Remy kept his friend’s family liquor stocked at home. In addition to owning the bars and the PI business with Remy, Zach had a stake in Dirty Dare Spirits, a company his brother, Asher, started and had his siblings invest in. The success rivaled Casamigos and other celebrity-owned brands. From what Zach said, Asher had been offered plenty of money to sell but so far, the company remained in the family’s hands.
Dex filled everyone’s glass and the evening turned into joking and ribbing like they’d always done growing up.
Remy left them talking and rose, walking over to the huge window he often caught Raven staring out of, taking in the city.
“You okay?” Dex asked, joining him. Because they were the same age and had been friends even before Dex’s parents died and he came to live with the Sterlings, he and Dex shared a tight bond. Remy wasn’t surprised he was the one who’d come to check on him.
Remy shrugged. “Unsure.”
“Understandable.” Dex put a hand on his shoulder. “Try to relax. I have faith everything will work out.”
Remy attempted to feel the same way but the knots in his stomach had him on edge. “I think I’m going to head over to Fallon’s.”
“And interrupt girls’ night?”
Remy grinned. “I don’t think Raven will mind.”
Dex rolled his eyes. “And you talk shit aboutmyego?”
“I can’t wait to see the woman who knocks you off your feet.”
“Not happening,” Dex insisted. “There might have been someone… once. But it wasn’t meant to be.”
That came as a surprise and Remy narrowed his eyes. “Who? Because I’d remember if you ever mentioned someone.”
“You probably would have, if I ever gave you her name.” Dex finished his drink. “Come on. I’ll help you kick the others out and you can get going.”
Remy didn’t care if they stayed to hang out but when he and Dex announced they were leaving, everyone else said they’d go home too. So Remy headed to pick up Raven from his sister’s and hoped she wasn’t too drunk to talk when they got home.
***
Fallon’s apartment wasas eclectic as the woman who owned it, decorated with bright colors and fun prints on the walls. Instead of a penthouse like Remy, Fallon lived in a loft in Tribeca.
When Fallon had invited Raven to hang out, she told Raven to bring a friend. Raven had no doubt either Remy had told his sister that she was a loner or Fallon had figured it out for herself. The woman wasn’t just pretty and smart, she was intuitive, too.
“I love the art on the walls,” Stevie said, pointing to a colorful print behind the plush white sofa where they were sitting on. A little girl was skipping rope and the only color was a bright burst of hot pink in a bow on her head.
Fallon beamed, her eyes glittering like golden gemstones, reminding her of her brother’s gorgeous iris coloring. “Thank you. I created that one myself.”
Raven raised an eyebrow. “What do you do for a living? Or is it a hobby?” she asked.
Fallon shook her head. “I do silk screen pop art prints and I own a gallery nearby.”
“Oh, wow! I’d love to come see it sometime,” Stevie said. “You’re so talented!” She picked up her glass of cranberry juice and vodka and took a sip.
When they’d arrived and Fallon offered them drinks, all three wound up with the same choice. Then she led them to the white sofa. Raven and Stevie hesitated, not wanting to go near the no doubt expensive sofa and spill the berry-colored drink by mistake. Fallon had waved them off and informed them the couch was from Wayfair and even if it had been expensive, she wouldn’t care. It was meant to be enjoyed.
Raven was still nervous and tended to drink often to make sure there wasn’t much at the top of the glass. She’d wondered if she’d end up plastered by the time the night ended but soon after arriving, she’d realized Fallon just wanted to get to know her and she was touched that Remy’s sister had made the effort.
As usual, she tried to ignore the twisting in her stomach that warned her being with these women put them in possible danger, assuming Lance somehow was following her and knew who she cared about. But Remy knew about the invitation before Fallon had extended it and he’d arranged for security so Raven could go. He somehow sensed Lance’s grip on her life was becoming stifling so he’d figured out a way to let her have fun. He’d even promised to put a permanent guard on Fallon and Stevie afterward, and that had allowed Raven to agree to come.
How permanent the Alpha Security guard was remained to be seen. Remy was meeting with his detective friend tonight, along with Zach and his brothers. The brothers wanted to hang out and Remy planned to discuss her situation with the detective and Zach, both men he trusted.
When Zach’s now wife had issues with her father’s mob associates, she’d run to Zach for help. And he’d protected her, then put in motion something similar to what Raven suggested; drawing out the people who were making Hadley’s life hell. Raven prayed they’d talk Remy into letting her do the same.
“Fallon, how’s your father doing?” Stevie asked. “I know Remy took time off while he was in the hospital.”
Fallon sighed. “He’s home and feeling better. Thanks for asking. The doctors are optimistic since it was a mild heart attack. But he needs to take it easy for a while. My brother, Jared, works with him and now that Aiden’s home, he’s going to help out so Dad can stay home.”