Page 150 of Hard Luck (Blackstone House)

“They can take care of themselves. How do you feel about a game of golf?”

“With you?”

“Not much of a game if you play alone.”

“I haven’t played for years.” Gretchen had enjoyed golf, which meant Cole had played to please her. He’d left his clubs behind in the apartment they’d once shared. “You play much?”

“Not if I can help it. But a significant number of important people frequent golf courses, so it pays to have a grasp on the game. The course near here is owned by a fellow named Jesus Betancourt. When he isn’t hitting his balls into the rough, he has some unpalatable hobbies. I like to keep an eye on him.”

“Is it dangerous?”

Priest laughed. “Not unless you drink too much at the nineteenth hole and fall down the clubhouse steps.”

That was how Cole had ended up sharing a jovial lunch with a questionable Puerto Rican who definitely cheated at golf, several of his friends, and Priest, who Betancourt called Richard. The two were clearly acquainted, and if Priest hadn’t said what he said, Cole would have assumedthe two men were friends. Priest introduced Cole as “a hotel guy from Vegas,” and Cole bluffed his way through a conversation about produce costs and profit margins.

This new life was really fucking weird, but at least lunch was free.

Back on board theBlack Diamond, Cole ordered his beer and settled beside Bella on the sundeck.

“How was lunch?” she asked.

“Strange.”

“Welcome to my world. It’s good that you’re getting along with Priest, especially since you’ll be spending time at the Cathouse when we get back.”

“The Cathouse?” Wasn’t a cathouse another name for a brothel?

“Our home. Casa del Gato. Before we moved in, it belonged to Dick Steele.”

“The Prince of Porn?” Shit. “I’m not sure I should have admitted I know who that is.”

Bella laughed. “You can try out our dick-shaped water slide.”

“Is that a joke?”

“You’ll just have to come over and find out.”

Living arrangements were a discussion for another day. Cole had a place, and Bella had a place, and where they slept didn’t make much difference as long as they were together. There were times when she’d be away for work, and there were times when he’d travel to San Gallicano, but that was okay. They’d find their way back together. He liked her independence. Last night as they lay in bed, she’d confided that she was glad he had other interests because it took some of the pressure off her.

“No need, I think I saw the slide in a video once.”

Bella rolled onto her side. “Isthata joke?”

“I’m sure your hacker friend can find out.”

Another laugh. She smiled more these days. “If youwere lunching with an arms dealer, I don’t suppose you saw the news?”

An arms dealer? Well, fuck. “What’s on the news?”

“A massive pile of drugs and a police chief praising the brave actions of the San Gallicano Department of Emergency Services.”

Bella handed over her phone with a replay cued up, and Cole watched the piece as the crew member returned with their drinks, put them on the low tables on either side of the double sun lounger, and retreated.

“The chief took the credit for everything you did.”

“Yes, and that’s perfect. I don’t want my name anywhere near the media.”

“How about the gold? They didn’t mention it.”

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