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You could have heard a pin drop in the crowded room. “You could have called me, you know. My phone works.” Tiff’s voice cracked with emotion. Lukus knew she was panicking. He stepped in.
“Yeah, Aiden. I wish you’d called. I’d have loved to have hosted you for dinner. We could have gotten to know each other better before today.”
“Well, I didn’t want to disturb you. Your businesses are all thriving, and must keep you busy. I’m just not too sure I’m crazy about the location there on the west side of town. At least I’m happy to see you have good security to keep Tiffany safe when shevisits.”
Tiffany had walked to stand next to Lukus’s chair in a show of support for him. He took it a step further by pulling her to sit in his lap. Her cute squeak when she plunked down hard went over everyone’s head in the room—except Aiden’s. His eyes widened when he glanced at his sister and then back to Lukus. Lukus calmly responded. “I care about Tiffany very much, so of course her security is my utmost concern. Still, I’d be happy to give you a tour of the facilities whenever you have time.”
Tiffany’s tremble was unmistakable as the two men she loved verbally sparred in front of the room full of family.
“That’s very accommodating of you, Mr. Mitchell. I’ve learned you are a pretty important man in that part of town, so I’d appreciate you taking time out of your day to give me and my partner an official tour of the facilities.”
Lukus heard the threat. Aiden knew his full name. That meant he’d done his homework and knew about both Lukus’s arrest and The Punishment Pit. Aiden was telling him he planned on coming on official police business to threaten him.
Lukus should have tried to keep the conversation calm, but he couldn’t help throwing a bomb instead. “Wow, Tiffany didn’t tell me you were gay. Where is yourpartner? I’d like to meet him.”
The only person in the room Lukus managed to piss off with his barb was Tiffany’s father. “Sweet Jesus, young man, we do not condone such behavior in this family. Joshua is Aiden’s best friend since high school and his police partner, not hispartnerpartner. Get it straight!”
Lukus smiled broadly. “My apologies, sir. A simple misunderstanding. Of course, we’d love to host a visit. We actually have several clients who are part of the CPD. You’ll fit right in.”
“Somehow I doubt that, and I know for a fact my sister doesn’t,” Aiden said.
“You might be surprised. She loves all of the facilities. In fact, the first night we met I took her on a tour, and she discovered just how much she fit in, didn’t you, baby?”
He heard Tiffany’s soft plea. “Please, Lukus.”
He also heard Aiden’s soft, “You’re dead,” under his breath.
Lukus turned his attention to Tiffany’s parents. “You should have seen your daughter the first night we met. I live in a loft at the top of a large building that houses several of my businesses.” He felt her tensing.
Does she really think I’m going to talk about the club?
“Imagine my surprise when I took her on a tour, and she found I have a half basketball court in one of the open areas of the building. When she suggested shooting some hoops, I laughed. I didn’t laugh for long.” He gazed into Tiffany’s eyes, his love for her on display for all to see. He couldn’t resist reaching up to cup her face lovingly. “Imagine my surprise when this beautiful woman beat me fair and square—and barefoot, to boot! I knew right away she was something special.”
The room erupted with cheers and laughs. Tiff relaxed into his hug as her father proudly praised her.
“That’s my girl, Tiffy. Did she tell you she paid for her entire college degree playing for the University of Michigan? Her ma and I are so proud of her.”
“Yes, sir. I’m pretty proud of her myself.” Lukus loved the relief in her ocean-blue eyes. He knew he’d just need to win Aiden over. At least her brother didn’t seem ready to embarrass them, apparently preferring to handle his knowledge of The Punishment Pit privately.
That suits me just fine.
They stayed for a few more minutes before Isabella announced it was time for the women to head to the church.
“Lisa is as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. We need to get there to help keep her calm, and get the final preparations done before the other guests start to arrive. You menfolk are in charge of the boys. We’re taking all of the girls with us.”
“Come on, Mom. Do I really have to go? It’s going to be boring.” The teenage girl who’d had her face buried in her cell phone complained to Angelina.
“I told you, Ashley. You’re going, and you’re going to be happy about it.”
“Fine.” Spoken with a perfect amount of angry teenager angst.
Tiffany hugged him tightly and whispered in his ear. “Please try not to get in a fight with Aiden. He’s just worried about me. The fact that he hasn’t told Daddy about The Pit is a good sign.”
“Everything will be fine here. You just go and have fun. We’ll be here when you get back, baby.”
Aiden’s cold voice cut into their private moment. “Watch who you’re calling baby. Tiffany is a young woman, not a baby.”
“Believe me, Aiden. I’m very aware of how much of a woman she is.”
