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“And you?”
Finn hesitated. Was he safe? Was he good? He’d fallen in love with Gretchen Christensen, his best friend’s little sister, an actual fucking debutante turned federal agent. His heart would never be the same again, but he’d survive.
“I’m sure I will be.” He prayed he was right.
~ ~ ~
Gretchen stood in the locker room and fastened her vest. Tonight, she and her team would storm Raymond Carlisle’s club while he met with his top drug supplier. Ronnie Sinclair already had her girls set up in the private rooms for entertaining, every room except the one Gretchen had used, the room where she’d first had sex with Finn. Ronnie had saved that room for herself, and so far, she’d only invited Finn inside.
Gretchen closed her eyes and pulled a deep breath in through her nose. She smelled Neil’s cologne before she felt him beside her. The man was a damn ninja.
Opening her eyes, she met his assessing stare.
“You ready for this?” he asked.
“Yeah.” She gave a swift nod. She vibrated with the need to face Ronnie Sinclair. She hoped to God Finn wouldn’t get caught in the crosshairs.
“What about Finley?” As if he read her mind, Neil leaned against a locker and studied her.
She shifted. “What about him?”
“Jesus, Gretchen.” He pushed away from the locker and came to stand in front of her. “Don’t play cool with me. He took out his own guys for you. They’re still in the fucking hospital. He didn’t do that because you’re good on a pole, and you know it.”
Wrong. As much as she wanted to believe it, she didn’t know it. “He had to,” she explained. “He’d staked a claim on a piece of meat and someone dared to poach. If he hadn’t done anything, he would’ve lost credibility, respect.” Her voice didn’t waver, she’d told herself the same thing so many times it had become a simple recitation.
“So, if he’s there tonight?” Neil pushed.
“I’d prefer he stay out of my way.” She shrugged as if she’d do what she had to, but she’d never be able to hurt Finn. She feared he’d stand between her and Ronnie, and she’d be forced to let the other woman go to save him. She refused to allow herself to consider the implications of such a scenario.
“We roll in five,” a voice called from the door of the locker room. She met Neil’s glare stoically.
“Kick ass in there.” He extended his fist.
She bumped it with her own. “Take names,” she finished, holding his gaze for a moment before they made their way out.
~ ~ ~
Finn downed his drink. A terrible idea since Gretchen and her group were scheduled to burst through the doors within the hour, but he needed something to calm his nerves. Tonight would make or break his entire world. He was giving up the life he’d known for the last ten years, so he could start a new life with Gretchen.
Hopefully. He had no guarantee she’d give him a chance in hell when this case ended.
The stripper in front of him slid onto his lap and rubbed her core against his thigh. A few months ago, he might’ve been able to work up some interest in her. Tonight he met her vacant stare and felt nothing. Now that he’d had Gretchen, he’d never want another woman.
“You like this one.” Ronnie’s hot breath crawled over his neck as she slid onto the bench beside him. She reached out and ran an acrylic nail down the other woman’s chest and over her hard nipple.
“She tastes even better than she looks,” Ronnie slid her hand across his lap and cupped his balls before she squeezed lightly. “We should try her later.”
He swallowed down the bile that rose in his throat. That last drink had definitely been a mistake. “Why don’t you go back and get ready for me?”
Her eyes went wide. He’d constantly pushed her away since she’d arrived in town weeks ago, giving her just enough attention to keep her from being suspicious. He hadn’t had sex with her though. Despite what Gretchen probably believed, he couldn’t touch another woman while she held his heart.
Grinning, Ronnie pulled away. “Really?”
He nodded.
She planted another kiss on his mouth. “I’ll be in the third room.”
He would’ve expected nothing less. The third room had been Lilah’s room, the room where he’d first slept with Gretchen, and Ronnie damn well knew it.
