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“Fucking Feds,” I grumbled. “You have any idea who’s killing the priests? Isn’t Rhymer in with them?” I took one last shot of whiskey just before Maureen arrived with the food. I needed to be clear headed to keep Kat safe, and to avoid any stupid mistakes that might make shit weird between me and my best friend.
“No idea. But I’ll get to the bottom of it.” Jasper took another long drink and said, “These fuckers think they can get over on us, but they have another think coming.”
I just nodded.
We finished most of our meal in silence, both of us lost in thought about too much shit to voice. We had done as much talking as either of us planned to do, so we let the carbs and the grease soak up the alcohol until I stood, ready to see Kat. Again.
“We should have Cal look into who purchased that green Lambo,” I said, “just for peace of mind.”
Jas looked up from his pool of troubled thoughts. “He’s already on it. Brendan had to get it from somewhere if it was even him. See ya later, man.”
I gave one last wave and walked out of Midnight Mass just as the sun started to sink below the horizon. It was a quick drive to the casino, just enough for the crisp desert air to give me a much needed burst of energy. As the elevator rose to the top floor, I took several deep breaths and waited for the nervousness, the anticipation at seeing Kat again to fade.
Her effect on me should have lessened by now since I’d had her—multiple times—but when I opened the door and she looked up with an excited smile and slightly aroused look on her face, I swear that fucking feeling intensified.
“I don’t remember ordering a hot blond for dinner.” When she flashed that smile at me, I knew I was in deep trouble.
Deep fucking trouble.
Because out of all the beautiful women in Glitz, hell in Las Vegas proper, I had to go and fall for Kat Ashby.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Kat
“Kat, so nice of you to join us.”
Sadie’s smile softened the blow of her words and I just rolled my eyes.
“I left the office as soon as I could, Ma.”
The truth was that I left as soon as I could tear myself out of Terry’s arms and even that was too soon as far as I was concerned.
“Did I miss anything?”
“Nothing but a few drinks.” Sadie had decided it would be nice to have a dinner with just the girls since Sunday dinners had mostly become a de facto business meeting. That left Madison and Bonnie out of those conversations, though honestly it was unclear if Bonnie even wanted to be part of the family. Not that she had a choice.
Sadie brought her glass to her lips and asked, “How are things?” before taking a sip.
“Fine,” I sighed and took the empty seat between Sadie at the head of the table and Madison to my right. Bonnie sulked across from us.
“Busy but everything is going just as it should, well except for the never-ending fallout from Ravager’s disappearance.”
I was sure he had help from somewhere but until Jasper believed the same thing, it was a moot point.
“It will sort itself out, I promise.”
She flashed a tight smile that said Ma wasn’t as calm as she pretended to be, but her message was clear. Pretend for the sake of the other women at the table.
“I know this is supposed to be some kind of ladies bonding type of meal,” Madison leaned over and whispered with a smirk, “but I’m dying to know if you have any news on Molly?”
Shit. I knew Madison wouldn’t let it go, and I didn’t blame her, but with the death of Mueller’s deputy, keeping her safe was top priority.
“So far all dead ends. I haven’t found any evidence that she’s dead but every time we have a lead, we’ve just missed her.”
That wasn’t technically a lie and I hadn’t given up on changing Molly’s mind yet. But Mueller had to be dealt with permanently, first.
“Well that’s shitty,” she grumbled, pouting into a glass of red wine as the food came out.
“I know and I’m sorry, but I promise to keep you in the loop, Madison.”
“I know,” she sighed. “And I appreciate it Kat. Thanks.”
The pain was alive in her eyes. The agony of not knowing whether or not her family was still alive touched me to the core. I wouldn’t stop trying with Molly until one of us was dead.
“No worries. How’s work?” I asked to switch topics. Ma had put her wicked math skills to use at one of the off-books card games, and Madison used her sharp wit and smart mouth to score a hit as well.
“The players are salty and the money is good, so I can’t complain.” She dug into the food on the table, a sign she was done talking, probably for the night.
