I pull on a couple of stray chest hairs in retaliation.
“Don’t mock me; it’s a valid question.”
“Yes, it is,” he concedes.“But as we heard yesterday, the FBI tracked down and captured the two gang members they believe tried to break into my house, and are actively questioning those suspects in hopes they’ll give up the individual who put out the order.Also, Mancuso seems to be making some headway with your brother.Things are progressing, albeit slowly.”
I press a kiss to his chest before disentangling myself and swinging my legs out of bed.
“I hope so, because pretty soon I’ll be out of funds to pay my staff, and without Lola and Emmet, I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to get Strange Brew back up and running.”
Hugo rolls on his side and props himself up on his elbow.
“All the credit to Lola and Emmet for the way they’ve stepped up but, Twinkie, you’re the heart and soul of Strange Brew.It is now, and will be long after Lola and Emmet have moved on.”
Then he suddenly surges up and jumps out of bed as well, scooping me up in his arms.
“Now, can I interest you in a shower?”
It’s already almostnoon by the time I turn off the blow-dryer, shake out my hair, and allow myself one last glimpse in the mirror before leaving the bathroom.
I hardly recognize myself, this glowing, confident woman staring back at me.I may be imagining things, but even my hair seems to have a deeper shine to it.For no reason other than my own satisfaction, I dress with a little more attention than I have in the past few days.My newest pair of barrel jeans I’ve had to wash three times already to get the smell of smoke out, a clean white T-shirt, and the intricately crocheted sweater vest Dana bought me for my thirty-ninth birthday, but haven’t had a chance to wear yet.
Feeling good about myself, I walk down the hallway separating the main bedroom suite from the kitchen and living room, when I hear the sound of voices on the other side of the wall.I’m pretty sure one of them belongs to Savvy.
“How did you know where to find us?”I’m already asking as I freeze right inside the kitchen when I see not only Savvy, but the FBI agent standing by the island.
Hugo immediately comes for me and slips an arm around my shoulders.
Savvy shrugs at my question.“I knew you guys wouldn’t go far, so when my dad canceled standing dinner plans with some cockamamie excuse, and Phil avoided my phone calls altogether, the wheels started turning.”
Of course they did, it wouldn’t be Savvy if she wasn’t driven to get to the bottom of every mystery.I guess that’s why my friend is the sheriff of Edwards County.
“Okay, fair enough, but what are you doing here?”I indicate the space around me.“And with a guest,” I add, before turning to SAC Mancuso.“No offense.”
He shrugs easily.“None taken.”
“Doesn’t that defeat the purpose?”I push on.
“Exactly what I was hoping they could fucking explain,” Hugo grumbles, shooting stern glances at Savvy and the agent.
“Your brother is ready to make a deal,” Mancuso responds, taking the lead.
“He is?What does that mean?What kind of deal?”
I’m surprised he’s even considering talking.
“It means he’s willing to share any and all information related to Shane Lee and the Lotus Squad, details that should help us take down the organization piece by piece, in return for protection under the WITSEC program.”
“Great,” Hugo reacts.“But that doesn’t explain why you’re here.”
“Because he demands to talk to Bess first.”
Hugo
“It’s dangerous.”
She smiles at me and puts a calming hand on my chest.
We’re in the bedroom, where she dragged me after I went off on Mancuso for even entertaining that idea.
