Page 39 of Mocha Kisses

“Yeah, they’ve got their fingers real deep in this. They’re the only ones who still use blood thumbprints for their contracts. Why are you asking? You know I don’t like them.” The man shifts on his feet, avoiding my gaze. He’s a few years younger than me, closer to Rome’s age but anyone would think he’s got five years on me. Wrinkles and gray hair take away from his youth, dull brown eyes trying to hide the fear in his expression. “Look, I don’t know what you’ve got going on but don’t involve me. Hell, I just finished paying off my sister’s loan to them.”

I know as much. That’s why I called Davis. He’s the closest contact I have to anyone who works there without actually calling up the agency and asking to speak to someone. While I could do that, that would alert them that I know something and I’m trying to give Luna somewhere to call home. “So, you paid it off? Last time we talked, you had half a million in debt left and no job. How did you pull that out of your ass?” I stand up, rounding the desk, my questions quickly becoming an interrogation.

Davis isn’t the smartest man and there’s no doubt in my mind that he traded something rather valuable to pay off the debt. He throws his hands up. “Quit trying to terrify me. It’s fucking working, okay? They called me with a deal. Said that if I agreed to work for them, that the debt would be forgiven.”

So, Davis really and truly is an idiot. “What are they making you do? Oh, don’t hold out on me Davis. I’ll leave you out of what I’m doing but I need to know.”

“Just giving them some details about some of their other loans, is all. Nova, you know I’m good with a computer, tracking expenses, and things is pretty easy for me. It’s only a few weeks worth and then-”

I cut him off. “They forgave your debt for a few weeks of work? Davis, be real with me.”

He swallows nervously and backs up, looking around. “Just until I find someone. A girl. Okay? I have to go. If they find me in here, they might think we’re working together and they don’t really like you any more than I like them.” Davis scrambles out the front door leaving me both confused and pissed the fuck off. Davis traded in his debt for more eyes on Luna, I’m sure of that much. The fact that he doesn’t live in Spring Haven and hasn’t seen her yet doesn’t give me as much relief as I thought it would.

This also means that there’s a possibility that more people than just Davis have been forgiven their debts to find Luna. The question iswhy. I return to my desk, gaze falling on the business card Davis threw at me when I asked.Paula Agency has upgraded their graphics.That doesn’t sit well with me as I begin to inspect the card, flipping it over and realizing that it’s not their card.

Whoever contacted Davis isn’t from the agency and for some reason is refocusing everyone’s attention on Luna.

Fuck.

I redial the second number in my history, not waiting for him to say hello after he picks up. “We have a problem.”

Rome mumbles something, most likely to a guest in the café, and then sighs. “Of course we do. There’s a scared woman in our house and we don’t have any answers.”

“Well, I have a few more nonanswers. Someone diverted Davis’ debt so that he could find Luna.” I look around the office before walking out the door and heading for our apartment. With both Griffin and Luna there, I’ll feel safer inside than I will halfway down the block.

“What the fuck are you talking about? Someone’s paying debts in exchange for a little investigation?”

“I think so and if that’s the case, there’s a few people in this race that have a lot more at stake than just their job.” Davis has no qualms about handing information over to Paula’s Agency—or at least who he thinks is the agency—in exchange for not having to work so hard. I pick up my pace and walk a little faster, neglecting the few other meetings that I have this afternoon. They can wait.

“Where are you off to in a rush?”

“I need to see them, Rome.”

“That’s why we havesecurity.”

“Not the same,” I growl out, anxiety getting the better of me as the apartment comes into view. I hang up on Rome and burst through the doors, worried when I don’t see them in the main office area. Taking the steps by two, I throw open the door, my heart leaping into my throat when they’re both right there, standing awkwardly there at my frantic arrival. I don’t care what it looks like but seeing them here, in one piece, iseverything.

I close the distance and pull Luna into my chest, the sudden movement rewarding me with a surprised gasp. She takes a few moments to relax before her arms wrap around my waist. The fresh scent of lemon that comes from her wet hair makes me smile as I rest my nose along the top of her head.

“Nova? What’s going on?” Griffin asks, looking at our embrace, his eyes wide with concern. He steps up closer, casing Luna between us as his arms wrap around the both of us. “Nova, talk to us.”

“Just needed to see you,” I choke out. Griffin has never seen me lose my cool before but a few moments with Luna in our lives and all of that perfectly crafted poise is thrown out the window. However, I know that won’t fly for either of them. “Just more nonanswers but they aren’t good.” Luna pulls away slightly, resting her chin on my chest so she can meet my eyes. She’s waiting for the facts, both hopeful and ready for disappointment. “Paula’s Agency has their fingers in a few more pots than they usually do. Whatever loan your father pulled out must have really hurt.” That’s all I’m comfortable telling her right now.

“So, I’m in danger. That’s nothing different.”

And it’s not. It’s just getting worse.

“No, angel. It really isn’t.” My heart has stopped beating as fast and the slight panic is gone but I don’t want to let go of Luna just yet. I can feel every one of her beautiful curves pressed up against mine and she looks at me with intrigue and desire. Griffin sets his chin on her shoulder, giving me a small smile to let me know that everything is okay. “What were you doing? Why did you take a shower in the middle of the day?”

Luna immediately wriggles out from between us, sucking in her bottom lip as if I’ll disapprove of what she has to say. “Griffin fucked me against the wall. We were kind of sweaty and now we’re… going to pick up a few essentials.” Her cheeks are bright red by the end of her sentence but I feel like I’ve missed something.

“Fin, care to clue me in?”

A wild smile spread across my lover’s lips as his gray eyes brighten. “I told Luna that dresses were easier access and complained because she used to wear them all the time.”

Ah.Luna has twisted away from us but that scarlet shade of blush coating her skin is slowly spreading down her neck. Knowing that they had fucked in the kitchen where any of us could have walked in has me clearing my throat and reaching down to adjust myself. Griffin looks like a kid in a candy shop as he bites his bottom lip, that wild smile taking over his entire face.

“Will you at least wait a few moments and take Rome with you? It would make me feel a little better just in case something happens.”

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