Page 140 of Desperate Actions

Most of the girls had left earlier in the night, but Andrea is the last hold out.

At first, I thought she was just reluctant to leave. But now, as she sits on the couch across from me, fidgeting with the hem of her sweater, I realize there’s something on her mind.

I don’t press.

I won’t press.

But she’s not fooling me either.

“Did you want to stay over?” I ask instead, stretching my legs out on the ottoman.

My body aches with exhaustion, but it’s the good kind. The kind that settles in after a night filled with laughter and warmth.

Andrea stretches, rolling her shoulders before shaking her head.

“Nah, I’m gonna head home.” Then she glances at the mess we made, abandoned plates and empty takeout containers scattered over the coffee table. “Want help with all this?”

I smile. “I’ll clean tomorrow.”

Still, I gather a few dishes and follow her to the kitchen, setting them down on the counter.

“I should let security know you’re leaving.” I pad over to the wall intercom, pressing the button.

A crisp, professional male voice answers almost immediately.

“Can I help you, Mrs. Ramirez?”

Andrea snorts beside me, barely containing her laughter as I pass along the message.

When I turn, she’s grinning, arms crossed.

“Yes, um, Miss Ramirez is leaving so be sure to open the gates for her.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Oh my God. You’re younger than I am, and they call you ma’am?”

I laugh, shaking my head. “I know, right? The first day, I told Santos to call me Aella. Figured there was no need for all that formality.” I pause. “But Sammy intervened.”

Andrea quirks a brow. “And you let him get away with that?”

I should have fought harder. I should have insisted on something less official.

But the way Sammy said it? The way his voice dropped, laced with something dark and possessive when he corrected them?

God help me. It was hot.

Andrea just shakes her head, laughing softly. Then her expression changes.

The amusement fades, and something else takes its place—something heavier.

She hesitates, exhaling slowly.

“Look, I just wanted to say I’m glad you and Sammy are together.”

A pause.

“But?”

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