Page 66 of Kill Me Sweetly

“Lizzy say it was all good?” JJ took my hand in his.

We’d slept wrapped in each other, showered together, had even eaten with our legs touching. It wasn’t that I thought any of us were going to die, but with all we’d been through, we knew monumental jobs like the ones we were going on right now had big risks. We’d be stupid not to be afraid.

“Yep, she said she thinks she sold it, and Wes didn’t sound weirded out by any of it. Said he was glad he’d get an update on everything.”

His smile was tight. “Good. Okay…please be safe.”

Our kiss wasn’t quick, and I ignored Noel gagging a few feet away. It actually only spurred me on. I lifted JJ in my arms, he wrapped his legs around my waist, and we didn’t break apart until Noel said, “Gross, I’m out,” and left the kitchen.

We all laughed at the welcome levity.

“We gotta get going,” Gabe announced as he and Mason walked hand in hand out the side door to the garage.

“Stay alive, fuckers!” Nick shouted from the desk in the corner, where he had five monitors set up.

JJ and I met up with Gabe and Mason at their SUV. Gabe was going to act as the driver for them. It wouldn’t be unusual for rich people to have one.

“Please be safe. Check in with Nick and Noel when you can.” He wrapped me in his arms.

“You too, my vicious viper.”

“Promise.”

I waited for them to drive off before joining Angel in our car.

“It’ll be fine, Shep.” He started the engine and backed out.

“I sure as shit hope you’re right.”

“So do I, Brother. So do I.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

JJ

Yup,this place truly looked like someone had popped open a huge bottle of Pepto Bismol and poured it over the house. Like, I mean…why? Clearly, they didn’t care if they were seen but again, and I couldn’t state this enough…why?

“That’s one ugly house.” Gabe was clearly the mouthpiece to my brain.

“Hopefully it’s different on the inside. There’s only so much pink I can take.” Mason was also vocalizing what I was thinking.

Gabe drove up the circular driveway, stopping at the main entrance. He got out, and Mason gave my hand a squeeze. It was brief but it screamed, “We’re in this together.” I returned the gesture, and he opened the door.

Two men approached our vehicle; the older of the two was welcoming. “Welcome to Alicia House. Mr. and Mr. Columbus?”

“Yes.” There. I’d said a word.…Why was I so nervous?

“Lovely. Won’t you follow us?”

“Uh, pardon.” Mason got his attention, and he turned around. “My driver, where might he be able to wait for us?”

He glanced at Gabe, whose appearance was fairly big and scary when he didn’t smile.

“He can either stay with the vehicle, or there’s a sitting area by reception.”

Mason beamed. “Wonderful. Come along, Conner, you might as well rest inside while Clark and I tour this beautiful house.”

Yeah, good thing Mason had said that; I wasn’t sure I’d have been able to call it beautiful without gagging.

---