Page 46 of Blue Moon

“Shani…” someone warned from behind her.

“What? It’s not as if she doesn’t know he’s hot. Anyhow, I came to tell you guys that there’s a fresh car waiting downstairs. We’ll get the scratches polished out of the other one in a day or two.”

Rocky slunk past her into the room and nudged my hand with his nose, and I crouched to pet him, grateful for the distraction.

“Sorry, boy. I don’t have any more snacks.” I looked up at Shani. “Is there anything I can do for him? Buy him some treats?”

“Sure, he loves treats. But what he really needs is a permanent home.”

“I can’t believe he hasn’t found one yet.”

“Most folks want puppies. Plus Rocky’s still a little sick at the moment.”

“Sick how?”

“He has heartworms. Luckily, we caught the infection at stage one, so he has a great chance of recovery as long as he finishes his treatment plan.”

“Why don’t you pay a visit to the shelter, moon?” Ryder suggested. “A pack of reporters will follow you, and you can use the publicity to the dogs’ advantage.”

Shani squealed. “I’m going there after work tomorrow. Wanna come?”

I shook my head. “Monday is my only day off. All the other evenings, I have shows.”

“Saturday morning?”

“As long as it’s early.”

“I’ll get up at four a.m. if you want.”

“Ugh, not that early.”

“Eight a.m.?”

I glanced to Ryder, and he nodded. “Okay, eight a.m.”

“I’ll make sure there’s cake,” Shani promised, and she knew me so well already. “But if you don’t work Mondays, that’s perfect. You can both come to our quiz night next week. We’re raising money for the shelter.”

“Shani…” Ryder said, and I got the impression people warned her in that tone a lot. “Luna needs a break.”

“Eating pizza and answering trivia questions will be a perfect break from showbiz. Plus Rocky will be there, and how can you turn down that cute face?”

“I don’t mind—” I started, but my words were cut off by another squeal, and this time, it wasn’t Shani’s. A small man with slicked-back brown hair had his hands and face pressed against the glass, and his mouth was hanging open. Before anyone could put him in a straitjacket, he burst into the room. Ryder moved in front of me in a heartbeat, shielding my body with his. I hadn’t even noticed him pull his gun. The newcomer shrieked, Rocky shot under the table, and now everyone was looking at us.

13

RYDER

Vegas was the land of crazies.

Who the fuck was this asshole, and how had he gotten up to the second floor?

“Put the gun away,” Shani ordered. “For Pete’s sake.”

“You know this guy?”

“Unfortunately,” she muttered under her breath. “Meet Marcel.”

He had a visitor badge clipped to his lapel, so he didn’t work for Blackwood. Was security asleep downstairs? Ryder tucked his gun back into its holster, but he kept his hand over the grip.

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