Zoe melts against him and turns her head to kiss the side of his face. “I love you,meu amor.”
It’s sweet. I could do with a little of that myself tonight.
C nods at Zoe.
Laurel tugs her hand free of mine. “Excuse me. I need to find the ladies’ room.”
“Right that way. Second door on the right.” Zoe points. “Where the line is.”
Laurel weaves through people to reach the three people in line for the bathroom. She leans against the wall, checking her phone.
Zoe taps her foot and shuffles her shoulders to the music, sending wild dark curls into a frenzy. “I love this song. People are dancing downstairs. Let’s all go.” She looks over her shoulder.
C’s expression is stern as he shakes his head.
“Trick is here. He can take me.”
C’s eyes are on me. “I think Trick is busy.”
Her brows crinkle. “Are you busy, Trick?” She looks down the hall to where Laurel’s moved up a spot in the queue. “She’s very pretty. My God, those eyes! But she’s not your type.”
“What’s my type?”
“Skinny little blondes with mosquito bites for boobs and no butts to speak of. Laurelyn’s not packing so much junk in her trunk, but if those boobs are real, she won the jackpot.”
I smile at Zoe, then my gaze cuts back to C. “There’s been a development.”
“Enlighten me.” C’s derisive tone isn’t unexpected, but I’m not in the mood.
“Maybe it’s not the time,” I say.
C opens his mouth, but doesn’t speak because ‘Vil speaks first, saying two words that get the entire Crue’s attention. “Enzo Palermo.”
Moving to the balcony, my gaze shifts over the grid until I have him. He’s standing by the fence, flanked by two beefy, black-haired guys in suits that could be better. Dini, who’s now wearing a bikini, hurries over to greet him. Her dealer works for the Palermos, so maybe she’s thanking him for party supplies.
A commotion at the French doors leading to the deck draws my attention, but at first an awning’s blocking my view. Then I do see, and my heart fucking stops. A recruit has Laurel, and he’s half-carrying, half-dragging her from the house.
“What the fuck?” My gun’s in my hand instantly, and I line up my shot, tracking his movement, adjusting. Her head’s clear. My finger’s on the trigger.
“Trick,” ‘Vil snaps, reaching.
C’s the one who gets a hand on my arm.
I check my squeeze in time, so the weapon doesn’t discharge. With my left hand, I push C back, jerking my right arm free. I get the barrel lined up, but then drop it when I see what the guy’s doing. An instant later, which would’ve been too late, C and Anvil knock me out of position.
The side of my leg bangs against the rail, and the impact is hard enough that I’m tilted and almost go over until ‘Vil’s giant paws drag me back to upright.
The pool’s packed with people, so when the recruit lifts Laurel and throws her in, I see the side of her head smack a guy’s shoulder and jerk from the impact as she crashes into the water.
I shove my gun away, grab the rail, and hop over it. I barely miss the people sitting in chairs below the balcony when I land. Launching myself forward, I dive into the pool. The water’s churning from thrashing limbs. I can’t see her. I surface, looking around frantically. Finally, I spot her shoe right below the surface. Shoving people out of my way, I swim to her and grab her, pulling hand-over-hand along her body, hips, waist, ribs. And then I get my arms around her so I can drag her torso up until her head’s above the water. There’s blood on her face and her eyes are closed. I can’t tell. I can’t fucking tell if she’s breathing.
A giant splash sends a tidal wave over our heads for a second, but then ‘Vil’s there with both hands on my shoulders. He hauls us both to the shallow end. By then Laurel’s eyes are open and wide, and she’s coughing and spitting out water.
“You all right?” I demand, carrying her up the pool steps and setting her down on the grass next to the pool’s concrete lip. “Laurelyn?”
“I’m okay.” Her voice is raspy, but strong.
Moving her hair, I find the cut in her left eyebrow. It’s a couple of millimeters at most. Little cuts to the scalp and face are notorious for bleeding more than their share.
