As soon as they parked at Rico’s, they tied on their masks. Seeing Evangeline in that simple disguise reminded him of the night they met. Like then, arousal burned a trail to his groin.
On the way to the entrance, he murmured, “You look so damn hot.” Unable to resist, he slipped his arm around her waist and led her to the front of the line.
Sin spoke with the line manager and they were escorted to a booth in the VIP lounge. Instead of sitting across from Evan, he slipped in beside her as the server brought them a large bottle of sparkling water. Moments later, Rico joined them. Rising, Sin pulled him in for a bro-hug and introduced Evangeline.
“Why are you selling your club?” Rico asked after the men sat back down.
“I’m too busy to run it,” Sin replied. “Unfortunately, it got torched since we talked.”
“That’s a bitch, man,” Rico said, shaking his head. “Kitchen fire, right? I can’t sleep wondering if my club is burning down because some douchebag left a dish towel on a hot burner.”
Rather than get into it about his club, Sin pulled out his phone. “Can you ID this woman?” He showed Rico the video.
After watching, Rico glanced at Evangeline. “Looks like the stunning lady you brought with you.”
“It’s not. Do you recognize her?”
“Sure don’t, but I can tell ya that hookup didn’t happen here.” Rico caught the eye of one of his waitresses and she hurried over. “Bring me another scotch, will ya, honey. You want something besides that bubbly water crap?” he asked Sin.
Leaning into the back of the booth, Sin shot Rico a cool smile. “Whiskey, neat.” He slid his gaze to Evangeline.
“Vodka chilled, please.”
With a nod, the waitress bustled toward the bar.
“Isn’t that your logo?” Sin asked.
“That orange Bengalusedto be my logo, but I got me a new one.” Rico held up a cocktail napkin with a white tiger on it. “Used to be my club, too, but I sold it for a song.”
“Where’s it located?” Sin asked.
“Up in Delaware. Dewey Beach. Bought by a dude named Eckert. I’ll make the introductions.” He pushed out of his seat. “Take a look around. I poured a mil into this joint. It’stheplace to play in Miami. Stay as long as you like.” He flicked his gaze from one to the other. “I can read people pretty good. You two gotta stop fighting whatever’s got you by the balls. Shake off those good manners and spice things up with some wild fun. I’ll book you my best private room.”
The waitress delivered their drinks. Rico snatched his scotch off the tray, told her to book The Executive, and left.
“That deserved a mic drop.” Evangeline raised her lowball glass, tapped Sin’s, and tossed back a mouthful. “I’m ready to get out of here.”
“What’s wrong?”
“You have a busy life and a full schedule of clients. This video has derailed mine. It’s going to be months before I’m able to return to work…if ever. There might not be a way to prove it isn’t me.”
He drained his glass. “There’s always a way. As an agent, you know things take longer than you’d like.”
“Your club burned to the ground, but you haven’t said a word about it. Aren’t you wrecked by that?”
He slipped his hand beneath her tousled hair and massaged her upper back.My God, she’s tense. “We got out. That’s what matters. It’s just a building. Another one will take its place.”
“We should go.”
“Is that what you want?”
She peered into his eyes for several long seconds. “What doyouwant?”
“The truth, Evan.”
Her eyes remained fixed on his during a long pause. “No. That’s not what I want.”
“Whatdoyou want?”
