Page 34 of Emerald

“Excuse me?”

“I have a date organized for tomorrow night.” She grins.

I shake my head. “You have a date?”

“Yeah.” She shrugs.

“Who with?”

“Someone on the inside.” She grins.

“Who?” I question her.

“Where do you think would be a great place to meet for a first date? He said I could choose.”

“Are you fucking serious? This isn’t a game, Ellie,” I state, raising my voice. Then a wall of water hits me square in the face. “What the fuck?” I splutter.

“Thought your tone needed some cooling down,” she sneers.

Is this woman for real? How has no one killed her? She is utterly infuriating. I wipe my face and shake off the drops. “You are insufferable.”

“Keep talking dirty to me, Nash.” She giggles.

I suck in a deep breath and count to five before I explode. “If you are insistent on this date, then arrange it at my bar, that way I can at least keep an eye on you.”

“Fine. But do not fuck this up for me,” she warns.

I roll my eyes at her as I jump up from the edge of the pool. “Enjoy your swim.” I turn and head inside fuming as I pull out my phone and madly start texting.

Nash: Brother, what the fuck is going on?

Nash: Who the hell have you brought to my door?

Nash: She’s arranged for a date with a cartel person already.

Nash: She is going to get me killed.

Brooks: If things go south and you and Ellie bail then get your ass to Ibiza.

Nash: That’s not comforting.

Nash: Wait. Is this a mission?

Brooks: Need to know basis, brother.

Nash: My life is on the line I’d call that need-to-know.

Brooks: You can trust Ellie.

Nash: Nope. Don’t think I can. The girl is going to get herself kidnapped or killed, probably in the next twenty-four hours.

Brooks: Trust me, she can look after herself.

Nash: Her? We’re talking about the blonde you sent my way. Doubtful.

Brooks: I wouldn’t want to go up against her.

Nash: What does that mean?

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