Page 126 of Lethal Vengeance

I immediately stand. “No. I’ll go check.” The door to the ladies bathroom is wide open. Panic tries to take hold, but I stomp it out. A flash of green at the bar stops me in my tracks. She’s at the bar laughing with the old man next to her.

I come along her side and place my arm around her waist. “Admiral.” I greet the old geezer with a respectful nod.

He glares at me. “Zane. Damn it, I was hoping this pretty young thing was available. How did you swing her?”

I look down at her green eyes shining with laughter. “Hell, if I know. She didn’t like me much at first. Guess I wore her down.”

He laughs and slaps the bar. “Good for you.”

Joe sets two beers down in front of her, but I reach out and take them.

“Thanks, Joe. Admiral.”

“Is he really an Admiral?” she whispers when we walk away.

“He was. War hero, too,” I inform her.

Our food comes shortly after we sit back down.

“This grouper is delicious, but the hushpuppies are chef’s kiss!” she exclaims. “You know we’re going to have to come back here often, don’t you?”

The words settle into my bones, erasing any lingering doubts about her feelings for me.

54

QUINN

Using his arm to balance, I slip off my shoes and walk out onto the cool night sand, with Zane behind me. The inky midnight water is smooth as glass tonight, with little waves lapping onto the shore. We walk for about a half mile, then stop. I breathe in deeply and turn to flash Zane a smile. Even with the threat of Rodrigo hanging over us, this has been an incredible date.

He wraps an arm around my shoulders and pulls me back against him. “So, where are we going on our second date?”

My mouth twitches. “A cooking class?”

He chuckles. “Absolutely not. What about a jazz club?

I shrug. “I’m not sure I’ve ever really been to one.”

“There’s a great indoor—outdoor jazz place here. Perfect for dancing,” he tells me.

“Dancing, huh? You really are pulling out all the stops,” I tease him. “I’d love to.”

He bends down and whispers, “He’s here. Behind me. Are you ready?”

I slide a hand to the inside of my thigh and pull out the knife Raider picked for me. “Ready.”

He chuckles. “I want you to tell me later how you managed to hide that big knife under that tiny dress. Wait for it. Now.”

Zane and I turn. Rodrigo rushes toward us. Cruz appears suddenly, to the right of Rodrigo, forcing him to come to a stop.

“We’ve been waiting for you, Rodrigo. Tell me, what did you hope to accomplish? Or was the need driving you? You know, the one that escapes from you now and again,” I taunt him. “The one that made you kill Lupe.”

“You’re mine. Armando promised you to me when I told him you killed Julio,” he hisses.

“Funny, Armando told me he wanted me for himself,” I say in a droll voice. “Which is it?”

Rage eclipses the cunning in his eyes. “He had some crazy idea to raise Gabriel with you. It didn’t mean anything.” He waves a knife in the air. “Remember this? I found it buried in Armando’s chest.”

Confused, I tilt my head. “The only way you could have found it is if you followed us. How?”