Page 21 of Glamour and Grit

Unfolding the blanket, I toss it over her and let it settle from shoulders to toes. Her form becomes an indistinct hump beneath the bedding.

“We’re going to find him, Selene.”

“Tell me Moreno isn’t going to find me here?”

“Moreno doesn’t even know this place exists.”

She mumbles something else, but I can't make it out.

“Selene? What was that?”

Her only reply is a soft snore. I pull the blankets up a bit more securely. Without thinking, I brush my fingers across her smooth cheek.

I recoil as if I’ve touched a fire. What am I doing? You can’t just brush someone’s cheek because they passed out in your bed. I did it on instinct. Like it was the most normal thing in the world.

I leave her to slumber and gather up some spare pillows and blankets. Once I set up a nest on the sofa, I get out my phone and start pestering people I know for help and info.

The problem is, most of the crew I used to hang with moved on after I joined the Navy. I’ve got some connections through my time in the service, but I’m not sure if this situation is something they could help with. It’s a criminal matter, not a military one.

Jax’s kid brother, Bastian, knows a thing or two about the other side of the law. I shoot him a text. The status changes to read, but he doesn’t respond. I put the phone down and fuss with the AC on the food truck for a while.

After looking in on Selene to make sure she’s all right, I return to check the phone. Bastian has gotten back to me.

It’s date night, so make it quick.

I scowl, because no big brother likes to think about his little sister getting horizontal with anyone, and that feeling never goes away. Even if you like the guy, which I do.

Do you know anybody connected to the Moreno family?

Fuck you, don’t text shit like that. I’m calling.

My phone lights up with his name. I quickly answer so the ringtone won’t awaken Selene.

“What’s up? Don’t tell me you’re afraid of the Moreno family.”

“I’m smart enough to be cautious, if that’s what you mean.”

I hear my sister’s voice in the background, apparently a question because Bastian answers back.

“Caramel or chocolate fudge, either or I don’t care.”

“What are you doing?”

“Ordering food.”

“I thought it was date night. You’re staying in?”

“Yes, a date night can include ordering food in. Clearly you’ve been out of the game for a while. Now, I don’t know anyone connected that deeply to Moreno. Not anymore. But I do know a guy who might be able to get you into the upper echelon.”

I rub my eyes and sigh.

“Who might that be?”

“William Petty. He’s an accountant in Fresno.”

“An accountant? He doesn't sound Italian.”

“He’s not. He’s what they call an associate. You know, not part of the Family, but he does work for the Organization.”

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