Happily Never After Read Free

entered while singing the alphabet song. The simple act of singing calmed her nerves and helped her remember to breathe.
    After the attack, every time she left her apartment and returned was a test of willpower. She’d received numerous threats while prosecuting bad guys over the years. It was part of the job. But now those threats didn’t seem quite so inconceivable.
    It had also become automatic to leave the bathroom door wide open, and the shower curtain back. The compulsion to check and double check the locks on each door rode her all through the night. Being in a strange hotel ramped her insecurity up to a new level.
    Satisfied that the room was empty, she swallowed some pills for a headache. Her limbs were unwieldy when she peeled off her suit. It required extra effort to pull the comforter back and climb on the bed. The stress of the long drive had zapped her strength and she drifted to sleep.
    He eased down the street toward her. His death-filled eyes kept her rooted to the spot. People screamed and hurried to get out of the way. The gun lifted in slow motion. A flash exploded from the barrel and pain jolted her as she fell to the pavement. Other shots rang out, and Otis Warren’s dead face was mere inches away from hers.
    “You did this to me.”
    Oceans of blood flowed from his wounds. She choked on the vile fluid and tried to claw her way out from under him.
    Kelsey bolted upright and flew out of bed. She backed into a corner and crouched low using a pillow to stifle her screams as she scanned the dim room. Beige walls, plush carpet, and a desk. The only thing breaking the silence was the hum of the air conditioner. Safe.
    Her chest ached where the bullet had entered her body. Slick with sweat and hair plastered to her head, she willed her rioting emotions to calm down. She sang while rocking back and forth on her knees. A dull roar sounded in her ears, and her head felt as if it would shoot off into the night sky.
    The time glowing on the clock made her drag herself up off the floor. She needed to wash away the stench of the nightmare. Then she would spend the afternoon getting her act together before meeting David for dinner at seven.
    Once she arrived at the restaurant, it was automatic to survey the place for any threat. Mouth dry, she struggled to control her twitchy muscles. Please, not here, not now . She opened and closed her hands in an attempt to calm down.
    David and Bev entered the foyer and hurried toward her.
    “What’s wrong?” David demanded enfolding her in his arms.
    She sucked in a deep breath and the soothing scent of David’s familiar aftershave gave her comfort. “Nothing. I’m a little nervous, I guess.” Her heartbeat began to slow back to normal.
    Bev tugged her loose from her husband and whispered in Kelsey’s ear. “Sis, I’m so glad you’re here.”
    Tears pooled in Kelsey’s eyes at the term of endearment. David met Bev while attending law school, and Kelsey found an instant big sister. They’d spent hours together while he studied. Bev’s curly red locks and blue eyes made quite a contrast to his dark hair and midnight eyes.
    “Let’s tell someone we’re here before we lose our reservations. We can all catch up at dinner.” David hustled them further inside.
    The aroma’s drifting through the room made Kelsey’s mouth water. A waitress sashayed by with a tray of sizzling food and she inhaled the delicious scent of grilled meat. When was the last time she’d eaten?
    The hostess seated them at once. Kelsey paused from reading the menu. “So, tell me, how are the munchkins? I wish you’d brought them with you tonight.”
    Bev bloomed at the mention of their five-year-old twin girls before she laughed and rolled her eyes. “No, you actually don’t. They’ve reached the constant chatter stage. No matter who you are, no matter where you are, they are always talking. They might not even be speaking to anyone specifically, but the noise continues to spew