Page 46 of Sinful Bargains

“Another shooting in Manhattan earlier today. Witnesses reported a group of well-dressed men in ski masks, firing openly in the streets. No silencers were used, which points to one group in particular. One of the alleged New York crimes?—”

I quickly reached forward and shut off the radio, just as I pulled up to the curb outside Angela’s.

Antonio shot me a suspicious look. “Why’d you turn it off?”

I kept my voice even. “Because you don’t need to hear that. And honestly? I don’t either.”

His expression darkened. “Why? Because it’s true?”

I sighed, turning in my seat to face him. “Antonio, we’re not doing this again. You don’t need to know everything happening in the world.”

His jaw tightened. “This is the next city over. This is happening right in front of us.”

I exhaled, gripping the steering wheel. “Sometimes it’s best to stay out of things, Antonio.” He flung the passenger door open and stepped out, heading straight for Angela’s front door. Ifollowed a few steps behind, my mind still tangled in the conversation we’d just had.

Inside, Angela was in the kitchen alongside Lucy. “Adriana!” Angela grinned as she spotted me.

I slid my sunglasses off, setting them on the counter before plopping into a chair at the kitchen table. “What’s happened?” Lucy asked, narrowing her eyes.

“Where’s your martinis when I need one?” I sighed.

Her eyes lit up, and she straightened. “Jesus, that can be arranged at the snap of a finger,” she chirped. I chuckled, shaking my head as she got to work, carefully eyeballing the correct ratio of olive brine, vermouth, and vodka.

Angela, however, kept her focus on me. “What’s going on?” she pressed.

I exhaled, rubbing my temple. “Well, Joey showed up at my house a few days ago and practically spilled his feelings for me. I’ve avoided him since. And today, when I picked up Antonio from practice, Coach Artie decided to subtly flirt with me.”

Angela nearly choked. “Arthur? What on Earth did he say?”

“Hold on, you’re getting ahead of things, Angela,” Lucy cut in. “I want to hear what Joey said first.”

I chuckled. “He’s under the impression I should just wait around for him to figure out whatever it is he’s got going on with Renee, and then, I suppose, we’ll live happily ever after.”

“And you don’t want to?” Lucy asked, setting a martini in front of me before taking a seat.

I sighed, taking a long sip. “I want a nice man. Agoodman.”

Angela raised an eyebrow. “Artieis a good man.”

“I amnotdating my son’s baseball coach,” I stated firmly. “I don’t need a man right now.”

“I hate to be the one to ask this,” Lucy chimed in beside me, swirling her drink, “but what fun are good guys?”

“Don’t listen to Lucy,” Angela said, waving a dismissive hand. “We’ve got each other. We don’t need a man to make things happen.”

Lucy rolled her eyes dramatically. “Oh, Christ,girl poweragain?” She took a long sip of her martini.

Angela smirked. “You literally chased Hector out of the house yesterday morning. Maybe consider yourownlove life before handing out advice to Adriana, who is perfectly fine without a man.”

Lucy giggled, raising her glass. “She’s right. My love life is atrain wreck. Don’t listen to me.”

I shook my head, taking another sip of my drink. “Well, at least you’re self-aware.”

“Self-awareness iskey, darling,” Lucy said, clinking her martini glass against mine. “Not that it stops me from making terrible decisions.”

Angela rolled her eyes. “That’s the understatement of the year.”

“At least my love life isinteresting. Unlike some people at this table.” Lucy grinned and side-eyed Angela.

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