Page 23 of Volatile Vice

“I have a meeting.” He looks at his watch. “And then I want you to join me for lunch.”

I sigh. “Fine. Where and when?”

“At the McAllister house. We will be joined by a special guest.”

“Fine. Who?”

He smirks. “Your intended. Declan’s daughter, Belinda.”

7

RAVEN

By lunchtime, Leif and Falcon have a security team at my house. It will take them the rest of the day to install the top-notch security system. I fix us a lunch of turkey and avocado sandwiches. At first I thought I’d heat up the leftovers from my date with Vinnie last night, but the marinara from last night is ruined.

“I want you to have someone here living with you,” Falcon says.

“You mean like a live-in maid?”

He shakes his head. “I mean like a live-in bodyguard.”

I open my mouth to protest, but then I think about it. It’s probably not a bad idea.

“You have someone in mind?” I ask.

“I can get you a guy,” Leif says. “I’ve got contacts. Plus I’ve done work as a bodyguard myself.”

“I’d feel a lot more comfortable with you, Leif,” I say.

“I think we’d all feel more comfortable,” Falcon says, “but Leif’s a newlywed. I don’t think Kelly would relish him moonlighting as your bodyguard.”

“No, I guarantee you she wouldn’t.” Leif nods. “Don’t you worry, Raven. I’ll find you someone just as good—or better—than I am.”

I sigh. “When are you going to do Mom and Dad’s house?”

“Probably tomorrow,” Falcon says. “And I don’t want Mom around for it. It’ll just freak her out. I want you to get rid of her for the day.”

“How am I supposed to do that?”

“I don’t know. Ask her to take you into Austin for shopping. Or if you don’t want to go that far, say San Antonio. You’re not supposed to drive longer than twenty minutes, right?”

“Shopping? I don’t need anything.”

Leif laughs. “Since when does a woman need anything to go shopping?”

I dart him a glare. Robin may have been the tomboy when we were growing up, but she’s the shopper now. I hate shopping. I hate going out in public looking the way I do.

But whatever. I’ll do what I need to do.

“Fine,” I relent. “I’ll ask Mom to take me shopping tomorrow.” I scratch the side of my head. “What should I say we’re looking for? Buying clothes would be stupid when I’m finally putting back some of my weight.”

“Nix the shopping then,” Falcon says. “Tell her you want to spend some time with her. Go into San Antonio for lunch. Maybe see a movie.”

I think for a moment. “There is that new Matt Damon movie I’ve been wanting to see. We could catch a matinee.”

“There you go,” Leif says. “Perfect.”

“How long do you need?” I ask.

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