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Slayde’s face changes at once His ice blue eyes cut to me “Who is this Bennett?”

“I-I’ve neverat least Patrick were here to help me explain

Slayde is on his feet, walking to where I stand, as Lainey pours us another glass of wine “I need you to tell me,” he says

Kenny follows, standing behind hi his hand She’s so tiny, but Slayde’s not quite six foot He’s sli about him, from the way he hter

“You should probably hear this froaze “I don’t know the whole story, and I’”

“Just try” His expression is so intense, my chest clenches

“Derek didn’t actually tell ot the story second-hand from Patrick”

“Patrick knows?” Kenny’s brow lines, but Slayde cuts in

“Melissa,” his voice urges “Please”

I take a breath and tell him what I know “Bennett is a contract PI Derek used for cases here after he ton with me”

“He’s from Princeton?” Slayde asks

“I’m not sure If not, he’s from somewhere near here”

Slayde’s eyes wince “Go on”

“Derek didn’t know about this Patrick was floored telling me the connection” I try to reainst his son, who he called Shane” Slayde’s eyes wince again, and my heart beats painfully hard “He said Derek put him aith no mercy and he wanted Derek to suffer the same fate”

Slayde exhales a long breath, and covers Kenny’s sli the bold 21 inked near his thumb