She still had that visceral reaction, the same as when she’d been given the news of his death over the phone. It was soul deep, and her stomach rebelled every time, cramping and heaving. She pressed her trembling fingers to her lips and tried to breathe in air.
“I’m so sorry, princess,” Ice whispered, pressing kisses to the nape of her neck. His fingers caressed the side of her neck, right over that little bite that didn’t hurt anymore. He often touched it gently.
She shivered with awareness. She could hear the sincerity in his voice. He was too good to be true. Even Kevin had asked her what the hell was wrong with her that she would allow someone like Winston into her life, yet Ice never once acted like she should have known better.
“Winston instantly hired another attorney, a man by the name of Donald Monroe. I didn’t like anything about him, but he told me it was silly to press for a prenup, to just marry the man and put him out of his misery.”
Behind her, Ice stirred, his chest expanding and contracting. She heard and felt him take deep breaths, and that helped her breathe and continue.
“Winston had a list of men and women he wanted me to make nice with at charity events. He said he was going into politics and these people were important to his career. I think now, he wanted me cut off from others, and those on his list were helping him. He had a list of powerful people. Cops, lawyers, a city council member. He had a list of very wealthy older women, all widows.”
Ice shrugged. “Keep going, baby. Where does the danger to the club come in?”
She knew he prompted her because he was afraid she wouldn’t tell him. She had made up her mind he needed to know. They all did. She just wanted him to know the weapons Winston could wield if he chose. He liked throwing his weight around. He’d hurt the club just because he could, and he’d gloat about it.
“I wanted time after Kevin died, but Winston insisted on going to Vegas. He swore he wouldn’t bring up marriage, and I agreed to come just to shut him up. It was so stupid of me. I just wanted a little peace.”
She closed her eyes and leaned back against Ice, absorbing the feel of him. After she told him, he might be gone, but she’d have this memory.
“He was so angry when I refused to get married, and when I told him I’d officially fired the attorney, he hit me repeatedly. My face . . .” She touched her ribs. “He said to clean up, we were getting married in half an hour.”
She looked at him over her shoulder because she needed to see his face when she told him the rest. “I had the door to the bathroom partially open and he had the bedroom door open so he could hear me if I tried anything. I heard him talking on the phone. To make a long story short, he’s part of a ring of con men who target lonely women with money. They research their target and then one of them becomes her perfect man. They marry and then, sadly, the wife dies. Usually by an accident. Apparently, I’m such a pain in the ass, Winston couldn’t wait to kill me. Kevin’s accident was arranged by this con artist ring as well. He was murdered.”
Outside, along the bank of windows, the dark sky turned even blacker. Clouds, looking as if they’d been washed in soot, roiled and spun, churning angrily. Winds battered them continually until the moment the clouds broke open, spilling out a deluge of water. The drops battered at the window as if trying to get to them—to get to Soleil.
She could feel the temperature in the water rising. Ice’s heart beat so hard she felt it pounding through her back.
“That worthless little dick was really planning on murdering you?”
The words were so low she barely caught them. His face was expressionless, but his eyes were alive with a storm all their own. She had the feeling that all the turbulence outside was being caused by Ice, although she couldn’t figure out how.
“Yes. That was the plan. I heard every word. They even threatened Winston. They said I was an easy mark and if he couldn’t lock me down, he was the one who was going to pay. I don’t really know who they all are, only that there are several. I couldn’t go to the police, so I just ran. I’d met Lana and she’d given me her phone number, so when I saw the motorcycles, I just went into the bar without thinking.”
“That little fuckin’ pussy. He’s a fuckin’ dead man,” Ice spat out. “Fuck him, Soleil. You’re safe with me. If that little dick thinks he can kill you, he’s out of his mind. Let him try to take on Torpedo Ink. He’ll realize he has a tiger by the tail. On the other hand, I believe in being proactive. Tomorrow, we’ll go to Czar and the others and you’re going to tell us everything you can about the others who might be in this ring.”