Chapter 4
Lennox felt like she’d been struck by lightning.
Watching Raina laugh and joke with Hayes’s crew like they were old friends–this clearly wasn’t her first rodeo with his inner circle.
When the hell had he brought her into the fold?
And Lennox had been completely clueless.
All those times his buddies called her “Mrs. Montgomery” to her face–were they laughing behind her back? Pitying the poor fool who didn’t even know her own fiancé had checked out?
Her nails bit into her palms as she watched the scene unfold.
Truth or dare was in full swing, the bottle pointing straight at Raina.
Whatever challenge they’d thrown at her had the whole table chanting “Drink! Drink! Drink!” But one look at Raina’s wide, helpless eyes and Hayes was snatching the shot glass, downing it himself.
“Enough.” His voice cut through the noise. “Raina’s not feeling great. Quit being dicks.”
More knowing laughter rippled through the booth.
d
Few spins later, Raina was up again. This dare was simple–ask someone for something they’re wearing.
Her shy gaze drifted to Hayes before landing on his wrist. “Your bracelet… could I maybe…?”
Lennox’s heart stopped.
The wooden prayer beads. Her mother’s bracelet. The only thing she had left.
Hayes barely hesitated. Just rolled those familiar beads between his fingers and slipped them right off.
Cold shot through her like a bullet, leaving her shaking.
E
She could still hear herself years ago: “This is the most precious thing I own, Hayes.”
And his response, soft and sure: “Then I’ll never take it off. Promise.”
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When she’d noticed it missing in her past life, he’d fed her some bullshit about keeping it safe so it wouldn’t get damaged. She’d been stupid enough to
believe him.
Now she knew the truth. He’d handed her most precious memory to the one person guaranteed to destroy her.
Fuck this.
Lennox shoved through the door, eyes blazing. “Give it back. Now.”
The entire booth went dead silent.
Hayes went pale, scrambling toward her. “Len, it’s not what you think-”
“Then what is it?”
She tried to push past him, but Raina had already melted behind Hayes like smoke.
15:16
A Billion–Dollar Goodbye: Too Late for Second Chances. Mr. Ex
2.4%
Chapter 4
“Hayes…” Raina’s voice was barely a whisper.
And Hayes–Hayes fucking shielded her.
Something vital cracked inside Lennox’s chest. “Seriously? You’re gonna protect her? After everything her family did to mine?”
Hayes’s jaw worked silently before he found his voice. “I didn’t tell you because I knew you’d react like this.”
“She saved my life once, Len. Almost died doing it. I know you hate her mother, but Raina… she’s not like that,”
“I don’t give a fuck what she’s like!”
Lennox’s voice cracked. “You want to play hero? Fine. But don’t use my shit to do it. Give me that back!”
Raina shrank back, tears welling. “But Hayes gave it to me… I’ve never wanted anything so much…”
Her voice broke completely. “Nobody’s ever given me something so special before. You can’t just… take back gifts…”
She pressed a hand to her chest and started that delicate little cough.
The room held its breath.
Hayes’s face softened as he rubbed her back, then turned to Lennox with something like resignation,
“Just let her keep it, Len.”
Six words that hit like a sledgehammer to the chest.
Lennox didn’t budge, her voice raw: “That’s my mother’s bracelet, Hayes. My dead mother’s bracelet.”
“You’re handing it over to the daughter of her killer. You want mom spinning in her grave?”
Hayes’s throat bobbed, but before he could speak, Raina’s coughing fit cut him off.
Tears streaming, Raina walked toward Lennox with the bracelet extended. “If you really need it back…”
Just as Lennox reached for it, Raina suddenly grabbed her wrist and threw herself backward.
Crack!
The bracelet went flying, hitting the floor with a sound like breaking bones.
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