“Like what?”
“Can’t keep his eyes off you.”
“Oh.”
“He’s a good guy, you know. Despite how he comes off.”
“I know that.”
“You do?” she said skeptically.
“I owe him a lot.”
“How so?”
“He’s been…generous, that’s all.”
“That’s exactly it. Ivey’s the most generous person I know. To a fault. He’d do anything for the people he loves. Me and Gabe…well, we’d never have made it without him.” She paused, then turned her full attention on Uma. “What’s your plan here, Uma?”
“My plan?”
“I don’t want to say ‘What are your intentions toward my brother?’ but, you know… Are you plannin’ on stickin’ around, or is this a pit stop for you?”
Uma could hear the regret in her own voice when she responded. “I’m not staying. After I finish what I came here to do…I’m gone.”
“You need to disappear.” It was a statement, not a question. “You’re runnin’ from someone.”
“Yeah.”
“You considered stickin’ around?”
“It’s too close. To my ex. He’s a prosecutor in Northern Virginia.”Oh crap.Why had she said that? What was it about Jessie that made her want to spill everything?
“You’re kidding.”
“Please don’t tell anyone.”
Jessie nodded. After a moment’s thought, she leaned in. “Don’t get Ive involved in your problems. Please. He can’t afford to get embroiled. He’ll just get into trouble. Again. He can’t help himself.”
Oh, this wasn’t good. The conversation was putting Uma on the defensive. The thing was, she’d have liked to tell Jessie to mind her own business, but the woman was right to be careful. You couldn’t fault her for meddling. She admired how brother and sister seemed to take care of each other.
“There’s nothing for him to get involved in. I’m here to get something done, and then I’m gone. That’s it.”
Jessie looked at Uma hard, searching, before nodding and finally letting her expression soften slightly. “Look, I don’t want you to th—”
“Oy, ladies. How are the two loveliest birds in Blackwood doing tonight? Enjoying your drinks?” Rory knelt between their chairs, charm flowing off him in waves.
“This is delicious,” Uma replied, glad for the interruption.
“Singapore, 1897, a colony of the Crown, which made it British enough, I suppose. The Raffles Hotel, where this fine concoction was invented, was where most of the Yanks holed up. This delightful mixture of gin, cherry brandy, and juices was referred to as the ‘pink sling for pale people.’” He leaned back with his lazy, wicked grin and looked Uma up and down. “And you,dahling, are beyond the pale. Quite literally.” He winked.
“What does that evenmean, Rory?” Jessie said, mouth tight and eyes squinty.
Rory turned his blue eyes to Jessie. “It’s too subtle for you, love. I’m afraid you wouldn’t understand it.” He was cold, all trace of smooth-talking flirt gone.
“Oh, please. Subtle? You’re the one who gave me a Slow, Comfortable Screw Aga—”
“Fuck,” he interrupted. “It’s a Slow, ComfortableFuckAgainst the Wall. Thought you could use one, love.”
