Page 82 of Sentinel's Kiss

“No,” Sentinel said. “Alibi up just in case. I’ll be at the hospital if anyone asks, right, Ryder?”

She nodded. “I’m sure I can doctor the volunteer log.”

“And bring Ashley home.”

Ryder attached a pin on him. “Keep this on you so I can monitor your whereabouts. Make sure you answer if I call you. Stay in contact.”

“Yes, Mom.” He rolled his eyes.

When they left the boardroom, Ashley was standing right outside. Sentinel knew the boardroom was soundproof, but she looked at all of them suspiciously.

“Looks like I’m the only one sober enough to drive you home. You ready?” Ryder asked. “Or you can stick around and have a few drinks with us. Last call was a half hour ago, but there’s always a private party on the VIP floor.”

“So I saw,” Ashley said. “Thanks, but I’m beat. I’ve got an interview early tomorrow.”

Not if he could help it, but just in case Stan got lucky and escaped his death, Sentinel confirmed, “With Stan?”

“You want some company?” Ryder smiled and hooked her arm through Ashley’s, effectively walking her to the stairs leading down into the bar.

“Good night,” Evil said, waving. He left to go to his suite of rooms on the other side of the VIP lounge.

“Stan wants to meet with me alone,” Ashley said.

“Okay. You can call me anytime, you know,” Ryder said.

“Thanks.” Ashley smiled and looked back at Sentinel.

He winked at her. When they got back to the bar, Naomi was setting the chairs on top of the tables.

“Have a nice night,” Warden said to them before walking over to Naomi and helping her out.

Evil was covered by being at home with his wife, and it looked like Warden was going to spend some time with Naomi for his alibi.

“Give us a minute, Ryder?” Sentinel asked.

“I’ll be in the parking lot,” she said.

Sentinel pulled Ashley into his arms. “Thanks for understanding.”

“You do this every night?”

He liked the way she ran her hands up and down his arms. He grabbed on to her ass and pulled her against him. “Yeah. If you want, I can cut down.”

“Do what you need to do. It’s just, I’m not sure I’ll ever be all right to join you in it.”

“It’s okay.” He kissed her upturned nose. “I told you, you’re perfect.” He kissed her mouth, deepening it when she sighed in pleasure. Sentinel could kiss her for hours, would like to be back upstairs with her right now.

“You’re going to be late.” Ashley pulled away from him reluctantly.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” he said. Slinging his arm around her, he walked her out to where Ryder sat on her bike. She was texting something. His phone pinged, and when she saw them, she zipped her phone into her jacket.

“Drive safe,” he said as Ashley got on the back of Ryder’s Harley.

Ryder handed Ashley a helmet and then took off down the street.

He looked at the text Ryder sent him:

Get all the information. Be sure he’s the killer. Ask him about Sarah.