Page 23 of Diamonds & Deception

I hit send and go take a hot shower. My limbs are Jell-O, surely a combination from dancing in heels and the things Drake did to my body. When I’m cleaned and scrubbed, I dress in a loose T-shirt and leggings and crawl into bed. I didn’t get much sleep last night and fled the casino at the ass crack of dawn.

I plug my phone into the charger and see two more missed texts. Both from Drake.

Drake: Putting in extra hours this weekend to make up for time... away last night. I’m all yours on Monday.

He sent a second message right after.

Drake: Or rather, you’re mine.

Well, shit, this doesn’t help my heart or my head any. How the hell am I supposed to not fall for him when he sends me cute messages like this?

I somehow fall asleep, and when I wake, I’m refreshed and back on my mission to find Carly’s killer. On a whim, I text Avery and ask if she wants to meet atThe Localfor drinks and appetizers.

Jessie and Amber are heading back home today, and she agrees to meet at seven. I’m hoping to use her to get Owen to talk to us, and then I can ask him about his relationship with Drake. If he recognizes me as Carly’s sister, then I no longer have to walk the tightrope of deception, although I’ll miss the sex with Drake. And the chance of getting into his penthouse. The likelihood of me stumbling across a file on his nightstand that has all the information I need is slim to none. I’m more likely to get information from Carly’s boyfriend.

I have no idea what to say, or how to say it. I’ve found that pre-planned conversations never go the way I want, so I talk myself into winging it. Dressed in jeans and a cute top, I take an Uber to the bar, and am pleased to see Avery already there, talking with Owen at a table.

When he sees me, he smiles and leans in for a hug. I freeze, worried he recognizes me as Carly’s sister.

“I’m so glad you guys came back without Trey and Drake. You’ll bring in a bigger crowd for me without them lurking.”

Avery laughs, and I can’t tell if she’s flirting with Owen or if it’s just her natural way. I relax and let the two of them lead the conversation.

“You’re too cute. I wish my girlfriends didn’t have to head home, or I’d have them here as well. Have you thought about having a ladies’ night? Those tend to do well, I hear.”

“I hadn’t until a few days ago. Mind if I pick your brains sometime for ideas on how to draw in the kind of crowd I want?”

“What kind of crowd is that, and whodon’tyou want to attract?” I ask.

He’s part of the Irish crime family. What kind of riffraff could he possibly be talking about?

“Drunk desperate girls. I want to keep the bar fun but also respectable. Drake’s advice since—” He cuts himself off, and I take it as my opening.

“Drake helped you set up the place?”

“Yeah. He’s a wiz with numbers. I don’t think I would have gotten the loans and interest rates, or even half the vendors I have without his connections and his business plan.”

“Your boyfriend is not only sexy but smart as well?” Avery says. “You struck gold, girlfriend.”

“He’s not my boyfriend.” I soften my tone, reminding myself I’m trying to work into everyone’s good graces and not push them away. “I guess if he can open a casino in Boston at thirty, helping you with a bar shouldn’t be that much of a challenge. Do you have bad credit or something?” I add a laugh for good measure.

“Something like that.” Owen glances over at his crowded bar. “I gotta help pour some drinks. Don’t forget, I still owe Drake free drinks for a few more days. Don’t be afraid to cash in. Have a good time, ladies.”

When he leaves, Avery fans herself. “Boston is so freaking sexy.”

The conversation with Owen gets me nowhere, and neither does the rest of the night with Avery. I still have a good time and find myself enjoying her company. I still need more information.

I sense there’s more to Drake helping him than what Owen said but he’s not going to spill all his dirty secrets tonight. If Owen is a dead end, maybe Trey will be the answer.

“How long have your brother and Drake been friends?”

“I think they met a couple of years ago down in New Orleans. I’d heard about Drake, but I was so swamped with classes and my internship that I didn’t get to visit my brother much.”

“I’ve only gone out with Drake a few times. Have any intel on him?” I tease. “Has Trey ever mentioned, I don’t know, any red flags I should be aware of?”

Avery finishes her vodka tonic and tips her head back and laughs. “Um. The exact opposite. Trey doesn’t say much, but anytime he’s mentioned Drake, it’s been with pure fandom. He idolizes your boyfriend.”

I ignore the boyfriend comment. “Really? Why? I mean, it can’t be because of his sensual chocolate eyes or his hot body.”

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