I’d hung two strings of white lights in the living room, set up a margarita maker and glasses, and connected the new karaoke machine to the TV, which now readJuliette’s Karaoke Party.
“Where did all this stuff come from? I don’t have a karaoke machine or a margarita maker.”
I winked. “I have my ways.”
“You did all this for me?” Her face softened. “That is so sweet.”
There should have been warning bells going off in my head for making nice with this woman, considering who her father was. But instead, her smile soothed me.
“Take a seat and scroll through the playlist. I’ll make you a drink.”
One drink led to two, and two led to three, and before long Juliette was hiccupping between giggles. I’d just finished singing “Friends in Low Places” by Garth Brooks.
“You are soooo bad.”Hiccup.
I chuckled. “Thanks a lot.”
“Anytime.”
“Even if I could carry a tune, I’d still sound like shit compared to you. You sing like thatAmerican Idolwoman—Kelly something. Where’d you learn to belt like that?”
“My mom.”Hiccup. She giggled again and covered her mouth. “She was a lounge singer. That’s how she met my dad.”
“Aslinger, huh?” I smiled. “Not a singer?”
My comment sent her into another fit of giggles. The sound made my chest feel warm. “How are you not slurring your words?” she asked. “You drank as many margs as I did.”
“Mine were virgin. I can’t drink and do my job.”
“Oh. Virgin.” She picked up her glass and held it out with a goofy smile. “That means more tequila for me!”
“I don’t know about that. I think you might’ve reached your limit.”
She pouted. “Pleeaassssse.”
I shook my head, unable to contain my own smile. “One more, lightweight.”
Juliette flopped back on the couch. “I’ll just wait right here.”
“You do that…”
In the kitchen, I dumped the old mix into the sink and added fresh ice for a new batch. This time, I only added enough tequila to make itsmelllike alcohol before blending.
When I came back with a practically virgin margarita, I found Juliette fast asleep.
I grabbed the blanket draped over the back of the couch and covered her up. For a moment, I stood watching her. A tiny smile threatened at the corner of her lips, making me smile too.
I thought I’d understood the dangers of this job. But standing here, looking down at Juliette Ginocassi’s beautiful face, I realizedshewas the real threat.
And God help me, I wanted her anyway.
CHAPTER 7
Juliette
I rubbed my tired head the next morning. “Who called?”
“It was your father.” Wes sighed. “He said the threat is over. I guess Altieri and his people were in town for a wedding. It’s been confirmed that they’ve left LA.”
