Page 59 of Gin & Jewels

“I need to watch my figure, Mom.” I smirked.

Her gaze moved to Cassie as Cassie wiped down a table. “Uh-huh.”

My phone buzzed on the counter as Mom walked away to ask the chef to make my salad.

Seth:Investigation is underway.

Me:Thanks. Let me know if you hear anything.

Cassie had given me the names of the cities where they’d stopped and pawned the jewelry, and I had texted Seth all the information. She wasn’t sure if she remembered all of them or not, but it was enough to start Keith’s takedown.

I honestly couldn’t wait toofficiallymeet her brother. I wanted to know why he would do everything he’d done to her. Why he would risk her life when he robbed the store. What if she had been shot? What if she had died because of it? I was lucky that the bullet had hit me where it had. Six or so inches over, and it would have pierced my heart. Cassie told me that they said the guns weren’t supposed to be loaded and that her brother’s friend—the one who had answered the door when I picked her up for the wedding—changed his mind, and he was actually the one who shot me. I couldn’t wait to see him again, either. To tell him face to face that I knew it was him, and to watch as he went down in flames with her brother.

It was only a matter of time.

Mom set my salad in front of me. “Hey, Mom?” I called out before she could walk away.

“Yeah, honey?”

“You’re going to need a new waitress.”

“Why’s that?”

“We’re going back to Vegas.” I pierced a strawberry with my fork.

“She’s going back to Vegas with you?”

“Yes, but—” I caught myself before telling her that Vegas was actually where Cassie was from. I needed to wait until I was able to tell her the entire truth.

“Yes, but what?”

I shook my head. “Nothing. Just a heads up that she won’t be returning tomorrow.”

My mom’s brown eyes widened. “Tomorrow?”

“I know. We’re going to tell you everything when you get home.”

“Damnit, Bradley. This is killing me.”

“Just trust me.”

She smiled warmly. “I do.”

Mom walked away, and Cassie walked up a few moments later. “So I was thinking.”

“Yeah?”

“Keith picks me up after my shift. He’s going to be waiting in the parking lot for me.”

“Okay.”

“He already thinks you’re a cop. Once he sees me with you, he’ll get spooked.”

“Then we’ll leave early.”

“I can’t.”

“I’ll talk to Mom. She’ll cover for you.”