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“I didn’t know you were seeing anyone.”

Carrie squeezed her hand. She didn’t like hurting anyone, and she could hear a hint of hurt in Darci’s voice. “I’m not. You know I always tell you when I have a new partner. We have slept together, but I don’t think he likes me very much. It’s complicated. I’m staying in his guest room. A story I’m working on got… interesting and my apartment isn’t safe right now. His name came up in my investigation and he wants to keep me close.”

Darci gasped and shoved Carrie in the shoulder. “Why am I just now hearing about this? You’re my best friend.”

Carrie winced. “I’m sorry. You know how I get.”

Darci rolled her eyes. “Over-caffeinated, under-masturbated, and sleep deprived?”

Carrie laughed. “Something like that. But also, this story is huge and I can’t talk about it. Let’s just say it’s made my life colorful for a few days. We’ll go get drinks and make-out with Olivia sometime soon.”

Darci grinned. “You’re on. Guess who I talked into coming to the official opening of the club?”

Carrie furrowed her brow. “Michael?”

Darci nodded, her red curls bouncing as she did. “Yep. It’s under the guise of making sure the place is safe enough for me, but he’s coming and I’m totally going to find him a girlfriend.”

“Jesus, please don’t let it be me. He’s hot and all but not my type.”

Darci grinned. “No way. If you slept with him, then I couldn’t sleep with you anymore. He’s like my brother, so we will never share lovers.”

Carrie glanced at the door and saw Peter looking at his watch.

“I should go. Love you, honey. We’ll spend some real time together soon.”

She hugged Darci and kissed her cheek then headed for Peter.

They walked through the front yard to his SUV. The drive was silent until they pulled into his parking garage. Before he turned the car off, he faced her, a solemn look on his face.

“Just so you know, if you were mine and you lied to me like that, I would spank the hell out of you as soon as we got inside.”

***

Peter watched Carrie’s face as he made his less than subtle threat, looking for signs that he had freaked her out or piqued her interest. Shutting the car off, he opened his door, intent on opening hers, too. Instead, she hopped out before he got to her and ran toward the elevator.

The drive home may have been quiet, but Peter’s thoughts had been anything but.

The most common thought running through his mind was ‘of all the gin joints.’ How had he not seen Carrie at a party before now? Maybe he had and just didn’t notice her. Maybe she wore wigs to a lot of parties. Though, come to think of it, Edith said Carrie normally came to her parties. Peter didn’t go to Edith’s because he didn’t like the neighborhood she lived in. It was too close to one of his former protectees. The old warehouse turned kink club was far enough away from anyone that he was safe to be a part of it.

D.C. was a small town in so many ways, and tonight just proved that once again. The elevator ride was quiet.

When he unlocked his door and stepped aside for Carrie, she scurried off to the guest bedroom, mumbling something about being tired.

Peter locked the door behind him and stood in the entryway dazed for a moment. When he shook himself out of it, he made his way to his office to check for any important updates from his team.

His phone rang as he sat at his desk.

“Gage, I figured you would be in bed with someone. What’s up?”

“You left with Carrie, and Edith said you read her the riot act about bringing her to the party. What’s going on?”

Peter tipped his head back and closed his eyes. He didn’t want to answer a bunch of personal questions. “It’s complicated.”

“So, did you know her before tonight?”

“I did. I can’t go into detail, but she’s staying with me right now. In the guest room.”

Gage whistled. “Wasn’t expecting that. You know what she does for a living. What does mama Mercer think of your new roommate?”

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