Page 116 of Barristers & Bones

A few days later, my cell phone rang as I sat in my office, finishing up some last-minute work before heading home to Luna. I looked forward to going home now since it had gone from a cold mausoleum where I slept and ate an occasional meal, to a warm place full of light, laughter, and reminders of hers scattered around. Diego’s name flashed on my screen.

“Rodriguez. What’s going on?”

“Hey, motherfucker,” Diego chuckled. “I just heard you’re having a renewal of vows at the Wild West Wedding Chapel next week. I better be invited.”

Gazing out my office window, I grinned as I took in the Las Vegas skyline in the dusky light. “You’re invited, and Heath Cassidy is performing the ceremony. He took a liking to Luna when she couldn’t get enough of his whorehouse memorabilia. Roy and Rick arenotinvited, though, just so we’re clear. I don’t want them sitting in the back, fantasizing about double penetrating my wife.”

He laughed. “Fair enough, but you can’t stop people from having a few thoughts when your wife looks that fine.”

I sighed. “She asked Heath about his brothel memorabilia, and he offered to teach her to shoot.”

“He only does that when hereallylikes someone.”

“I know. How are things at the bar and shop?” The Area Fifty-Three biker bar was located near Bonanza and Maryland Parkway in North Las Vegas and was usually packed with bikers, hotheads, and clueless tourists. Diego and Ivan were partners and owned the bar together. It was in a rougher part of town and an MC club hangout.

“Well, neither has burned down yet. I’m turning business away at the shop, and Fifty-Three is always jammed with fuckin’ rubberneckers who have death wishes. There’s been a lot of activity about Luna’s father, though. A few members have been pulled in for questioning.”

I leaned back in my chair. “I’m not surprised, we’ve been dragged in too. Luna gave her statement to an officer, but she hasn’t seen her dad in years.” It was better for Diego and his crew to have plausible deniability.

“I also heard through the drug trafficking grapevine that the drug syndicate cracked down on the Stracks, and Silas is going crazy again because his other son is missing now.”

Xander stepped into my doorway, and I waved him inside. He’d let his hair down and untucked his shirt. I looked down to check and see if he still had his shoes on. “We’re aware,” I told Diego. “If you hear of the Stracks making a move, I’d appreciate a heads up.”

“You got it. I’ll see you next week at the Wild West Wedding Chapel. Lucky fucker.”

I set my phone down. “Did you hear that? A few of Diego’s men got dragged in and questioned.”

Xander nodded. “It’s fine, since they don’t know anything. Have you told Luna about the vow renewal next week?”

“No. I’ll tell her tonight.”

He cocked his head and studied me. “For such a controlling man, you’ve done a good job of almost ruining things with the one woman who matters.”

“What do you mean, asshole?”

He crossed his arms. “How you met, what you planned to do to her, how you drugged and tricked her into marrying you. Have you even told her how you feel?”

Scowling, I stood and shrugged into my jacket. “That’s none of your damn business.”

“You’re my brother, Roman. So I decided it’s my business. Don’t be a coward, and don’t let those fuckers take anything else from you. Tell her how you feel and lock it down.”

Xander rarely talked this much, so I knew he thought it was important. I paused at his serious tone, thought about what he’d said, and nodded. “I will. Now get your ass out of my way so I can go home to my wife.” He grinned and stepped aside.

Chapter 39

Luna

When I entered the quiet house, a light from a side table lamp cast soft shadows through the room. I searched for signs of Roman as I walked into the kitchen. A bottle of whiskey sat on the counter, and I inhaled its faint smoky tang. Heading to the back patio, I found him sitting in a lounger beside the lit stone firepit, its warmth warding off the desert chill.

He smiled and patted the cushion. “Hello, wife. Come here.”

“Hello, husband. It’s good to be home.” I crawled up the oversized lounger and snuggled into his warmth. His scent and the feel of his muscular arms around me felt more like home than anything I’d ever experienced, and I just breathed him in for a moment.

“Diego called today,” he murmured.

“What’d he have to say?”

He filled me in on Diego’s phone call. I’d told the police what I knew when they interviewed me, leaving out what would implicate us and that my father had been tortured and buried alive. Minor details.

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