Page 81 of Lure

“Be careful?” It was as much a question as it was a caution.

“We’ll be fine, Gracie. Look after Alphabet and Goblin.”

Some of my apprehension fled. “I can do that.”

“I know you can.” Then he pressed a kiss to my lips and held it there. A surge of rioting emotions flooded me. The kiss was both sweet and passionate. A promise and an assurance. When he leaned back, he gave me a long look then he rose and his gaze flicked to behind me. “Ready?”

“Yep,” Voodoo said. “Alphabet and Goblin will be down in a few.” Fresh alarm flooded me when he paused as the front door chimed signaling Lunchbox had left the house. I glanced up at him. We were—something and he’d just seen Lunchbox kiss me. “Don’t look so worried, Firecracker. I don’t mind if Lunchbox kisses you, as long as you don’t mind.”

“No?” Oh that came out a little warbly and feeble. I shook off the panic. “Take two, you don’t?”

“Nope. He tell you to call any of us if you need us or something goes wrong?”

“He did and he said you didn’t have to answer, if you saw the call, you’d drop everything and come back.” The fact that two of them were emphasizing the point worried me a little. “Is Alphabet okay?”

“Yes. But we’re keeping you in the loop, as promised. We don’t expect anything to go wrong but only a fool assumesnothingwill happen.” The deadpan delivery only seemed to underscore the sentiment.

“Got it. Do I say good luck?”

“Good hunting.” Then with a caress to my cheek, he headed out. They left through the front door and the chime signaled his exit.

My heart was a fist in my chest. Glancing down at the food I hadn’t finished, I wrapped my hands around the coffee cup. They were going to find a way to kidnap Maurizio so he could answermyquestions.

Had he done something to Amorette? I’d always thought of him as harmless. Pushy but harmless. Yet, we’d flown thousands of miles to pick him up and find the truth.

And I… I was really ready for them to do that. To find out what he knew.

But what if he didn’t know anything? What if Maurizio wasn’t involved? My stomach dropped and an icy heat spread over my skin. What then?

After downing the last of the coffee, I rose and carried my plate to the sink. There was a covered plate on a warmer. Food for Alphabet. I took care of the few dishes that were still there and scraped off the last of my eggs into the trash. Even the thought of eating them made me feel ill.

I took my time washing the dishes. Once they were done, I wasn’t sure what I would do next. Thankfully, the sound of claws clicking against the wood told me I was about to have company.

I was drying my hands on a dish towel when they arrived in the kitchen. I’d even found my smile when I turned around. What took some effort became genuine as Goblin trotted over to me eagerly, tail wagging and I got a good look at the very rumpled, hair askew Alphabet.

“You know they make combs,” I murmured and he gave me a grunt in response. “There’s also coffee.”

Not that I needed to tell him that, he was already making a beeline for the pot.

“Want me to let Goblin out?”

Another grunt.

And I thoughtIwasn’t a morning person.

“I got it. They left you food there, too. Going to take him out back. Maybe we can walk him later.”

Alphabet gave me a bleary look. I swore I could see the processing sign circling in front of him before he nodded.

“I’ll be back, c’mon, Goblin. You can eat after you pee.” The dog checked with Alphabet before he followed me. The yard wasn't that large. It was more of a terraced garden, but it had grass. Just meant we needed to clean up his crap.

The air was cool and the breeze came straight from the sea. The Mediterranean was visible over the roofs of the houses below. Our villa sat fairly high up. I could see the boats in the harbor. The sun had me shading my eyes, but I also tilted my face back to let the warmth hit me.

It was picture perfect and it seemed almost hollow to enjoy it considering why we were here. Goblin took care of his business swiftly. “Good boy,” I praised when he trotted back to me.

He led me back into the house and I glanced back at the ocean before following him. Alphabet was in the kitchen, right where I left him. Only now, he drank coffee and ate his food. The pot had been emptied but he’d started another.

Goblin’s food was also down and he made a beeline for it. When the coffee finished brewing, I filled a fresh cup for myself and then stared at Alphabet, waiting for him to wake up the rest of the way.

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