Page 12 of Desperate Justice

Allison pursed her lips. She had a lovely mouth, soft lips in a Cupid’s bow. A brief thought flashed across his mind—what would her mouth feel like beneath the subtle pressure of his?

You’ll never find out, chump. She’s not for you. Find a nice Cuban girl who prefers a Mercedes-Benz over a motorcycle.

“Your family is here, right? Most of them?”

Rafe glanced around the crowded waiting room. More of the relatives had arrived to join the long wait. Except for two other strangers, his family took up all the space. “I’d say all of them, actually. And some of Sofia’s friends.”

Sofia joined them and slid an arm around Rafe’s waist. “Thank you for saving my nana. Myquinzdoesn’t matter as much as she does. That’s the best birthday present anyone can give me.”

Allison’s smile softened. Never had she looked at him that way, but he felt a strange tug in his chest.

“I daresay all of you won’t leave the hospital anyway, until you see Elena is okay,” she said.

Vigorous nods all around.

She glanced at her phone. “It’s late, but I hate to see a good party ruined. Aquinzonly happens once. Let me think.”

As she glanced around, he recognized the spark in her eyes. Allison had a daring side, one he’d glimpsed when working with her when she’d accepted the assignment to be an informant.

“There’s a new doctor’s lounge on the second floor, away from the patient rooms. It hasn’t been officially opened yet, but it’s finished. We could set something up, if you rescue the cake and some drinks, no alcohol, and maybe someone can plug in their iPhone for music...”

Several voices began talking in excited tones. One of Sofia’s friends who lived closest to the hospital offered to go home and get his portable speaker.

Sofia ran over and hugged her. “You’re so nice!”

Rafe felt a tingle of gratitude toward her. “You sure this is okay? Don’t you need approval?”

Allison grinned. “From whom? It’s after midnight. Besides, I have a key.”

There it was again, that spark of defiance and nonconformity. Troublemaker. He hesitated as Sofia gave him a pleading look. Hell, everyone was looking to him for the nod of approval.

“Uncle Rafey, please?”

Allison’s grin turned crooked. “Please, Uncle Rafey? I promise it will be okay. I won’t even be there long because I do have to work.”

Instead of answering, he chucked Sofia under the chin. “You got it. Anything for you.”

She clapped her hands, and the glum teens perked up.

Rafe turned to Allison. “Thank you for doing this for her.”

Some unknown emotion crossed her face. “It’s not a big deal. I hate seeing kids disappointed. Come on, I’ll show you where the lounge is.”

* * *

An hour later, the party was in full swing. Most of the adults sat on the sidelines drinking the sodas brought from the hall. The cake had been cut and Sofia presented with her doll that symbolized her last gift from childhood.

Never had he been more proud of his niece. Her selfless attitude toward the party and focus on her grandmother had both her parents beaming with pride.

The door opened and Allison walked in bearing a small bowl filled with colorful circles and some unopened bags. “It’s my dinner break and I thought I’d contribute to the festivities with this candy. Not that any of you need more sugar.”

She set the bowl down on one of the round dining tables. Rafe joined her.

Alison hummed along to the music and moved her body. “Good times.”

Amused at her gyrations—yeah, she had rhythm—he waved at the speaker. “You like salsa?”

“Sometimes. No time for dancing, though. My schedule is usually demanding, and there’s classes to keep up my license, things like that. I thought about taking lessons so I don’t make a complete fool of myself at my little sister’s wedding.”