“Fuck him.”
“Come on anyway.” Deklan moves around the Viper and grabs my hand to haul me outside the car.
Brian and Teagan are close behind us as Deklan holds my hand and leads me across the empty lot. When we get close, Arden gets out of the Camaro and nods at us.
“Expectations met?” he asks simply.
“I’m still standing, and he isn’t,” Deklan says. “I would say expectations were exceeded.”
Arden nods in acknowledgement.
“Holy shit, man!” Brian reaches out and shakes the bastard’s hand. “I’ve never even heard of someone shooting like that! How far were you?”
“About seven hundred meters. Sky is clear and there isn’t any wind today, which makes everything easier.”
“Day-um!” Brian leans over a little to peer into the back of the Camaro. I can see a large black bag in the back, presumably concealing a rifle.
I fold my arms across my chest. I don’t care if he did save our lives—I don’t want to stand here and compliment Kathy’s killer on his marksmanship.
Deklan hands the large envelope over to Arden.
“It’s all there,” Deklan says as Arden looks through the envelope. “Seventy-five large.”
“Yeah, it’s here.” Arden looks at me for the first time.
“We all good then?” Deklan asks.
“Can I have a sec with your wife?”
Deklan looks at me.
“Sure.” Deklan motions to Brian and Teagan. “Let’s go. Kera, just come to the car when you’re done.”
I watch dumbfounded as the others walk back toward the Viper, leaving me alone with Evan Arden. I glare at him. I have nothing to say to this man.
“I’m n
ot much for apologies,” he says. “Not sure I’ve ever apologized for anything, really. I just wanted you to know that I misread the situation, and I’m sorry about that. I wouldn’t have shot that girl if I’d known. I didn’t even know Kearney was married.”
“If you’re looking for forgiveness, you aren’t going to get it.” I keep glaring.
“That’s okay.” He shrugs. It doesn’t matter to him.
“Did Deklan put you up to this? Does he want me to play nice with you now so he can keep doing business with you?”
“Our business is done,” Arden says. “I’ll be back in Chicago before morning. And no, I didn’t even ask him if I could talk to you beforehand. I know there’s nothing I can say that could change what happened, but I want you to know I’d take it back if I could.”
“You’re right,” I say. “This doesn’t change anything.”
I place my hands on my hips. I’m being a complete bitch, and I don’t care. I don’t want his apologies. Nothing he says will take away the image in my head of Kathy lying on the sidewalk.
Arden nods slowly as he runs his hand over his short, cropped hair.
“I’m fucked up.” He stares at me with those piercing eyes and taps himself on the temple. “Something in here is broken, maybe always has been. I don’t know. I tried the whole relationship thing for a bit, but I sucked at it.”
I narrow my eyes at him. I have no idea why he’s saying such a thing, and again—I don’t care.
“What did you do, kill her?” I regret the words as soon as they’re out of my mouth.