Page 73 of Auctioned to the Billionaire Bodyguard

Everyone nodded, and I couldn’t help but notice Nora grip her wine glass harder.

“Well, it’s a done deal. The first two memberships have already been signed. Well, it’s one membership shared between two people. It’s Jax Neeley and Pedro Vasquez.”

“I think we all know Jax is about the most famous NFL quarterback in the nation, but Pedro Vasquez—is he…”

Reynolds cut me off. “Plays baseball in Memphis. He’s an ace relief pitcher.”

Reynolds knew his baseball.

“That’s great,” Nadine said. “Having Jax Neeley, even for part of the year, will add a lot of good publicity for the clubs.” She got a gleam in her eyes. “I wonder if he needs a real estate agent.”

Nora abruptly stood up, causing everyone to stare at her. “I… I have to find Carmen.” With that, she turned and practically jogged down the beach to Carmen’s table.

We stared after her for a moment, but our thoughts were interrupted.

“Alright, everyone, direct your attention to the dance floor where Paolo and Jelly will share their first dance as a married couple,” Madeline said into the microphone. She was, of course, the wedding planner. I didn’t know much about weddings, but I knew everything at this one seemed perfect. I had the sense she was quite talented.

We watched as Paolo and Jelly danced to “Harvest Moon” by Neil Young. It was their song, apparently, and it suited them. They laughed and talked through it, and everyone was quiet as we watched them. They were oblivious to everyone but each other, as if they were in a world of their own.

It was really nice to see. It was also picturesque; the moon was coming up on the horizon over the ocean. It was one of those moments that didn’t need to be recorded or photographed—just enjoyed because it would be a memory forever. I felt like whenever anyone said anything about the two of them as a couple over the years, that would be the image I had of them.

Soon, their song was over, and everyone was invited to the dance floor. I stood and held out my hand for Jess. She was gorgeous tonight. She was every night, but tonight the moonlight seemed to glow off her skin in a special way.

“You’re so beautiful,” I said as I held her in my arms and we danced to various songs the band played. I couldn’t have said what any of the songs were; I was just focused on her. “I’m sodamn lucky to have you, Jess, and I couldn’t imagine myself with anyone else.”

She put her hand on my cheek, and I leaned into it. “I love you, Byron. I always will.” She said it with such sincerity and such truth in her eyes that I fully believed her.

“I love you, too, baby,” I could barely get the words out as emotions welled up inside me. I’d come close to losing her. Skeeter could’ve killed her. If she hadn’t had the presence of mind to call us and let us hear where he was taking her, or if Nadine hadn’t knocked into him making the bullet move just enough to avoid vital organs—she would’ve been lost to me forever. I pulled her closer in my arms.

I had something I was planning on giving her. I’d been carrying the jewelry I’d bought her that awful day around in my pocket for a while, waiting for the right time to give it to her. I’d long since added another box to go with it. I’d already asked her mother’s permission. Tonight felt right to me, like the stars had aligned.

God, if Reynolds could somehow hear what I was thinking he’d accuse me of trying to be Shakespeare or something. But I’d heard him talk about Nadine in ways I’d never thought he’d talk about a woman.

I looked around. I’d love to get down on my knee right here, in the middle of the dance floor. But that wouldn’t be right. I didn’t want to take away from Paolo and Jelly’s big day. I’d need to do it somewhere out of sight if I was going to ask her tonight.

Before I could contemplate it further, there was a commotion on one end of the dance floor. The sheriff was standing outside the tent. He was staring at Nia with her date, and I thought that’s why he’d come to the wedding at first. He wasn’t close with Paolo or Jelly, so there was really no reason for him to be here.

I hoped he wasn’t about to go all jealous boyfriend on Nia. I’d have to stop that before it happened. “I’ll be right back,” I kissedJess quickly, and then walked over to the sheriff. Reynolds got there right as I did.

“What’s going on?” Reynolds asked quietly, keeping a smile pasted on his face. He knew people were watching him.

The sheriff looked stressed. His salt and pepper hair was standing up in places like he’d been running his hands through his hair. “It’s happened again.”

Reynolds’ face drained of all color. “No.”

The sheriff stood there, waiting for the truth to sink in.

“You mean… there’s been another murder?” I asked.

He nodded. “She was found just like the others. It’s the exact same m.o.”

Reynolds winced. “Is it anyone we know?”

The sheriff hesitated. “She worked at Sugar,” he confirmed.

It was a gut punch revelation. I couldn’t believe this serial killer would be reckless enough to target the Salazars in any way. But he had. This would make three times now that he’d murdered someone from either Sugar or Cayenne. I would have worried that it was one of the Cinnamon Girls that Nadine, Jess, and Carmen were so close to, but they were all at the wedding. “Who?”

“Daniela.”