Page 78 of No Mistakes

“That’ll be $18.50,” she says.

I slide a twenty across, ignoring the highway robbery price tag as my purse cries. Now’snotthe time to start a debate on muffin economics.

Mandy’s arm brushes mine, the silent cue we’ve used for years on jobs. I follow her glance towards the far end of the counter. There he is. Benny. Polishing a sheet of glass with the force of a man wiping away all his deadliest sins.

We drift closer, close enough to hear the hiss of the espresso machine, but not so close that we’re obviously zeroing in. I pretend to study the chalkboard specials. Rob’s old mantra playing in my head:Hook the fish first.

“So…” Mandy says, her voice casual but just loud enough to carry. “The drop’s still on for tomorrow night?

I give a small shrug, eyes still on the board. “Far as I know. The boss says the warehouse is already lined up.”

“And the cops?” she asks. “We're sure they’ll be in another district?”

Out of the corner of my eye, I catch Benny pause mid-polish. The rag makes one final swipe before he sets it down, turning just enough to face us. He steps closer, looking around us beforeleaning in closer, and I have to stop myself from choking on the stench of his aftershave.

“So er, you girls doing a drop?” He asks, his voice low.

I glance at him, acting surprised. “You know about that world?”

His smirk widens, shoulders squaring as if he’s about to prepare a renowned speech. “Pfft. Know about it? Sweetheart, Iownhalf the storage space this side of Chicago. If your boss is smart, he’ll ditch whatever hole he’s using and let me set him up proper.”

I tilt my head, playing along. “And that would cost us…?”

“Foryou?” His gaze slides down, lingering on my skirt in a way that makes my skin prickle, before drifting back up to my face. “Let’s just say I’d give you a friendly rate. Plus, I’ve got friends on the docks. If you’re moving product, I can make sure it comes in and out without a single badge sniffing around.”

I let a slow smile curl at the corner of my mouth, enough to keep him talking, but not enough to promise anything. “We’ll think about it.”

The woman at the register calls out to us. “Ladies, lattes up!”

We look at Benny, nodding towards him as we move to collect them, but he steps in front of us, blocking our way as he rests a forearm on the glass. “Seriously. Tell your boss, Benny’s got him covered. If he’s smart enough, he will take the offer.”

Mandy tucks the muffins under her arm while I grab the drinks. “We’ll pass it along,” she says lightly, walking ahead of me.

We’re almost to the door when it happens. His hand shoots out, sliding under the hem of my skirt. Fingers pressing against me just hard enough to make me freeze mid-step as he grips onto me.

He sucks in a breath, moaning as he releases me from his hold, and for a split second, I can’t breathe.

Mandy turns, her eyes flash, fury sparking behind them.

“See you girls later, yeah?” Benny shouts, backing away, smirking like he’s just marked his territory. I catch the unmistakable bulge in his trousers, and nausea surges hot in my throat.

Mandy grabs my arm and steers me out into the cold.

“Eva, are you okay?” she asks, her voice tight.

“I’ve nev… That’s never happened to me before,” I manage, my voice cracking.

Her gaze searches my face before darting to the SUV, where Gunnar is already getting out. “Let’s get you home.”

She keeps a firm grip on me as we cross the street, and she pulls open the back door. I slide in, coffee still clutched in my hand like an anchor.

Gunnar returns to his seat, twisting to us, his eyes sharp. “Someone gonna tell me what the fuck happened in there for her to look likethis?”

I open my mouth, but nothing comes out.

Mandy rests a hand on my arm, answering for both of us. “We need to get back to the house.Now.”

CHAPTER 33