“Bene.” He stands. “I wouldn’t want to lose my favorite cat sitter.”
“How is Chloe?” I stand too, happy the inquisition is over.
His face brightens and he smiles. “Good. Real good. I got a job overseas next week. I’ll bring her by so she can meet her niece. They need time to get acquainted and figure out who’s boss. A lot like people.”
“Uh-huh.”
He glances at my open computer and grins when he sees my research. “Figured it out?”
“About Uncle Vinny and the noise next door? Yeah.”
He chuckles. “Best of luck with that. Let me know if you need any help with this Gallo woman and keep your weapon nearby at all times. Got it?”
“Understood.”
He kisses me on both cheeks. “Ciao, bella.”
“Bye Frankie, and thanks.”
My kitty pads over to the door after he goes, blinks her big green eyes, then slinks back and jumps on the table. “Mrumph.”
I guess she shares my conflicting feelings.
Thinking about Mrs. Gallo gets me excited about searching Luigi’s apartment so I pick up my phone and text.
Me: Hey
Suds: ?
Me: What time we going to Luigi’s?
Suds: ~9
Me: Working?
Suds: Y
Me: <3
Suds. Me 2
Taking three ibuprofen for the headache, I nap and when I wake, it’s sleuthing time.
Woo hoo! I dress in black jeans, black hoodie, and black sneakers. Then, I kneel to check myself in the bathroom mirror.
Not a bad look for breaking and entering.
Not long after that, I’m waiting outside when he rolls down the window and wolf whistles. “Damn, you look fine, girl.”
“Right back atcha.” I swear to God, my man could stay up for a week and still melt my panties off.
Dressed in his favorite black leather jacket and worn jeans, he puts the car in park, then hops over the hood to open the passenger side door.
After I buckle up, I tell him all about Frankie’s weird visit and before I know it, we’re at Luigi’s place.
Six flights of stairs later, Suds makes quick work of the lock and we’re inside the escort’s studio apartment.
“Yuk.” I turn on the light and roaches scatter over dishes in the sink while my partner points to a desk.
