Page 46 of Rum & Coke

“Okay.”

Tessa finally opened her door, and I followed. We walked inside and were welcomed by my friends, plus two other people I didn’t know.

“What’s up, man?” Paul greeted as he gave me a bro hug consisting of a strong handshake and a pat on the back.

“Hey,” I replied and then turned to Gabe and gave him the same hug. “Thanks for doing this.”

“No problem,” Paul stated. “Vin, this is my Joss and her best friend, Seth. They’re here for—”

“Practice,” Joss cut in and glared at Paul as she extended her hand toward me. I got the impression she was used to the guy not being able to keep his mouth shut.

“Nice to meet you,” I replied, and we all shook hands.

I turned to Tessa. “This is Tessa. Tessa, you remember Gabe and Paul.” She waved hello, and so did they. “This is Autumn, Gabe’s fiancée, and like you heard, Seth and Joss.” She shook hands with them too.

“Now that we got the formalities out of the way,” Paul chimed in, “it’s time to show this little lady how to shoot.” He turned and went to the counter with Gabe, but we didn’t follow.

Autumn stepped toward Tessa. “Gabe told me that you had a stalker the other night.”

I looked to Gabe, wondering how he knew. He motioned his head in Paul’s direction, and it clicked.

“I’m not sure if it’s a stalker,” Tessa replied. “But someone followed me when I left work the other night.”

“Where do you work?” Joss asked. “I can maybe look into it when I’m done with the case we’re working on.”

“You’re a cop?” Tessa asked.

“FBI actually.”

“I’m a cop,” Seth stated. I knew he was here to help, but I assumed he was with the FBI too.

“Thank you, but I already contacted Vegas Metro, and they’re supposed to be following up,” Tessa informed them.

“If they don’t, or it happens again, let me know,” Joss said.

Tessa smiled at her. “I will. Thank you.”

“Where is it that you work?” Autumn asked again.

Tessa turned her head to look up at me, and I grinned at her. I assumed Autumn would be okay with it given she knew all about S&R and the fact that I still worked there. Shit, how was it possible that I was in a group of people that consisted of two former male escorts, an FBI agent, a cop, a stripper, a current male escort, and a—well, I didn’t know what Autumn did. She used to be a housewife, but I knew that she now helped Gabe and Paul with their self-defense classes.

“Red Diamond,” Tessa replied.

“The strip club?” Autumn asked.

Tessa nodded, and I placed my arm around her, letting her know I was going to live up to my promise. Paul and Gabe came back with target sheets and whatever else we needed.

“Were you the stripper from the bachelor party?” Autumn questioned.

Tessa peered up at me again. “Yes?” It came out like a question, and I knew it was because she was nervous to admit the truth.

Autumn smiled and punched Paul in the arm. “This jackass said they were only going camping. I found out when Gabe got home that they’d hired you.”

“Are you mad?” I asked, stepping in.

Autumn chuckled. “No, I’m not mad. Paul has a big mouth, but not when it comes to strippers apparently.”

“Good to know,” Joss chimed in.