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“I’ll think about it. I have something more important to talk about first. What do you have going this week?”
“I’m heading out to the airport in a few minutes. I drew protection duty for that bigwig from Europe this week, remember? Luckily CJ, has agreed to take the nights so I can be off for the club and Rachel at night. We’re splitting the gig.”
“Shit. What’s Z up to? I really need his unique talents,” Lukus asked.
“He’s down in Florida, digging up dirt on that banker dude who’s hiding assets from his wife. I talked to him this morning. I don’t think he’ll be back for a few days. What do you need?”
“Markus and I want to start digging into the background of Jake Davenport. I want to go deep. I want to shred this guy. I need to know where I can hurt him the most. I guess I’ll work it solo for now.”
“Let me call in Cameron. That kid may be the biggest techie nerd in the city, but he digs up shit no one else can find. Just don’t ask him how he does it. I’m not sure we want to know.”
“Good advice. We need to get him on the payroll.”
Derek rolled his eyes. “I’ve tried. He says he prefers to work freelance. Something about not feeling guilty when he wants to stay home and play computer games all day.”
“Hey, maybe you should hook him up with your brother. Sounds like they might have some things in common.”
“Don’t compare Dylan to Cameron. Dylan is a hard-ass warrior, down on his luck. He could eat wimpy Cameron for lunch.”
“Well, see that he doesn’t. We need the little guy.”
* * *
Tiffany
Tiffany pulled into the parking lot at The Beauty Box, threw the car into park, and grabbed her bag. She should have been here thirty minutes ago, but she just couldn’t get out of bed this morning. It was bad enough trying to pry herself out of Lukus’s bed any other day, but knowing she wasn’t going to see him tonight made it worse. They’d only spent a handful of nights apart since meeting, and she wasn’t looking forward to a night alone.
Not only do I get no sex, but I’m gonna have to tackle my laundry. I’m running out of everything.
She knew she was late when she saw Brianna’s SUV in the lot. Tiff always beat Brianna into the salon on Tuesdays. She picked up her pace.
There were already customers sitting in chairs, hair wet, stylists in action. Tiff headed to the office at the back of the shop to drop off her purse. She had left early on Saturday and wasn’t even sure if she had any appointments booked for today, which was unlike her.
Tiff split her responsibilities at the salon between being the chief, well only, accountant, and part-time masseuse, wax removal, and mani/pedis when needed. As a business major in college, she couldn’t say working in a small salon was on her list of dream jobs. Regardless, she loved working with her best friend every day, and she enjoyed helping grow the salon from its tiny beginnings to one of the most popular independent salons in the western suburbs.
Brianna was on the phone when Tiff swung into the office. It sounded like she was taking a block of appointments.
Shit. I forgot. It’s still prom season. It’s gonna be a zoo around here the next few weekends.
Bri covered the phone, a sly smile on her face. “Glad you could make it. I was getting worried. I’m the one who’s usually late.”
“Yeah, well. Lots of things are changing since I met Lukus. Add lack of time management to the list.”
Brianna returned her attention to the phone. “Sure thing. I’ve got you down for a two-hour block for your daughter and her best friends on Friday. We’ll take good care of them, Linda. Thanks.” Hanging up, Bri filled in her friend. “That was the second call already this morning for a prom appointment. I’m gonna call all of our part-timers and see how many extra hours I can get from everyone in the coming weeks.”
“Good idea. We were short last year. I need to go check the book. I don’t even know if I have any appointments this morning,” Tiff admitted.
“I checked. You’re free until two.”
“Oh, thank goodness.”
“Lucky you. I’m booked with wax appointments all morning. I hate when Sydney is off. I’m dreading having her out on her honeymoon for two weeks. Did Lukus try to hold you hostage this morning and make you late?” Bri winked.
“Not really. I did leave later than I should have, but I had to run past my house to change. I just didn’t save enough time. The morning rush hour traffic is ridiculous.”
“Just wait until you head back into the city tonight. Or is Lukus driving out to you this time?”
Tiffany hated that she had a physical pressure in her chest at Bri’s simple question. It was not the question, but the answer she hated. “Actually, we aren’t gonna see each other tonight. Tuesday night is his normal poker night. The club is closed, as well. He missed last week, so I told him he should go tonight. It’s supposed to be at his place anyway this week, so I felt bad making him miss again.”
