Justin waved a hand dismissively. “What’s the difference? It’s all the
same.”
He had no interest in dissecting the issue further and instead turned to Henson, who was looking oddly pleased with himself for reasons Justin couldn’t fathom.
“So, what did you find out?”
Henson, though clearly itching to add that model on social media, put the jokes aside when it came to business. He straightened up, his tone turning serious. “It’s all clear now.”
Justin’s brow furrowed, his instincts as sharp as ever. “This mess–did the Vance family start it?”
Henson grinned, his eyes narrowing as he replied, “The Vances really are a walking disaster. Do you know Salome?”
Justin had been quietly gathering information on the Vance family for years now. Of course he knew who Salome was.
“What about her? Is she the one behind this?”
A suspicion had already taken root in Justin’s mind–maybe Salome had figured out Beckett’s true identity, which would explain her sudden urge to make Edith’s life hell.
Henson handed over a folder with Jeffry’s information. “This guy’s Salome’s brother. He never really interacted with Edith before, but I guess he’s following Salome’s orders–he’s the one who kidnapped her.”
Justin fixed his gaze on the file. There was a photo of Jeffry clipped to the front. For a long moment, he stared at that picture, his expression hardening into something fierce and dangerous–an edge no one in the room had ever seen from him before.
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Thorpe elbowed Henson, glancing meaningfully in Justin’s direction.
After so many years as friends, Henson instantly got the message. There was something unsettling about the look in Justin’s eyes.
Trying to lighten the mood, Henson frowned and said, “Justin, don’t worry about small fry like him. Let me handle it. No need for you to get your hands dirty.”
What he really feared was Justin doing something reckless–there was no point wasting effort on a parasite like Jeffry.
A moment later, Justin let the rare, chilling look fall away, and a faint smile touched his lips. It was a practiced expression, meant to reassure everyone that he was fine.
Henson and Thorpe, who knew Justin better than anyone, saw right through it. They exchanged glances, silently offering up a prayer for anyone foolish enough to cross Justin’s path.
Hope they don’t end up too miserable.
Justin slipped the file into his coat. “I’ve got some free time lately, and I wouldn’t mind dealing with this little pest myself. No need for you guys to bother.”
After a few more minutes of small talk, Justin made to leave.
Suddenly, Thorpe seemed to remember something. He tugged Justin’s sleeve and asked, “Hey, what about your wedding? Can Henson and I come? If so, I can bring some medicine along tomorrow–just in case.”
Henson laughed. “Come on, we’re not that scary–looking. You think we’ll freak Edith out? She didn’t seem rattled at all when you carried her out of that dump earlier–looked pretty calm to me.”
Justin considered for a couple of seconds. “You can come. I’ll introduce you to Edith. You should meet properly anyway.”
Henson couldn’t help a strange feeling, like they were standing in front of
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some disapproving in–laws. He and Thorpe were two of the most eligible bachelors in Northcrest–how had Justin managed to make them sound so… pitiful?
After Justin left, Henson slung an arm over Thorpe’s shoulder and sighed. “I’ve seen guys get stupid over love, but Justin takes the cake. If Edith tells him to jump, he won’t even hesitate. Looks like, from now on, we’ll be answering to her.”
Thorpe snorted and turned to Henson. “Drop the ‘looks like‘-it’s a guarantee.”
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.