“That’s sort of it,” Emeric says, looking between the two of them. “Not bad, Al.”
“Not now,” Vinny snaps, turning back to us. He glances at me for a moment before turning his gaze to Kimber. “Jo’s going to have a fit if she sees you. She wants to enforce the rules.”
“The rules only work if they actually protect the people they intend to,” I say, rocking on my heels. “People like Kimber, who didn’t do anything wrong.”
“Oh,”Al says, and Emeric nudges him like he’d love it if he could shut up, “this is the girl you were talking about.”
Vinny groans. “Al.”
He ignores the owner, peering around Vinny’s broad shoulders to study Kimber. “You really think punishing her by not letting her come to the club is a good idea? I think you shouldbe congratulating her if she managed to off someone. We both know it takes a certain type of person to kill.”
Kimber’s gaze snaps up to him and he shrugs when she stares at him in horror. He’s not exactly quiet, and Vinny hisses something in another language I can’t understand before Kim tries to respond. “Wha-”
“I’m just saying,” Al continues, turning his gaze back to Kimber. “Onlyso many peopleknow what it’s like to make a choice like that, right,Vinny? It’s not the easiest thing to do.”
I look between the three men, then glance down at Kimber who shrugs. I don’t know what we interrupted when we showed up, but it definitely feels like they are speaking in code.
Vinny shakes his head and turns back, looking between us. “I’m only one half of the vote. Jo is the other, and she’s who you need to convince with the right paperwork-”
“David,” Kimber says, cutting him off. “David is going to be my attorney.” She closes her eyes and takes a breath before continuing. “Heismy attorney on this matter. I signed a contract with his office earlier today.”
That seems to pique Vinny’s interest, and he looks between the two of us. “Well, is David going to be around to chat? He might be a little less biased than…”
His voice trails off as he stares at me, and I just glare right back. I know he wants to hear how I fit into the picture, but right now, I have no idea. I haven’t gotten to speak to Kimber about it yet.
“There’s David,” Kimber says, cutting through our staring contest. Glancing towards the door I realize she’s right, watching as David walks in with his partner Myla. The custom choker he bought her last year shines brightly, and he keeps an arm around her until his eyes find our little group. Then he pauses, kisses her hand, and walks over on his own. Myla sitsdown at one of the tables, and Callie skips over to her in the club uniform so she isn’t alone for more than a few seconds.
“Vinny,” David says, walking up. He holds out a hand to the owner, and Vinny raises a brow as he shakes it. “I see things are going disastrously over here.”
“David,” Vinny replies tiredly, sounding like he’s at his wits end. “Are you really representing Kimber for something?”
“That would be right,” he says easily, nodding to Kim. “I know you want to make sure everyone here is safe, and I completely believe my client isn’t a threat. Do you want some proof?”
He pats his side where I’m sure there’s a pocket inside the suit, and Vinny raises a brow once more. I have to say my curiosity is piqued too, because Kimber just hired him a couple hours ago. But it’s Kim who interrupts, leaning past me to look at him. “You have the proof?”
Silence settles over the six of us, and David just lifts a shoulder. “I have proof because it’s the truth. We’ll hash that out in court next week. But for now, Kimber?”
He holds a hand out, and all our eyes shift to her. She’s looking between each of us like she’s waiting for someone to snap at her, and there’s a fear in her eyes that I’ve only seen a few times.
Cocking my head, I squeeze her hand gently. “You’ve got this.”
She squeezes mine back like she’s afraid to let go, and it turns out, she doesn’t need to. Vinny clears his throat before she can say anything else. “Fine. You three, upstairs. Let’s make this quick.”
