Page 26 of Mafia Handbook

“Doesn't matter, Gil.” Bash waved off the conversation, which by the glassiness of Gil’s eyes would have taken an eternity. “What does matter is this man here,” pointing his thumb toward Slate. “Is going to take this lame-ass attempt at a glitter bomb and find out everything he can about who made it, while I take Milena somewhere safe.”

* * *

Adjustingthe strap over her left shoulder, Milena cautiously approached her car as butterflies swam inside her stomach. She never dreamed Bash would go to such an extreme when she’d called him, bringing additional men with him as he’d turned her living room into a crime scene investigation.

“All clear,” Slate announced as he stood to his full height, pocketing the scanning device and sending Milena what he hoped was a reassuring smile. “At least we know we aren't dealing with one of us.” He added low enough so only Bash couldhear.

“Not sure what the fuck we’re dealing with anymore,” Bash returned honestly. While everything pointed to this Gridlock fuck, he couldn’t get over the fact no serious gamer would want glitter anywhere near his equipment.

“Is there something wrong with my car?”

Reaching out, Bash pulled the strap from Milena’s shoulder before tossing it over his own. “Everything is fine, it’s just a precaution. Whoever left that box on your stoop had access to your car.”

Milena’s eyes flashed wide as she jerked her gaze to the beat-up car she’d driven for years. Did Frank hate her enough to want her dead?

“Calm down, Sweetness,” placing his fingers under Milena’s chin, shifting her attention back to him. “I trust Slate with my life. If he says everything is fine, we have nothing to worry about.”

Nodding her head, Milena closed her eyes as Bash dropped his hand, a shiver blanketing her skin. “Can we get out of here? I need a hot shower to wash all of this glitter off me.”

Sliding his hand into the front pocket of his jeans, the skin where he’d touched her tingling as if he’d touched a live wire. “Go ahead and jump in your car, Slate will follow us in mine.”

Slate waited until Milena closed the door of the rusty car before turning on Bash. “Sweetness? Never heard you use that one before.”

“Shut the fuck up, Slate. She’s a client, who is scared out of her mind.”

“And you are Cleo-fucking-patra, queen of denial.”

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