Page 30 of Blood & Kisses

It’s funny that we met through Z. Me buying a gun, him noticing that I didn’t know how to use it, and now we’re constant lovers. But it does raise more questions than answers. The one man who runs into me in the pool, berates me afterward, and then pursues me romantically is also a childhood friend of the gun seller and the son of the detective who saved me from ruin two years ago.

What are the odds?

“Huh, what the odds?” I mutter as I take out a fresh pair of underwear from my bag because mine are still sticky after the session with Blake in my apartment. If I stay a while, maybe I should put my clothes away in the drawers and closet. Or maybe getting too comfortable will only cause disappointment when Gabe asks me to leave eventually.

I found a nice floral blouse and a summer skirt for dinner, a little more formal than shorts and a T-shirt since we’re having a meeting. That seems business-like.

While brushing my thick, luxurious hair, I consider all the questions I should ask him after the meeting as we dine this evening. The man dropped from the apartment window, which was a good place to start. Did he slip, or did Gabe let him slip? Then there’s the elephant in the room: a detective associated with murderers. I mean…that’s hardly a good look for the Torres Island Police Department. I chuckle at the absurdity of it.

Here’s another question I can ask…Blake turned up at my murder scene and my apartment, like he, by some miracle, knew where I was. Nope. Without a doubt, I’m being tracked and followed. Not that I mind that much, but it would’ve been nice if they told me.

Of course, I can’t get past the strange coincidence that they know each other and choose to bring me into their personal lives. When I look at it from this perspective, I’d say it was planned down to the last detail, but that could be my paranoia. Even if I asked, would Gabe tell me the truth?

I stand in front of the mirror as I gather my hair in my hands to tie into a ponytail, but my golden hair on this occasion looks today and…if I’m going to be honest, if I can impress Gabe with what natural born talents I have, I’d call that a win. I let my long hair fall down my back like a golden waterfall and checked myself over three times for blemishes and food stains before returning downstairs.

To my disappointment, I can hear voices in the throes of a lively conversation in the kitchen and discover that Mr. Sullen himself is here.

“You’ve scrubbed up nicely,” Cormac says, leaning down to kiss my neck, inhaling the scent of my hair while his hand pats my bum. I’m a little embarrassed he did that in front of Gabe, and now Gabe knows that I’m sexually involved with both his son and Blake, but I need to let him know that there’s room for him, too. However, something tells me he’s not the type of man to share a woman with.

“Thanks,” I reply as he pops open a bottle of Sav Blanc as if he’s staying for dinner. “Are you here for the meeting, too?”

“Yep,” he replies, grabbing a stem glass from a cupboard. “Wine?”

“Sure. Thanks, but ah…what type of meeting is this?” The liquor will give me the courage to ask the questions that need honest answers.

“A family meeting,” a voice replies behind me, and it’s Blake’s usual friendly manner, who can charm the scales of a rattlesnake. He kisses me on the cheek, and I look to Gabe, who’s the only man in the room who hasn’t kissed me or fondled me in one way or another, to see if he wants to grab my bum as well, but he’s too busy organizing the food. Damn.

Cormac, “Bro, beer or wine? Or something harder?”

“Beer,” Blake answers as Cormac hands me a glass of wine.

“Go sit at the table,” Gabe flicks his hand at us to leave his busy space. We file out and head to the dining room, beautifully decorated with lit white candles and fancy cutlery. It seems more like a romantic dinner than a business one.

“Wait. Are you two going to propose marriage to me?” I joke when I take in the scene before me.

“Not yet,” Blake replies under his glass of beer, and I smile, knowing that he’s joking…or is he?

“No, we’re buttering you up,” Cormac states, dragging out a chair for me to sit on like the gentleman he is. Although I wouldn’t consider fucking me up a tree overly gentlemanly, but no one is perfect.

I smooth my skirt down and graciously take my seat. Blake sits directly opposite, and Cormac is at the bottom of the table, whereas Gabe’s place is at the top, where the king should be.

I let the wine wash across my tongue, the bubbles invigorating my senses, tickling my nose as Cormac’s narrowed eyes watch me closely. A smile draws from my lips being dined by my beautiful men, feeling quite spoiled, but I’m apprehensive about why we’ve been gathered and what the meeting is about.

“How was your day?” Cormac asks, then takes a sip of his beer.

“I arrived late for work and was given a verbal warning, so I worked overtime,” I explain. I didn’t want to tell them the warning was from our liaison in the woods because I didn’t want Gabe to overhear. “Then I overheard one of the coaches talking about Lyons. It seems most students believe that Lyons wife is the murderer because she found out he was a cheating rapist.” I sip my wine again to smother the brick of guilt in my gut. “I really hope she doesn’t get blamed.”

Blake leans back in his chair. “Why would she? She’s got a tight alibi,” he states confidently.

“Really? How do you know?” I frown, wondering if his statement came from a place of fact or assumptions.

“Gabe told us,” he replies. “Don’t worry about it, Rae. It’s all covered.”

I’m even more confused now. “What’s all covered?”

“The entire gig. It will never lead back to you, and an innocent will not be arrested for it,” he explains casually as if he’s talking about visiting the zoo rather than a double homicide. Nothing seems to faze him.

“What about Gavin the Pig?” I ask, glancing at Cormac for input, but he lets Blake do the talking.

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