Page 79 of The Love Losers

“Any updates?”

He glances my way. “I just spoke with Anthony on the phone before heading over here. It looks like someone’s trying to push through a rival housing project, which could have given someone motive to mess with Anthony’s plans.”

“What about Nina?” I ask. Then I tell them about “running into them” this morning and the paintball sesh that end with Wilson’s balls getting creamed.

“Oh, shit, we made an enemy.” Nicole whistles.

“Do you think it’s her?”

“It fits,” Damien answers with a shrug.

“But it feels too easy,” Nicole adds. “Things that feel too easy usually are too easy.”

Damien nods his agreement. “I’ve spoken to Anthony’s second-in-command at Smith Investments. He could be making a play to take over, sure, but no one wants to be the new captain of the Titanic. They need the cash infusion, and he doesn’t strike me as someone who’s interested in risking his own money. He has some tangled history with Mrs. Rosings, but then again, everyone in Marshall seems to have a tangled history with her.”

“On the plus side,” Nicole says, “Damien and I got you a five-pound chocolate kiss from Hershey Park. You’re welcome. And,yes, I may have eaten part of it, but I used a butter knife, so it’s completely sanitary. And I may carve a little more off on the way home, but that’s only because chocolate has sugar and caffeine in it. It’s a safety thing.”

“Good. Drive save, Nic,” Damien says.

“I’ll seeyoulater.” She winks at him, and he responds by clicking his teeth at the screen.

Damien pockets the phone again, then shifts slightly, his gaze catching mine. “It’ll work out fine, Rosie. It’s our job to make this okay for all of you, and we’re very good at what we do.”

I believe him, but feel like I’m on the Titanic, and in the back of my head, I can hear the orchestra begin to play one final tune.

Still, I’ve never been a quitter, and I won’t stop now.

“I’ll escort you to your brother’s house,” Damien says.

I don’t ask how he knows. He just spoke with Anthony. My brother doesn’t know we’re coming, but he’s asked enough times that it will probably be viewed as a delightful surprise. And as far as everything else goes…

I’ll tell Declan about the wedding after I make sure there’s going to be a wedding. Like I said, it’ll be Anthony’s choice, once he knows everything.

“Yes,” I tell Damien. “Joy will enjoy that very much. Make sure you don’t let her hide the mistletoe on her person. But we’re going to make a detour. I need to do some Christmas shopping. And then I have to go ask a friend for a favor.”

“Splendid,” Joy says, clapping her hands. “I’ll make all of us travel cups of tea.”

“Yes, nothing I enjoy more than last-minute shopping the day before Christmas Eve,” Damien says with a bemused smile. “Should we do some caroling while we’re at it?”

Joy pats his cheek and then stands. “Excellent idea, young man.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

ANTHONY

Conversation with Emma

I’m arriving today.

What type of booze should I bring?

Mother’s bar is never empty.

So we’re looking at a restock situation.

Can the prenup be your Christmas present? I’m going through some shit at work, and I haven’t had time for shopping.

Mother said you’ve found your stranger-wife?

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