Boss, Gabriel left for Italy. I need help with waitstaff schedule. G didn’t do payroll. Are you coming in soon?
“Dammit,” Teddy bit out.
“What’s going on?” Sydney asked from across the table.
“Gabriel went dark and Tara’s been running the restaurant by herself.” Teddy shook his head. “I gotta step up.”
“We’ll go tonight,” Sydney said. “With King A gone, so is the threat.” She grinned over at him.
“The threatisn’tover, Sydney,” he pushed back. “If Haqazzii is doing business with your cousin—and they find outyoueliminated him—there’s a major effin’ target on your back.”
Sydney pushed out of the chair. “I’m done hiding. I can’t live like this. It’s insane. I’m going to make us breakfast.” Before she left the room, she pointed a finger at him. “You and me, we’re going out to dinner.”
She breezed out, leaving him alone with his thoughts.
Going to the restaurant was risky for them both. But Sydney was right. They couldn’t hide indefinitely. If Robby had been doing business with Haqazzii, it was only a matter of time before they’d realize he wasn’t responding to their texts.
Teddy stared at Robby’s phone also plugged into the software while the computer sorted through millions of possible passwords.
He typed out a text to Tara.
I’ll be there tonight
Perfect! We need to talk
Great, she’s probably quitting.
Then, he remembered Tara was a webcam model for Robby’s company—TSM—and his chest tightened. Her former boyfriend, Hollywood—Crafty Lamar—was working her to take on more clients. Then, the lightbulb went on and he relaxed back in the chair.
Tara was the informant they needed. She was the foot in the door to get them to the next level.
Sydney beelined in carrying two bowls. “I’m going to make us breakfast, but we get this first.” She set the bowl near him as she eased down beside him. With a sweet smile, she leaned over to kiss him.
Instead of kissing her back, he stared into her eyes.
“Theodore Santini, don’t you want to kiss your girl?”
“I’m sorry, babe, what did you say?”
“Meet me halfway so I can steal a kiss.”
When his lips met hers, he jumped to the now, and kissed her back.
“There’s my secret fiancé,” she whispered.
“My floor manager, Tara, was the former girlfriend—and sex worker—for Hollywood. She needs to talk to me tonight. I think she’s quitting.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” Sydney scooped chocolate ice cream into her mouth.
His mouth watered at the sight of the sweet dessert. “Where’d you get that?”
She tapped his bowl with her spoon. “Earth to Tank.”
He glanced down, then grinned up at her. “Ice cream for breakfast. If I hadn’t already proposed, I’d be doing it now.”
“Sex and sugar. So easy to please.”
He chuffed out a laugh. “I’m headed to the restaurant later today.”
