Page 84 of Golden Touch
“We have to do something about your car,” I say softly, still staring into her eyes.
But my heart says,we have to do something about those 175 miles.
CHAPTER 37
LIVIA
The next few days seem to happen fast. In the first place—per their girlfriends’ Instagrams—the Valkyries are back in Vermont. When I spot the clubhouse in the background of a new photo, my stomach cramps.
Meanwhile, Benito and his squad are squirreled away somewhere, plotting our sting operation. “I’m staying away from the brewery, just in case they’re watching the place,” he says during one of our many phone calls. “But I have a bunch of plans to send you. Be on the lookout, okay?”
He wasn’t kidding. Every couple of hours, I get a new email. I’m asked to look at maps of various spots on the west side of the state, as they scout out potential meeting places. And I’m asked to review a sheet of talking points for the phone call when I try to convince Razor to meet me.
Still, it all seems like a problem for another day, until I get a certain text.
Benito
My guys sighted Razor at his Rutland shop the last three days, but I want to grab him before he leaves again. Let’s do our phone call at 10p.
Tonight???
Yeah, I find calls at night come off as spontaneous, and less suspicious.
Okay. Better to get this over with, right?
I look at the clock. It’s four now, leaving only six hours to panic.
I’m sending an undercover female officer over with a burner phone.
Is 10 okay?
It’s not okay at all. And yet it will have to be. I confirm with him and then set my phone down.
Then I pick it up immediately and text Nash.
You around?
I feel gutted when he doesn’t answer immediately. And then I want to kick myself for feeling that way. But one minute later, there’s a gentle tap on the office door. “Pussycat?”
I rise from my chair just as Nash steps inside. He takes three paces and gathers me into a tight hug. “You okay?”
“Yes,” I say, melting against his chest. I am now. “Benito wants to do the call tonight. Ten o’clock.”
“Tonight,” he whispers. “Hell. That’s soon.”
“Yeah,” I say lamely. “But it’s time, right? I’m tired of bullies.”
He sighs. Then he cups my face in both hands. “You are a badass.”
“On my good days.”
He leans in and kisses my nose. “I’m taking you out to dinner tonight.”
“What? I thought we were being careful.”
“We are,” he says. “I didn’t say it would be glamorous. We need to get out of the house.”
That does sound appealing. “What’s the dress code?”
