’s hand. “Snacks?”

“Snacks and one of those subs I know you like.” Wendy took Roxie’s hand and Roxie took her outside on the deck. “What’s going on?”

“No news since Nathan called earlier. He’s probably passed out somewhere or trying to get more drugs.”

“He really asked for ten million?” Wendy asked, chewing at some of the gummy worms she’d brought with her.

“Yeah, like I have that kind of cash.” Roxie rolled her eyes and shook her head. “I’m not made of money.”

“No, but some of the people you know are.” Wendy reminded her. “Even Lincoln probably has that stashed in his mattress.”

“That’s rude, Wendy. But yeah, you’re probably right. I’ll check later.” Roxie smiled despite herself, knowing there’d be no money there. “Thanks for coming over. I needed a laugh.”

“That’s what I’m here for. To take care of you.” Wendy pushed over a pack of sour peach gummy candy and Roxie took it.

“You always did know how to do that better than anyone else.” Roxie smiled over at her sweet friend with sad eyes. “Lincoln does a good job, but you bring me candy.”

“I do. Who loves you, baby?” Wendy asked with a wink as she gobbled another gummy worm.

“You do, duh.” Roxie chewed at another piece of candy and looked out at the darkness. “What am I going to do?”

“Well, if these men can’t handle the situation by the time the sun sets tomorrow, we will, my friend,” Wendy promised with a look in her eyes that made Roxie pause.

“How so?” Roxie asked, wondering exactly what Wendy meant.

“I don’t know yet, but we’ll think of something.” Wendy hedged, looking away from Roxie.

There it was again, a side of Wendy that clashed with the image of the woman that Roxie knew. There was a lot more to this woman than she let on, but Roxie wouldn’t push her for answers. It wouldn’t do any good, even if she did, she suspected. Wendy was a closed book in a lot of ways. Roxie was too, and if she demanded to know all Wendy’s secrets, she might just demand to know all of Roxie’s in return. And that just wouldn’t do.