Page 143 of Hard Luck (Blackstone House)

“You’re not using me for anything. I’m offering. And if you don’t want my money, then I’d suggest getting your uncle’s wine collection valued.”

“Huh?”

“The bottle I threw at one of the intruders was worth seven hundred bucks. Don’t worry, we replaced it.”

“Are you kidding me?”

“Nope. And I’m guessing that if your uncle was in financial difficulties, he didn’t realise how much it was worth either. Most of the bottles were pretty dusty. But valuations take time, so for now, I’ll buy your groceries. If we’re going to do this thing, this relationship, we need to learn how to compromise, and we need to learn how to share.”

“Compromise? I didn’t think you knew the meaning of the word.”

“It’s not a concept I’m overly familiar with, no. But for you, I’ll try.”

Cole pulled me tighter against him. “I love you for that, and I love you for being so unapologetically you. We can head back to Vegas whenever you’re ready. You want to go with the others?”

“You’re okay with that?”

“I am.”

“Our plane is at the airport in Ilha Grande. Apparently, the pilot is out partying with the locals, so I don’t suppose we’ll be leaving too early.”

“You have a plane?”

“Having our carry-on bags searched every time we fly gets awkward, and it’s hard to fit a grenade launcher in a diplomatic pouch.”

“Is that a joke?”

“Yes?” No. “Anyhow, there’s something called a ‘Shack Attack’ involved. Do you know what that is?”

Cole groaned. “Unfortunately.”

“Can you tell me? Because the message didn’t make a whole lot of sense.”

“The Shack is a gay bar near the airport. Is Marcel your pilot? He’s gay, right?”

“If Marcel was our pilot, we’d all be dead. Storm is our pilot, and no, she’s not gay, but she is bi.”

“Then I guess she’s taking her shots a different way tonight.”

“Explain.”

“Shack Attack is their club night. Think loud music, little clothing, and limbo dancing.”

“Limbo dancing?”

“If you knock the pole, you have to do a shot out of a twink’s bellybutton.”

“What happens if you don’t knock the pole?”

“Two shots.”

“You’ve been there?”

“With Frankie.”

“Man, Storm’s gonna be unconscious. I mean, she’s pretty flexible, and she used to be a gymnast.”

“Want me to ask Frankie to pick her up?”

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