Page 7 of Queen of Blades

“What is wrong with you?” Remi asked after the bar worker left their table.

“Good evening, Harper.” His deep baritone was smooth as silk. It sent chills through her body despite the temperature of the tavern increasing by twenty degrees.

Paul Ricci, in all his glory, was in her presence again. Last time they’d been together, it was explosive. Hopefully, she’d be able to control herself this time, but she doubted it.

4

Paul

AsHarperslowlyturnedtoward Paul, he couldn’t help but grin in the face of her total and complete shock. Her deep brown eyes were wide, her cheeks tinged a shade of pink. Absolutely gorgeous.

She stuttered. The shock slipped away to a massive smile on her face as she stood. “Paul!” She opened her arms, inviting him in for a hug. “Oh my God. It’s been ages.”

Dipping his chin, he accepted her embrace and enveloped her in warm affection.

After a gentle squeeze, she stepped back.

He ran his fingers along his chin, and his gaze drifted down when something shiny caught his attention.

Now it was his turn to be surprised.

Around her neck, a chunky gold chain toggle necklace hung loosely. Immediately, his eyes went farther south, and he was hit with a double whammy. Adorning her wrist was the matching bracelet.

Holy fucking shit. She still had it.

Not only had she kept it, but she actively wore it! It wasn’t even dulled. She took care of it.

The simple little gift he’d given her, a small gesture to congratulate her on passing her LSATs, and she’d held on to it. His chest tightened. He moistened his bottom lip and forced his attention back to her eyes. He needed to regain his composure and remember his purpose.

“I didn’t mean to interrupt,” he said.

Returning to her seat, she scooted over. “Shut the hell up,” she snickered. “Join us. Have you met my sister, Remi?”

The elation fluttering through him at the invitation was completely unnecessary. They had been friends for a few short months years ago. Yes, they had a brief little tryst, for which he suffered the consequences. He had no business being so excited about joining her for drinks. Especially consideringwhyhe was here.

Either way, he took a seat and glanced toward the woman opposite him with the spiky brown hair, brown eyes, and glasses, wearing a red collared polo shirt and an intrigued expression.

“I do not believe I’ve had the pleasure,” he said.

For half a second, Remi narrowed her eyes.

“Remi, this is Paul,” Harper continued her introductions as she patted his forearm with familiarity. “We worked together ages ago when Dad forced me—”

“Where?” Remi asked before she sipped at her beer.

Sighing, Harper sat back but kept contact with him.

His skin heated under her touch. Why did she still have that effect on him?

“This rinky-dink laundromat. It wasn’t for very long.” She waved a hand dismissively.

“There were complications,” Paul added. His shoulder twinged at the memory of getting shot by Harper’s ex-boyfriend and recent client.

In his brief research, he’d surmised that the two of them weren’t currently romantically linked. Which begged the question of why she defended him in court. What hold did he still have on her?

“Hmm,” Remi said. “I don’t remember that at all.”

The skepticism in her tone bristled over Paul’s skin. Keeping a neutral and friendly expression, he held her gaze. Not to challenge her but to reassure her he was harmless.

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