Whiskey Undone

by Carrie Ann Ryan

  Shannon nudged Renkle back to the car, and Dare sighed beside Loch. “Knew it wasn’t over.”

  “Nope. Not even close.”

  * * *

  By the time Loch got home from the station, he was exhausted and hungry since he hadn’t been able to get food like he’d planned. The questioning had actually gone super easily and, honestly, probably could have happened right there on the street in front of the gym since they’d only asked about Dennis’s work schedule. The detectives had questioned Loch about where he was the night of the murder, and while Loch had said that he was at the bar with witnesses, he hadn’t mentioned Ainsley and their time together after. If they asked his whereabouts for a specific time, then he’d tell them. But, as of now, he didn’t know when Dennis had been killed, and he hadn’t wanted to air any dirty laundry he didn’t need to. Not telling the cops his entire life story might not be the best decision, but hell, he’d known too many people in his line of work who had said too much and had to deal with more issues because of it, even though they were innocent. He had a feeling the cops had no idea who killed Dennis and were only just starting their investigation. They needed to figure out Dennis first before they could figure out who killed him.

  Either way, it gave Loch a headache, and he had a feeling the harder questions were coming.

  Or maybe he was just overthinking because he tended to see the worst in people. Renkle notwithstanding, Loch didn’t think anyone actually believed Loch was guilty.

  Misty was at his parents’ for the day since his mother had wanted a princess afternoon or something like that, so he had a few more hours to himself where he could get something to eat and maybe take a nap.

  His phone buzzed, and he frowned at the readout. He hadn’t heard from Ainsley all day, and the silence between them was only getting more awkward with each passing minute.

  Ainsley: I heard you were taken into the station! Are you okay?

  Jesus. Word traveled fast in Whiskey. Or rather, word traveled fast when it came to his family. Then again, he’d have talked to her himself if they weren’t avoiding each other because of what happened the other night.

  Loch: They had a few questions about Dennis. I’m fine. You don’t need to be worried.

  Ainsley: Of course I’m worried, Loch.

  Ainsley: I’m so sorry about Dennis.

  Loch sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. He didn’t know what to feel when it came to Ainsley. Things were so messed up, and Loch hated that he couldn’t rely on the one person he’d always been able to lean on because he’d fucked up like he did. This was his fault, and he had no idea how to fix it.

  Loch: Me too.

  Ainsley: Let me know if you need anything.

  He was about to answer that he was fine when she messaged again.

  Ainsley: And we need to talk. You know we do.

  He didn’t answer that, just put his phone back into his pocket, his head aching. Yeah, they needed to talk, but he wasn’t sure what they could say to each other to fix what had happened. If he were honest with himself, this had been a long time coming, and yet it still surprised the hell out of him. He had no idea what to say to her, what would help things, or what would make everything better.

  He’d ruined what they had, and he was afraid there was no coming back from that.

  And since he’d already made himself sick over that and the situation with Dennis that day, he knew he just needed some time to think and get his thoughts in order because if he spoke to Ainsley right then, he’d fuck it all up even more.

  Loch sighed and went to check the mail he’d put on the kitchen island when he walked in. In the middle was a large manila envelope that looked out of place. He set it aside for the moment but frowned when he noticed an estate lawyer’s name on the return address.

  “Huh.” He set it down on the counter again, got himself a beer, and took a sip as he tried to think of what an estate lawyer would be sending him. Loch’s first thought was something about Dennis, but that was insane, so it had to be about something else.

  He just had no idea what it could be.

  He opened another letter addressed to him first, one without a return address and figured it was junk mail, but he still needed to open it before he shredded it.

  Instead, there was a single typed note in it. His hands fisted near his sides as he tried to figure out what the hell it could mean.

  “It will be mine. Watch your back. Your friend already lost his life by being where he shouldn’t have been. I want those papers. Too bad he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. You know who I am. You know me. You know what I want. What I need. Don’t waste too much time, or your little friend might not be the only person who loses what’s important.”

  “What the fuck?”

  He looked down at the letter, unease spreading through him. He sighed, set down his beer, and opened the other large envelope. When he scanned the cover letter, he stiffened, ice sliding through his veins, and his gut churning once more.

  He looked at the name listed, then read through the file, wondering how the hell he’d ended up in this other dimension. Because there was no way this was happening, not when he was dealing with Dennis, Ainsley, Misty, and so many other things in his life.

  No fucking way.

  Jason Kincaid was dead.

  Jason fucking Kincaid.

  His mentor, friend, and the one who’d helped him get his head on straight when he hadn’t known what to do with his life. He’d been the company’s owner, the one who’d trained them all and kept everyone safe. He’d been the one to help Loch figure out what the hell to do once he decided not to work with the company anymore and needed to stay home to be a dad.

  Jason had helped him with so fucking much.

  And now, the man was dead.

  But, apparently, Loch hadn’t known him as well as he thought because Jason had left the company to Loch. To do with as you please.

  In other words, to dismantle it because there was no way Loch was going to be the boss. Not with that group, and not with the hell he’d been through before he settled down with his daughter and his life in Whiskey.

  “Jesus Christ.”

  Loch nearly crumpled the important document in his hand before setting it down and taking a seat at the island, wondering what the hell to do next. It seemed like he was in a nightmare of responsibility and bad decisions that he couldn’t wake up from, and he had a feeling life wasn’t through fucking with him yet. He’d left the company for Misty’s sake, but he knew he would have soon anyway. Jason had been a good man, but some of the guys Loch had worked with weren’t. They’d taken jobs outside of Jason’s orders, had made calls Loch had never agreed with, and had done some shady things that made Loch hate the man he’d once been.

  Jason had connections, high-up contacts with money, power, and lines that led directly to the tops of some governments around the world. People with the kind of power that made waves, and even more importantly, to people who dealt in shady dealings and moved money. Lots of money. In the upper millions—sometimes, the billions. So much money, in fact, that Loch could barely comprehend it. But Jason’s connections had been good enough for the team to get into places where others couldn’t and allowed them to protect the people that others thought invincible. But it was because of Jason’s teams and intel that those people were virtually invincible. Those who didn’t understand the true nature of keeping people safe and those who were on the edge of what was right would definitely want Jason’s position for that kind of money. Maybe more so for that kind of power.

  Loch had been a protector. Had been in security for those who needed it. But those who worked with him hadn’t always seen that as an asset.

  So, Loch had left.

  His phone buzzed in his pocket, and he cursed, sitting up so he could dig for it again. He was surprised he hadn’t broken the damn thing by sitting on it.

  Ainsley: Stop ignoring me, Loch. Please.

  He closed his eyes, wish
ing he had the words to say. How did he tell the woman that meant everything to him that he wasn’t the right choice for her? How did he tell her that he wanted her but didn’t want to fuck up their relationship more? How did he tell her that she was his everything and yet he could be nothing for her?

  Loch: We’ll talk. Soon. Had a bad day. Don’t want to be shitty when Misty gets here. Talk soon.

  Ainsley: Yes. We will. And I’m sorry you had a bad day.

  Loch: Me too.

  He put his phone away again, and when she didn’t text back, he let out a sigh of relief. He had no idea what he was going to say to her, but he knew it had to be something and it had to be soon. He was hurting her with his silence, with the distance. So, as soon as he could, he’d tell her what he could. About everything.

  As long as he figured out with that was first.

  Chapter 5

  Ainsley needed a drink, but since it was still early on a Sunday morning, people would probably frown on that. Yes, there were such things as brunch and endless mimosas, but she needed hard liquor. Bubbly champagne wasn’t going to cut it.

  So, of course, a dance class where she felt bloated, ugly, and fat was totally the best place for her to be.

  Yay, for girl time.

  Or not.

  “Why do you look like you’re ready to run through that window and never look back?” Kenzie asked, her voice low just in case someone came in. Though they were in the middle of a dance studio where the acoustics made that particularly difficult.

  “Because I’m whiny and annoying?” Ainsley said deadpan, blinking quickly.

  Kenzie rolled her eyes. “Yes, because when I think of you, I instantly think whiny and annoying.”

  “Well, for all I know, that’s true.” Ainsley winked since she sucked at making a serious face, and Kenzie laughed.

  Ainsley hadn’t told Kenzie or Melody about what had happened with Loch. Everyone had been so busy and, honestly, not a lot of time had passed since the incident. Even if there had been time, like right at that moment for example, Ainsley wasn’t sure she could tell them about it.

  What could she say?

  Sorry I’m acting weird, but I slept with my best friend because we were angry with each other, then got even more angry. And now we’re acting strangely when we’re around each other—which isn’t that often. And we’re not talking about anything important, and I’m so upset at him for daring to cross that line, I’ve been hiding behind everything and even angrier with myself for jumping over it and meeting him with the enthusiasm I did.

  Oh, and I think something else is going on with him, but he’s not talking about it with me. Loch might not speak often, but he’s always told me everything, even if he didn’t want to. That’s why we’re best friends.

  But now I’m afraid I’ve lost it all.

  Ainsley swallowed hard, letting her thoughts slide through her before she buried them down again so Kenzie wouldn’t see them. Both of her friends were far too observant for her liking, and this wasn’t the time or place to reveal her deepest secret.

  At least one of them.

  Getting hot and heavy and very naked with her best friend counted as one of her secrets.

  A sweaty one.

  “No. But, seriously, what’s up with you?” Kenzie asked as they started stretching. Melody would be in the room at any moment to begin their class, and since Ainsley and Kenzie were usually the least experienced dancers in the room, it took more stretching than most to get them going. Though, today, thanks to meetings in town, an upcoming holiday, and a few colds, they were the only two students in the studio. Melody had gone to the back to use the restroom since she had to pee every ten minutes now it seemed. And since their group was small today, the class wouldn’t go long. Then, they’d probably stick around for the children’s dance class. Misty was taking it, and Loch would be by later to pick her up and maybe even watch her. His gym was next door after all, and Whiskey wasn’t that big of a town.

  That meant Ainsley couldn’t avoid him forever.

  Even if she weren’t sure that’s what she wanted to do at all.

  Ainsley held back a wince and reached down to touch her toes. She wasn’t out of shape since she jogged as well as worked with Loch in his gym often, but she wasn’t as flexible as she used to be. She’d always been in awe and slightly jealous of those who could dance and had any sort of rhythm. She wasn’t that bad, but she also didn’t have anywhere near the level of talent some did. But like Loch’s mom had said, she liked to try different things. She wanted to learn as much as she could, and she sometimes failed along the way. She was good at failing, but she was also good at picking herself up. It was something she tried to teach her students since high school chemistry wasn’t the easiest thing in the world, even if she loved it.

  “Ainsley?”

  “Huh?”

  “I asked what was wrong with you, and then you zoned out into your own world. You’ve been trying to reach your toes for a full two minutes now. Great pose.”

  Ainsley blushed, her cheeks heating as she stood up. “Sorry. I guess I’m in my head. But my back feels good from that stretch.”

  Kenzie raised a brow. “I guess, though knowing us, you’re probably going to end up sore from that position.” Then she snorted, and Ainsley rolled her eyes. “I almost said, ‘that’s what she said.’ I have a feeling the Collins brothers have rubbed off on me.”

  Ainsley laughed. “Rubbed off? Should I make another joke?”

  Kenzie flipped her off, and Ainsley just shook her head. “Shut up.”

  “Ah, my two star pupils. So much civility and grace.” Melody wrapped her arms around both of their shoulders and brought the three of them together for a group hug. “Are you ready for class?”

  Ainsley pulled away and put her hand on Melody’s ever-growing baby bump. She hadn’t been showing at all for what seemed like forever and then, overnight, she had this adorable bump that grew day by day. Pregnancy did wonderful things to people, and though Melody complained about swollen ankles and the fact that she had to hire someone to help with the studio she’d literally just opened, Ainsley knew her friend loved being pregnant.

  “That’s us,” Ainsley said with a grin. “I’m grace.”

  Kenzie rolled her eyes. “I guess that makes me civility. Though, really, I should be grace compared to you, don’t you think?”

  “Who was it that tripped up the stairs yesterday?” Ainsley asked.

  “It was because I was wearing flats,” Kenzie grumbled. “If I’d worn my normal heels, it wouldn’t have been a problem.” The other woman normally wore stilettoes and tall wedges with her suits and cute outfits, and Ainsley had no idea how she walked in them. She even sometimes ran up those stairs.

  “Why were you in flats?” Ainsley asked. “I could have sworn you only changed from your heels for this class.”

  “And thank you for that,” Melody said with a laugh. “I don’t know if I could handle teaching you to even stretch while in heels.”

  “Drag queens and strippers do it,” Ainsley put in and shrugged when the others laughed. “What? It’s true.”

  Melody held up her hands, smiling but nodding. “And they have far, far more talent than we could ever hope to have dancing in heels. And, yeah, ballroom dancers do it, as well, but still, let’s not try out the heavy-hitting stuff until we can at least touch our toes without wincing, shall we?”

  “I promise only to wear heels at work. And on dates. And in bed with Dare.” Kenzie grinned like a cat in cream and shared a look with Melody.

  Friends who were able to have regular sex with those they loved should have made her jealous, but Ainsley was happy for them.

  Okay, so she was mostly happy for them. And only a little jealous.

  After all, she’d just had sex this week. The best sex of her life. The roughest, hardest, sweatiest sex ever.

  Seemed she was in the mood to think about sweat and sex when it came to Loch, and she wasn’t sure how she fe
lt about that.

  Her inner thighs clenched involuntarily.

  Apparently, she really liked thinking about it.

  “I knew Dare had a kinky side,” Melody said with a wicked grin. “I’m working on Fox’s.”

  Ainsley almost blurted that she wanted to do the same to Loch but held herself back. First, she did not want to do the same to Loch. She was going to hold back when it came to him, damn it. And secondly, she hadn’t told them she’d slept with Loch yet and wasn’t ready for questions.

  Until she talked to him.

  When they figured out what they were going to do, then and only then would she tell her girlfriends what had happened. And she had a feeling she’d need both of them to get through what happened after.

  “Anyway, if you two are done talking about sex and all your kinky goodness, we should get started on class. Am I right? Or, since it’s just the three of us, should we just head to Dare’s for mimosas—a virgin one for Melody, of course—and brunch?”

  “Isn’t a virgin mimosa just orange juice?” Melody asked, her face pulled into a pout.

  “Yes, but I’m not letting my god baby have booze until she’s twenty-one, call me old-fashioned.” Ainsley rubbed her back, annoyed with herself for stretching as long as she had in that weird position. Maybe she really was the klutzy one of the three.

  Melody rolled her eyes and rubbed her stomach at the same time. “Dork. And as much as you don’t want to stay for dance class, you paid, and now I will teach. We’re still in adult beginners, girls. I promise to take it easy today though and not teach anything new since I don’t want to have to redo it all again next week when everyone’s schedules aren’t as haywire as they are.”

  “Sounds like a plan to me,” Kenzie said, taking her position. “Before we start, has anyone heard any updates on Dennis?”