Page 71 of Garrison's Creed

“Or is it you and Cash?” Nic pushed back. This was why Cash wanted to be here. Chick fight and dirt digging.

The plastic smile on Sugar’s face softened a flicker, then went back to its tough girl routine. “You’re still going to call ATF, aren’t you?”

“I might.”

Sugar cracked her gum again. “Why wouldn’t you?”

“I’m not sure if it’s in my best interest yet.”

Sugar didn’t look convinced. “Well, it’s definitely not in mine.”

Nicola eyed Sugar, for the moment, restraining the urge to slap the lipstick off her face. “So we’ve got something in common.”

“You mean besides banging Cash?”

And, back to her casino-worthy poker face. She would’ve smacked Sugar if there was anything to be gained by it. Nic felt Sugar analyze her reaction for a lightning strike of jealousy and knew she’d given nothing up.Thank you, CIA.

“What’s the deal with you two anyway? Last name’s Garrison. You were married? He doesn’t seem like the type.”

“No, he doesn’t.”

“Not going to explain anything?” Sugar asked.

“We’re old news.” Nicola shrugged through her lie.

“Not according to that I’m-dreaming-of-lights-out look he gave you. Anyway. You left this in my office.” Sugar held out the listening device. Odd that she could pick it out. It looked like any other tube of Clinique gloss. It was also more than noteworthy that she transitioned from Cash without batting a false eyelash.

“You don’t care about Cash and me?” Nic asked.

“Not really. Cash and I were just fun. Nothing special. But I did like trying to make you squirm.”

“You certainly made him.”

“Fun, right? I like fucking with him. Keeps his boots on the ground. He’s a cool dude. I didn’t pick him for a one-gal kinda man, but what do I know?” Sugar cracked her gum again. Annoying habit. “Back to your super not-so-secret bug. Spill it, and I might give you something on the ammo.”

“It was the best I could do when you stonewalled me. I hadn’t planned to be here anyway.”

“And?” Sugar raised a perfectly plucked eyebrow.

“And?” Well, shit. She had to give Sugar something, or this was pointless. “And I’m tracking Antilla Smooth. Cash isn’t necessarily thrilled that I’m on the hunt. He’d rather handle it for me.” Word hadn’t hit the street yet that Smooth was six feet under with a clean shot above his nose.

“Macho prick.” Sugar smiled.

Nicola laughed. “Indeed.”

“Good in bed though.”

No, she didn’t.“And back to Cash. You sure it’s all, ‘I’m cool, he’s cool, we were just having fun’?”

Sugar studied her. “You play by some kind of rule book? Don’t kiss and tell? Don’t leave home without a bug?”

As a matter of fact, nope.She was flying by the seat of her Seven jeans.“Maybe it’s more a matter of decorum.”

“Well, decorum this: that man is good with his hands. And his—”

“Sugar!”

Sugar shrugged, laughing. She extended the lip gloss tube. “You’re cool, Nicola Garrison. This shit’s expensive. You can have it back. I like the ballsy move, and I hate getting messed with. If I sold Smooth ammo, and it sounds like I might’ve, let’s just say, I believe in retribution.”

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