Page 16

Fancy

I wake up alone in bed. I hear Kade’s voice but can’t make out the words. He and Rico must be trying to be quiet so I can sleep.

Rico and Kade. Two men. Two lovers. I never saw this coming. Never felt this sexual if I’m honest. No one I’ve dated has ever appealed to me the way these men do. But gamblers and thugs have never been my thing.

Mom’s example in love sucked. Most of the men she dated were assholes. Except Phil and she was too dumb to choose the good man.

I’m so over Vegas. I realize there are good people here but my memories, the influences I’ve had… I just want different. A clean slate.

Vegas has never been my ideal home. I dreamed of getting away, to go anywhere else. I snort back a laugh. I’ve barely been out of the city.

Now with both Phil and Mom gone, there’s no reason to stay. I’m free to leave. The sooner the better as far as I’m concerned.

As soon as I get my revenge.

I want Adorno and DeStefano to pay. The rage inside me demands that I be the one to deliver retribution. They took from me. I want to be the one to deliver their downfall. My mother wasn’t innocent, but she didn’t deserve what they did to her.

Phil is… was a good man. He died trying to protect me. I have to make this right.

Climbing from bed, I go to the bathroom. Geez, my backpack is still in the corner. I check the box inside making sure I reset the lock. Everything will be there when I need it.

Dressing, I go in search of my men. A woman with thick red hair twisted on top of her head, held in place by hair sticks, sits at the breakfast bar eating an orange. She glances my way and gives me a very detailed head-to-foot inspection.

Kade turns. The warmth in his expression eases my—oh damn, is that jealousy?

Wrapping his arms around me he hugs me then gives me a quick kiss.

“Fancy this is Roja. Rico and I have worked with her a couple times. She’s a friend of Diego’s who’s in town.

They work for the same security company.

Although, she tells me he’s backed off quite a bit since he’s gotten with his woman. ”

I hold out my hand to shake. Her grip is strong, almost like she’s testing me. I refuse to flinch. Her tilted grin tells me she noticed.

“You want coffee?” Kade asks.

“Please.” I glance at the clock over the stove. “Is it really noon?”

Roja chuckles. “It’s almost midnight, sleeping beauty.”

“Almost.” Kade places the mug in front of me. That’s when I notice he’s wearing a very high-end dress shirt and suit pants. Something akin to what Adorno wears. It looks a hell of a lot sexier on Kade. “What’s going on? Where’s Rico?”

Roja raises her eyebrow and looks at Kade. “Ooh, favorites already?”

I’m not doing this. I’m not playing games. I’m not— “Yes, Rico. My other man. In case he didn’t tell you, Kade, Rico and I are together. What’s your relationship here?”

She smirks. “I like this one. She may actually be able to handle you two assholes.”

Kade gives his head a shake. “Roja, give us a few.”

Taking her mug, she goes to the patio door and steps onto the deck.

“Kade?”

“It’s nothing. We met her briefly when we were on another case.”

I tilt my head. “Met? Or hooked up?”

He snorts. “Met, as in worked professionally together for a couple hours. She likes to unsettle people to see what they’ve got. She’s a good operative. I trust you with her. She’s here for a case of her own but it hasn’t started yet.”

“Where is Rico?”

“He’s at the casino. We need to finish this.”

“Then why the hell aren’t you with him?”

“I couldn’t leave you alone. She just got here.”

“The doors lock. You showed me the security system. I can take care of myself. Don’t do this to me. Don’t put yourself or each other in danger because you’re worried about me. I can’t deal with that. I can’t deal with losing you like I have Phil. I can’t live with any more guilt.”

“Sweetheart.”

He reaches for me and I step back. “Go. Go take care of Rico. Of each other. And you damn well both better come back unharmed.”

He grabs his suit jacket from the chair back and crosses to the door leading into the garage.

I rush after him, stopping him. Cupping his face in both hands I kiss him, pouring all my love and fear into that one action. “You damn well both better be home later. I need you. Be safe.”

“We need you too, sweetheart. I can’t tell you when, we may not be able to come back here tonight, but we’ll be home. Roja and Diego will be watching over you.”

I pull him in for another kiss and then he’s gone. I stand looking at the door.

“This is the life. It doesn’t get easier. You strong enough for this, princess?”

I face Roja, hands on my hips. “Princess my ass. Damn straight I’m strong enough. I’ve been fighting my whole life. I’m not stopping now that I found someone—two someone’s worth it. You know nothing about me.”

“Stripper and part time hooker for a mother who liked playing with the mob until they got rid of her. Probably tried to barter something she should not have had and got herself killed. You had a sperm donor dad and work as a hat check girl. I’ve also got your GPA. What am I missing?”

“That’s information. That’s not me. Not the person I am.”

“Tell me.”

“I don’t have to prove myself to you or anyone else. I don’t care what you think. All I care about is bringing down Adorno, the man who had my mother and the man who was like a father to me killed. Before they can hurt my men.”

“Then what the hell are we standing here yapping about? Show me what you got, tell me what you know and let’s make a plan.

“You need to eat first and I need more coffee.” She heads to the kitchen. “There’s a notebook on the edge of the counter. While I cook, you start talking and writing. Let’s start with the two weeks before your mother was killed.”