I chuckle as I roll off the bed and crawl around, feeling for my clothes. “Try to look surprised or they’ll blame me.”
She hands me my shirt. “No worries. I got this. Oh, I almost forgot. Tomorrow I’m going to New Jersey. Terri Springfield is meeting her lover for lunch. I know we said no sleuthing but this is a perfectly safe public place.”
Hell, no.I stop my inner caveman from responding and find a more rational response. “You’ll leave if anything feels off?”
“I will. And thanks.”
“For what?”
“Not getting angry about my little incident. It really wasn’t my fault.”
“Sugar, I told you. I’m not mad but I will get even with the moron who dared hurt you.” I let down the congenial mask I generally hold in place and let her see the cold, hard, warrior within.
I didn’t survive Afghanistan by being a nice guy.
Chapter 12
Sam
Shit! I just remembered I forgot to tell Sebastian about Gallo and the escort service. While I brush my teeth, I consider calling him but it’s late and I should wait.
In the morning, Catrina, my new alarm clock, puts her wet nose to mine. “Meow?”
“No. God no. What time is it?”
She curls her paws in my hair, purrs, and massages my chest in what my nonna calls making-da-pasta.
“Okay. I’m awake.” When I sit up, she pounces to the floor and runs to the kitchen.
As I follow her downstairs, she sits staring at the food cabinet, in case I’ve forgotten where it is.
“First things first, kiddo.” I put a pod in the coffee maker and get my half and half from the fridge. Only then do I grab Cat’s bowl and fill it while she circles my feet, trying her best to trip me.
It’s enough to make me doubt evolution. “If I’m dead, who’ll feed you? You do realize you don’t have thumbs, right?”
Cats were probably made by an alien race, hoping to take over the world a zillion years ago but they gave up. The whole project must’ve been a huge disappointment. One millennium they had saber-toothed-tigers, and the next, fat, lazy tabbies.
Done pondering the wonders of Darwinism, I wash in the bathroom, wishing the shower was finished. Also, I really need a mirror. Maybe there’s one in those boxes stacked in the corner.
Bingo. I pull the new medicine cabinet out of its box, and kneel to apply makeup while Catrina chases my mascara into the living room. I’m not even finished when Vinny texts me tomorrow’s blind date. Laughing, I send him a thumbs up. When bachelor number one gets a look at my face, he’ll come up with some excuse to ditch me and Suds will never know.
Around ten, Joey drops by to see me. “You sure you don’t mind watching Kimmy? I’ll pick her up around three.”
I lift the cherub out of her stroller and kiss her rosy fat cheeks. “We’ll be fine. I got a fancy lunch in Jersey. She and I will have a great time.”
“Youz taking my kid with youz on a job?” Frowning, her dad tilts his head and studies me like I’m a new species of low life.
“It’s no big deal. Even Suds agreed it was okay. I’m just going to take a few pictures of a rich woman having lunch with her lover.”
“Not happening.” He picks up his cell phone, punches in a number, and puts it to his ear. “Yeah, it’s me. Get the car… Jersey… How the fuck do I know? Huh? Not my problem. Take it up with Vinny.”
Joey puts away his phone. “Wheels is going to drive youz. I’ll put the car seat in before I go. You guys have a good time.”
“Wait. Who’s Wheels?”
“Big guy? Broken nose? Chain smoker?”
“Oh,him… He’s what? A chauffeur?”
