Reckless Marriage Unyielding Love

Chapter 183

Mikayla's fingers danced off the keyboard, a sly grin ghosting her lips. She ridiculed inwardly, 'If he could funnel that swagger into grinding, he might actually impress. But what good's swagger if it's all talk, no walk? He is all bark, living in his folks' shadow, and coasting at the gig.' Mikayla shook her head, tapping away on her keys. She had her fill of Logan's family, ready to drop the hammer if they stirred more chaos. Some vibes were better left unspoken; the other side needed to learn when to back off. The workday hummed along smoothly, and Mikayla rushed to wrap up the reports before jetting. She aimed to hammer out the rest at home after hours. The morning buzz lingered in her mind.

Salvatore Group staggered departmental clocks, avoiding crushes at shift swaps. Mikayla exited with her squad, cramming into the elevator. Patricia's zest lit up the vibe. Josiah waited by the entrance, and Mikayla reached him. "Ms. Salvatore, catch you later!" Patricia bid farewell to Mikayla with enthusiasm.

"Ms. Salvatore, till tomorrow!" another girl echoed Patricia.

"Yep. See you around." Mikayla dished out her goodbyes and hopped into Josiah's ride. Settled in the backseat, she piped up, "Police station."

Josiah was a man of few words, a simple "Cool" slipping out.

Cruising down the streets, Mikayla gazed out the window, taking in the Xosa bustle. She'd asked Josiah to slide her home today to keep Carlos out of the loop. Better she handled this on the down-low. Despite the cozy vibe with Carlos, when things turned hefty, she preferred to take charge solo and close the deal herself.

The black sedan soon parked at the police station. Exiting the ride, Mikayla rapped on the window, and Josiah rolled it down pronto. "I figure I'll be out in 30. If it stretches, I'll buzz you. Or hit up one of those joints around here." Mikayla scoped a few cozy diners in the area. With dinner looming, she didn't want Josiah on standby. Xosa nightlife thrived, but flagging a cab could be a chore later, leaving her no choice but to let Josiah swing her home.

"Got it!" Josiah nodded. Truth be told, Mikayla had never known Josiah to turn down anything.

Chatting it up with Josiah, Mikayla spun around and clocked Lucas posted up at the entrance, like he was there for her on purpose.

struck Lucas as different. Back in her wedding zone, where he was present too, she was a show-stopper, the belle of the ball; now, aside from her looks, she had a savvy air about her. Living in the same burg as Mikayla, Lucas had heard buzz about her digging in at the family's gig. Hard to picture the quiet, brainy school standout opting to

figured you'd show up any minute. Total coincidence catching you as I headed down." Lucas tossed a smile with arched brows. Chirping away, he angled his head, wary the cig stench might

something to show you

winks. Mikayla clocked the vibes but brushed it off. Probably pegging her as

A bold soul let

"Brung your lady here before?"

rock out, so we split!" Then, he swung his

Mikayla tossed the question,

no lingering on

she clocked a

not for the general area, she'd swear Lucas had switched spots. This time,

Ms. Salvatore, what's your poison?" The young lad who caught Lucas's boot earlier, pretty fresh-faced, flashed

to show you." Hearing this, Mikayla sidled

felt a ping of familiarity with the figure on the photo but couldn't quite place it. "Looks like Mildred's bro, who I met once, but I am not entirely sure." She and Logan's squad weren't tight. They bounced from the Salvatore manor before she hit the scene. Unless business was afoot, their visits

Mildred's bro,

out, her mental gears whirring. 'Aunt Mildred's kin? Maybe a