I stop at the side of the truck, turning to face her. “What’s going on with you? You’ve been quiet, withdrawn. I ain’t stupid. I can see you’re struggling. I just don’t know why.”
She glances down, shrinking into herself in a way I don’t like. “I told you. It’s just work stress.”
I lift her chin, refusing to let her hide. Her eyes are shiny as she meets my gaze. “We just saw our baby, learned that we’re having a girl and you look like the world is ending. Just talk to me, Lex. Please.”
She flinches. “I’m sorry.” Her fingers rub her temple like she’s getting a headache. “I’m excited it’s a girl, Casey, I’m just tired.”
I kiss her, desperate to hold onto the pieces slipping through my fingers.
“Darlin’, you don’t need to be tired. If the job is too much, you leave the job. I don’t want you stressed while you’re pregnant. I sure as fuck don’t want you stressed to the point where you’re losing weight.”
“I’ll eat more. I promise. I’ll do better.”
“Babe, fuck that noise. You’re doin’ fuckin’ amazing. I didn’t mean it like that, but I can tell you’re carryin’ something. Let me hold it with you.”
She opens her mouth, then closes it, wincing. “You’re right. Work is taking too much out of me. I need to stop stressing so much.”
It’s weak, thin, but she’s not ready for me to push her, so I press a kiss into her hair, open the door for her, and secure her into the car, the belt sitting below her bump.
What the hell am I missing?
I take her to a small restaurant to eat and I watch every bite she takes, noticing how she nibbles, but doesn’t eat a substantial amount. She’s trying. That’s all I can ask for.
When I drop her off outside her building, I can see the tension radiating through her shoulders, even though she kisses me before she gets out.
Every step toward the building looks like she’s headed to the gallows.
As soon as she’s safely inside, I pull my phone out and dial Nitro.
The call connects after a moment.
“Prez?”
“I need you to look into something for me.” I give him everything. Her workplace, the names she’s mentioned—especially fucking James—and I tell him to dig deep.
Because something is going on with my wife, something more than just a write up at work, and I’m going to find out what the fuck it is.
TWELVE
LEXI
My stomach is a tight coil.The room is too hot, too busy. My colleagues are gathered around the boardroom table, talking about forecasts and expectations for the next quarter and I should be listening, but I’m not.
Because I can feel his eyes on me.
Tasha is on my left, Simon on my right, and yet I still feel exposed. Every inch of me is screaming with warning. I’m around dangerous men all day long. I’m not stupid. I know Casey’s club does illegal things, but I’ve never felt scared with them. Never.
James is the kind of monster no one sees. He’s too busy hiding behind sharp suits and smiles. And he’s got me in his crosshairs.
My hand rests over my belly where my daughter shifts inside me.
James has backed off lately, but that doesn’t ease my anxiety around him. If anything, it makes it worse. I feel like I’m just waiting for him to strike again.
Tasha nudges me, and I jolt. The entire room is looking at me.
Including James and his smug fucking grin.
“Sorry, uh, I missed what was said.”
