Page 27 of Smooth Sailing

Suzette didn’t come close to looking any of the men in the eye. She also didn’t come fully out into the open. She lingered at Diana’s back, just to the side, and she had her fingers wrapped so tightly around Diana’s forearm, Hugger could see the white come out around the beds of her nails.

That hold was going to leave bruises, but Diana didn’t flinch or give that first indication she even felt it.

Hugger partially understood this, considering his vibe was joining the other men’s when they caught sight of her, and these were not happy vibes. He wanted to control it, but the state of Suzette, he was finding that impossible.

The other part he understood was that a man did this to her, so men freaked her.

“This is Hugger and, uh…” Diana started to introduce them.

“Eight,” Eightball grunted.

“Muzzle,” Muzz said.

“Cruise,” Cruise put in tightly.

“Like I told you, they’re here to help us keep things steady and cool while the DA builds his case and then…” Diana trailed off.

“Stick until Babic is locked up,” Eight bit out.

“So, um…for the long haul,” Diana concluded.

Suzette said nothing.

Diana turned to her, pried her hand off her forearm but held it in hers, grabbing the other one too.

“They need to know you’re okay with that,” she said gently. “So now you’ve met them, you and I’ll go back to your room and talk about it. Okay?”

Suzette nodded, let Diana go and nearly sprinted back down the hall.

Hugger’s hands closed into fists.

Diana shot them a look and swiftly followed her.

Hugger concentrated on her ass swaying because he needed that goodness to chase out the bad.

“That motherfucker…” Muzzle gritted.

“Cool it,” Cruise murmured.

Hugger needed some air, even if that air was dusty, dry and hot as fuck.

So he walked to the sliding glass door that led to a balcony, which had patio furniture that was mostly blue (the cushions and pillows) but also white (the frames).

He stepped out and homed right in on the two sleazeballs that were sitting outside a coffee place across the courtyard from Diana’s unit.

One of them lifted his paper cup Hugger’s way.

Hugger considered flipping him the bird but decided against it.

He also considered going down there and knocking their goddamned heads together.

He decided against that too.

Instead, he stepped closer to the railing and cased the courtyard in the middle of the square complex.

Six breezeways to unit entry vestibules. Two in the middle on each side and one at each corner.

Total fucking open-to-all space in the middle, with ample visitor parking on the north side.

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