“Now or never,” Ice said. “We can’t wait around.”
“I can add her in post-production,” Woody set up a tripod and directed the impromptu photo shoot until she was satisfied she’d gotten the moment suitably immortalized, while the bodyguards stayed mute and hovered in the background on high alert.
“Is it okay to ask what made you go straight in at $1.5 million?” Gabe asked.
“History.” Elodie opened the driver’s side door and slid into the leather seat.
Shay couldn’t help thinking that Elodie ran her hands over the steering wheel with the same reverence she probably used to touch her wife.
“Marie Zimmerman was an amazing artist, and she was one of us,” Elodie said. “I want to help preserve the memory of as many butch women as I can.”
“That’s awesome.” Gabe handed Elodie the original vehicle title, sheathed in protective plastic. “She used to live in Gramercy Park. Nice neighborhood.”
Elodie tilted her head. “I actually own that property too. It came on the market just after I releasedNight Deeds?—”
“Your first Oscar,” RB said as if Elodie and the rest of them didn’t already know that.
Elodie nodded and had the grace not to look irritated by the interruption. “I almost bankrupted myself buying it, but it’s still one of my favorite properties.”
That was high praise, considering that her extensive portfolio included a private island, if the article inPeoplemagazine wasaccurate. Shay looked over the car roof at Gabe and raised her eyebrows. What would it be like to have that kind of money? They’d scraped, bartered, and put everything they had—and everything theydidn’t have—to get their dream garage off the ground.
Elodie climbed out of the car and grinned. “Any chance we can get her out of here so I can get on the road?”
“Sure thing.” Gabe motioned to RB, who then went to the wide rear doors that opened onto their parking lot.
The bodyguards quickly joined her and surveyed the area before they gave Elodie a thumbs-up.
Elodie pulled something from her back pocket and gave it to Gabe. “If you ever need any help with the garage, give me a call. It’s so good to see veterans succeeding… Too many of us don’t fare so well.”
Gabe slipped the card into her pocket and nodded. “Thank you. That means a lot.” She leaned into the car and released the parking brake, then the four of them pushed the Brewster out onto the tarmac.
“The paperwork!” RB ran back into the garage and returned with the relevant documents to sign ownership over to Elodie.
Ice put her hand on Shay’s hip. “I’ll drop in the next time I’m here.”
“I have a feeling I’d like that.”
“You’d more thanlikeit,” Ice said and squeezed Shay’s hip firmly before joining Elodie outside.
Shay sighed quietly. When she told Rosie about this tonight, she had a feeling she’d be as disappointed as Shay was.
Gabe opened the side gates, then she and one of the bodyguards shifted their vehicles to clear the alley.
“Will Lori Turner be at the Sanctuary?” Elodie asked as she slid back into the driver’s seat, while Ice sat beside her.
“That’s where I left her this morning.” Gabe’s eyebrow quirked slightly.
Elodie grinned. “Ah, you’re together. Nice.” She noddedapprovingly.
Ice leaned out of the window. “Don’t text or call to tell her Dee’s dropping by.”
Elodie shook her head. “She meant to say please, obviously.”
“I did?” Ice wound the window back up without another word.
Elodie started the engine and pulled away, closely followed by the dark SUV.
Before they were out of sight, Solo pulled up in the lot. She jumped out of her car and slammed the door. “Tell me I didn’t just miss Elodie Fontaine and Madison Ford picking up the Brewster in person.”
