Lies, lies, and more lies. And secrets… so many secrets.
But it had to be that way.
They pulled into the parking lot of the swanky nightclub, the neon sign LOST SOULS beckoning like the marquee on a Broadway theatre. Before Rebel could park, they were stopped by a tall, strapping man—wearing full-on SWAT gear—and his German Shepherd.
“Good to see you, Maverick,” Rebel said.
“You too, brother.”
As Rebel parked, Sydney asked, “What’s going on?”
“Just being super cautious,” Brit replied.
“I’m carrying a handgun and a dagger,” Sydney said. “That’s being cautious. This is insane.”
Once inside, the music pulsed through her, the Halloween decorations made her smile. A ten-foot Grim Reaper stood near the photo booth. Orange string lights dangled like icicles from the ceiling, and flameless black candles accented each table. Small, plastic orange pumpkins, filled with individually-wrapped Halloween chocolates, lined the bar.
After thanking Brit and Rebel for the ride, Sydney ordered a Chianti. When on assignment, she never drank. Tonight, however, shewasn’tworking. As she picked up the glass from the bar, she couldn’t remember the last time she’d had a night offandbeen on her home turf.
Time to let loose and have some fun… with a man. A gorgeous, sexy Tank of a man.
Her insides warmed. It had been forever since she’d gone out—or even chilled—with a guy. With her stemless wine glass in hand, she swept the room in search of her target.
Tank, Tank, where are you handsome?
And that’s when her heart jumped into her throat.
Tank was surrounded by too many women. They weregazing up at him, like he was a freaking Adonis. Even in the dimly-lit room, she couldn’t miss their flushed faces, doe-eyed stares. One had her hands all over him, like an octopus.
Caroline hurried over, a huge smile on her beautiful face. “Sissy, you made it!”
Sydney eyed her costume and laughed. “You’re Belle from Beauty and the Beast. You look totally adorbs!”
Grey walked over, and Sydney just shook her head. “You’ve lost it, you know that?”
Her future brother-in-law was dressed as Rambo.
“I couldn’t agree more.” He pointed at Caroline. “She made me do it.”
Grey pulled Caroline close and kissed the top of her head. When she peered up at him, he leaned down and kissed her. There was something so intimate about that moment that Sydney knew—with complete certainty—these two gaga idiots would be together forever.
“Well, you both look great.” Sydney glanced over at the gaggle of Tank’s admirers.
Only, no Tank.
Where’d he go?
“I gotta say, Sydney, I’mnotsurprised by your costume,” Grey said.
“I’m a Dominatrix.” Sydney glanced around. She had room, so she snapped the whip.
CRACK!
That made her smile.
“Badass,” Caroline said with a smile.
“What’s with the SWAT guard?” Sydney asked.
