I know they overlooked some prior felonies because they handed the Mancinis to the feds, along with at least half a dozen other illegal things involving the underworld. Somehow they manage to keep on the same side as the law. Wheeling and dealing is still rife, but at least in this case the bad guys were the ones taken out. There’s a lot less paperwork if you look at it like that.
“So, when are you two making it official?”
I frown. “What do you mean? Announce it on the nightly news?”
She takes a sip of cold water from her bottle, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. “Ha-ha. I mean, when is Haze claiming you?”
I frown a whole lot more. “They still do that?”
She gives me aare you shitting melook, screwing the lid back on her bottle. “You know they still do that, and while you are technically still married, Haze still has to go through the motions.”
“It’s not gonna happen,” I say. “He’s not claiming me anywhere, and I’m not wearing his dumb ‘Property of Haze’ jacket. If anything, I should claimhim.” I smile at my idea, but Payden doesn’t look so convinced.
“Okaaay. Like that’s gonna happen.”
I think about how Haze crawled to me last night and begged, and my cheeks heat. I know he’s crazy about me, and the feeling is mutual, though he’s a lot better at showing it than I am.
The man kept me up until three in the morning, and then I slept through my alarm. He thought it was hilarious and maderude comments about my ‘bedhead’. Admittedly, my hair looked like someone dragged me through a hedge backward, but that is hardly my fault.
“Hey,” a girl says from behind us. “You’re that lady from TV, right? The police commissioner?”
I blink in surprise. “Uh, no, sadly, I’m just the captain,” I say. “The commissioner is making a lot more money than I am.”
She smiles at my joke. “I just wanted to say you’re a real inspiration. Thank you for your service.”
Well, that was unexpected. I’m a little lost for words. I rarely have people recognize me in the middle of a sweaty yoga class, or anywhere else for that matter, but I’ll take it as a win. “Oh, thanks, that’s nice of you to say.”
“I’m Clare, I’m new here,” she says, holding out her hand.
Me and Payden both shake it, introducing ourselves, and she goes on to say how she doesn’t really know anyone but she saw the yoga class ad online and thought she’d give it a go. Bella’s studio has had a lot of press over the last few years for all the charitable work she does to keep the crisis center running, and the profits from classes like this go toward that. It’s pretty amazing.
“What do you do?” Payden asks as we begin to leave the room.
“Oh, I’m in between jobs at the moment,” she confesses. “I’m staying with a friend, so I’ve got to be careful with money. But a girl has to stay in shape, right?”
“Totally,” Payden replies. “I come here all the time, they have a fantastic coffee bar right next door.”
“Thanks for the tip.” She smiles. “It was great meeting you.”
“You too,” I say.
“Hey, a bunch of us are going out for drinks on the weekend,” Payden says before Clare can leave. “Why don’t you tag along if you’re not doing anything?”
That’s just like Payden, too, she’ll befriend anyone, anywhere. Especially someone down on their luck, or needing a friend.
The girl’s face lights up. “Really? That’d be so cool.”
“Reel off your number, and I’ll call it, then you’ll have mine. I can text you the details closer to Saturday.”
“Sounds like a plan.” Her gaze turns to me. “Will you be there too, Willow?”
I shake my head. “Unfortunately, the type of clubs these girls frequent won’t exactly do much for my reputation as a good captain in New Orleans,” I laugh. “But you girls enjoy yourselves.”
I’m not saying Payden will frequent one of the MC’s strip clubs, Vault XL being the main point of attraction, but it’s highly likely.
I almost break out in a huge grin when I think about how Haze would react to my frequenting that place. Jealousy has never been his strong point, nor mine.
She makes anoopsface and laughs. “Well, thanks for the invite. I’ll see you this weekend.”
