Page 242 of Vicious Temptation

“No.”

“Concussed?”

“Matteo!” I smack his arm again. “He was completely sober. And why is that so hard to believe? Look at me. I’m a fucking catch, okay?”

He laughs and nudges my shoulder. “I mean, sure, but that’s commitment, Remi. How many guys do you know, especially cops, who would tattoo a mugshot number on their body?”

“It’s crazy, isn’t it?” I bite the corner of my lip, but there’s no hiding my smile. “And then he asked me to go to Miami with him.”

“What’s in Miami?”

“He wants to visit his dad’s grave.” My smile softens as I look down at the pistol resting on the bench. “He hasn’t been there since he was a kid, and he asked me to go with him.”

“Damn.”

“Yeah.”

I’ve told Matteo enough about Thiago’s father that I don’t have to explain why the invitation means so much to me.

“So you’re going?”

“Of course I’m going. He doesn’t want to do it alone.”

Matteo watches me for a moment before a knowing grin works its way across his face. “Oh, you’re fucked.”

I laugh. “Completely.”

“Who’s fucked?” Gio asks, poking his head out from his lane.

I hadn’t even noticed that he’d stopped firing, but Madden has too, and both of them are looking our way now.

“Some guy tattooed her mugshot number on himself,” Madden answers.

He’s the only one of the three who doesn’t know about Thiago and me. Madden spends most of the year traveling for tournaments, chasing his dream of going pro and getting closer every year, so he misses a lot when he’s away. But we always make up for it when he’s back home.

The four of us grew up together, and even though we’re always missing Val and AJ when it’s just us, these boys are as much my brothers as Gio is.

“Damn, Remi.” Gio removes his eye protection and walks toward us. “You got that man all kinds of wound up over you. I bet he doesn’t know you peed your pants at your third-grade Christmas concert. Maybe he should.”

I narrow my eyes at him. “Giovanni, you forget we grew up together. I know every embarrassing thing you’ve ever done. Don’t test me.”

The guys burst into laughter, and even Gio can’t keep a straight face for long.

“I can’t imagine ever falling that hard for anyone,” Matteo says, shaking his head. “Not happening.”

“Never say never,” I tease. “When you find yourself on your knees for some poor soul, you’ll think of me.”

“Nah, fuck that.” He steps back into his lane and slides a fresh magazine into his pistol. “Come on. Five rounds. Tightest grouping buys dinner.”

“I can’t. I’m meeting Thiago at the gym later.”

“Oh, fuck,” Gio groans. “Couples workouts? He’s so fucking done.”

“Yeah,” Madden agrees. “Might as well marry the guy.”

“That’s enough,” I mutter, unable to stop smiling as I send a fresh silhouette target downrange.

“Let’s do this. I’m starving,” Matteo adds.