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“I wish I could. I’m afraid I already made plans to watch grass grow.” I shrugged. “Wouldn’t want to disappoint the grass.”
She smiled, but the devilish gleam in her eyes had me worried. “I have a feeling you’ll be changing your plans soon enough,amico,” she muttered, almost under her breath.
All right,thatwas concerning.
“Why?” I asked, feeling an uncomfortable sensation in the pit of my stomach. Greta was up to something.
She shrugged. “No reason. I’m just here to collect Freya.”
I laughed. “You and what army?” I was shaking my head. “Anything less, and I don’t think you’re getting her past our father.”
“That’s whatyouthink.” She sounded pretty damn confident.
“All right, I’ll bite. How do you plan on getting her out of here?”
“Well, let’s see.” She held up one hand in front of her, fingers wide. “Gabe Costa will be driving us,” she said as she lowered her thumb. “I’ve arranged for a personal escort to Onyx by the Old Dogs.” She lowered her index finger. “Our personal escort will remain there outside the building–” Another finger went down. “–while all four Costa brothers will remain inside the club, along with two of their men at each of the exits.” There was just one finger left. “And of course,I’llbe there.”
It looked like she had her army.
“Not bad, Greta.You might just be able to pull this off.”
She nodded, accepting the praise demurely. “All I have to do is letSignorLuciano know that you’ll be there, and I’m guaranteed success.”
“And how exactly is it you’re going to talk me into a night of chaperoning?”
She smiled like the devil, holding my gaze. “That’s easy. Heidi’s going to be there,” she said like it was all the temptation I needed.
And goddamn it, she was right.
“Why is Heidi going to be there?” It was the less caveman-ish way of saying that Heidi was supposed to be at home, safe in her apartment. And waiting there for me.
“Raven invited her out. I think the two of them have been getting closer at work. And by your reaction, Deo, I have to say, I’m very glad Raven invited her.” She was grinning like the devil again.
“And why’s that?” Like I didn’t already know.
“Because I think you’ve got a thing for this one, and I don’t remember you having a thing for anyone. This woman must be something special. I’d just like to get to know her better.”
“Greta,” I said, all humor forgotten. “Heidi’s been pulled into something dangerous here.”
“And that’s why I have no doubt you’ll be tagging along. But remember, this is girls’ night. We’re letting you boys hang around for your own peace of mind, but if you start raining on our parade, your peace of mind will find its way to the bottom of my list of concerns.”
Freya appeared at the top of the stairs, dressed in a blood-red top and dark jeans with her hair pulled back and her makeup done.
“I’ll be down in just a minute, Greta,” she called, waving to Greta, then winking at me.
Greta waved back, then turned back to me, all signs of humor gone. “You know I’d never do anything to jeopardize you or anyone you care about, Deo. We’re fully protected here, and you’re welcome to come along to be sure of it.”
“I know you’d never be careless like that,amica,”I said, and I meant it.
But she could bet her ass I’d be coming along.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Amadeo
The woman in the high-necked, sleeveless black dress writhed and spun on Onyx’s dance floor. There was a slit in the dress all the way up to her hip. Every move flashed more thigh, and every time she put her arms above her head, the dress slid up higher.
This was bad. Very bad. Amid all the micro-size club dresses and over-styled hair, she looked sophisticated and tasteful.
