Page 72 of Skin Game

There was some discussion, but in reality, no one place was large enough for everyone. In the end, they agreed to convene at the house Shay and Claribel had rented—after Casey took Gabe back to his house for a few much-needed minutes of peace and quiet.

“Etienne, Paul”—Claribel batted her eyelids, and Gabe covered a snort with a cough—“do come along and join us. These family gatherings are always a good time.”

Paul shot Casey a look, but Casey shrugged in response. They were adults and the Claribel Delacombe warning label was too long for a silent conversation.

“We would be happy to,” responded Etienne, entirely too chipper at the prospect of time in Claribel’s company. “Paul and I also must freshen up first. We will bring croissants. I prepared the dough two days ago.”

Casey sent Elton along with Shay. “We’ll be there as soon as we can.”

Elton harrumphed but didn’t argue.

Casey’d just maneuvered the Wagoneer out onto the ravaged dirt road when his cell phone pinged.

Mickie: Do you want to cash in that rain check? Lunch today?

“Your place is still a mess,”he warned Gabe, yet again.

Casey didn’t think Gabe was particularly attached to the mobile home. His gleaming espresso machine and Keith were probably the two most important things to him. And the espresso machine could be replaced. He’d have to ask Etienne what brand his machine was.

“Showerwith you, sexwith you, in that order. I need to wash the stench of Dirty Socks Randy and Sidekick William down the drain. My clothes are at my house, so my place it is,” Gabe said.

Casey had offered to grab his clothes and head back toThe Barbara,but Gabe had quickly nixed that.

“Shower together, I believe I said. Not happening on the damn boat.”

“So, what you’re saying is we’re gonna need a bigger boat?” Casey teased.

Gabe turned his head slowly in Casey’s direction. Casey could feel his eyes on the side of his face and let himself smile.

“Did you just make a joke, Ranger Man? AJawsreference? I think there may be hope for you yet.”

“Maybe I did. But seriously, I want you to be prepared for what you’re about to see.”

“I’m prepared. Who gives a fuck about stuff? Things can be replaced. You said you took Keith to Elton’s last night.”

“I did.”

“Well then, nothing else fucking matters. I suppose I might be a bit pissed off if they damaged my espresso machine.”

Casey stayed quiet, focusing on the road. He wasn’t turning his head and looking at Gabe.

Gabe gasped. “They did, didn’t they! Those assholes.”

“I think you may need a new one.”

He definitely did. The pieces on the kitchen floor didn’t resemble anything like an espresso maker anymore.

“At least Keith is okay. She is okay, right?”

That was at least the third or fourth time he’d asked about his cat. “Keith is good, maybe a little jumpier than usual, but she wasn’t hurt.”

“Good.”

At the house, Gabe refused to let Casey help him out of the car. Instead, he was forced to hover at Gabe’s shoulder and watch him sort of shuffle to the steps, stiff from hours cuffed to a chair with his ankles zip-tied. He was, at least, faster than Elton.

“The door’s locked.” Casey dug in his pocket and held out the sparkly Hello Kitty key ring. “But hey, we found your set of keys.”

Accepting them, Gabe managed a grin—Casey wondered how he did that—and plucked out the one to the door, then pressed it into the lock. “Here goes not a hell of a lot.”