Page 14 of Six
“Yes, but before I do,” Six said, deciding not to react to her friends’ subtle provocation, “does Joe have any updates on the two people in the car from last night?” she asked Cyn.
Cyn shook her head. “Not yet. He said he’d text us all when he had something.”
“Still no ID?” Six asked. It was unusual that twenty-four hours after an accident they wouldn’t have at least a fingerprint ID yet.
Cyn made a face. “One of them didn’t have fingerprints. Or rather he did, but he’d scarred his fingers enough that he’s unidentifiable. Although with such unusual prints, the police were able to tie him to a couple of arsons in Miami from a few years ago. They just don’t know who he is.”
“What about the other?” Devil asked.
“As of this morning, they were running them both through the system, but I know nothing more than that,” Cyn answered.
“You’ll keep me posted?” Six asked as Cyn rose from the seat.
“Of course,” she said. “And you’ll do the same?” It came as no surprise that her friends would want to know everything about her dinner with Gavin tonight. They were her friends, so their interest was expected, but Six knew that despite all their teasing about her and Gavin, his presence in her life meant a change to theirs as well. He was one more person in a small but growing number of people who knew who they were and what they did. The role he was sent to play didn’t just affect her, and she owed it to them to keep them informed. Not that she wouldn’t have anyway.
“I’ll call you all when I get home,” Six confirmed.
The four of them exited her office and headed toward the door. “I know this sounds unlikely, but you might want to try to enjoy yourself tonight,” Cyn said. “As you said, the situation is what it is. If Franklin thinks he’s someone we need in our lives, maybe we should give him a chance.”
Six appreciated how Cyn had made Gavin’s entrance into their lives about the group, rather than just her, and her observation was logical and sound. But Six was still going to withhold judgment until she had a better sense of what Gavin Cooper’s orders were regarding his duty to her and her friends.
“At the very least, you’ll have something pretty to look at while you eat,” Devil added with a grin.
Six rolled her eyes and shook her head. “Out, all of you. I need to throw on some makeup and finish with my hair. I’m not sure if he’ll prove to be an ally or not, but either way, I’m going dressed for battle.”
“And by battle, I assume you mean killer clothes, hot lingerie, and perfect hair and makeup?” Nora said with a smile.
Six grinned as she opened the door. There were all sorts of armor and weaponry a person could carry, and confidence was one of the most powerful. She didn’t need the right clothes or hair to be confident, but they for damn sure didn’t hurt.
Chapter Eight
Gavin waitedat the entrance to the restaurant and watched the townsfolk go about their evening business. Cos Cob was a picturesque seaside village that, on the weekends, filled with people from the city wanting to breathe the fresher air. But on the weekdays, and especially during this time of year, it was primarily a place for the locals, of which there were only about two thousand.
It was a far cry from the industrial city in northern England where he’d grown up. Small boutiques lined the few commercial blocks of Main Street, and interspersed were useful shops, such as a pharmacy, a co-op, and a bookstore, as well as several well-rated restaurants. Including the one he was currently standing in front of—an upscale pub with a very Irish name, but a very Parisian patio for outdoor dining.
He glanced over at the outdoor tables; three couples and a family were enjoying themselves. If the conversation he and Violetta needed to have wasn’t so sensitive, it would be a nice place to enjoy their meal. But of course, their meeting tonight wasn’t about the meal.
He looked up when he heard the distinct sound of her car. It was an eerily quiet SUV and what little noise it did make, it seemed to do so hesitantly, as if apologizing for the racket. He smiled as she whipped into a spot across the street, and he wasn’t going to lie to himself, his heart rate kicked up in anticipation.
He’d seen her in suits, and once she’d stopped by the office in her gym clothes after running some 10K charity race. He’d even seen her in all sorts of other outfits when she hadn’t known he was watching out for her. But he looked forward to seeing what she’d wear when she came to meet him. Would she dress up or down? Casual or businesslike?
Him? Well, he’d decided to start as he meant to go on. Outside of work, he had no intention of ever wearing a suit, so he’d donned a pair of jeans, an off-white button-down, and a pair of black shoes. Eventually, he planned to ditch the button-down for a T-shirt, but he still had some winning over to do before he becametoofamiliar. Not that she had a choice in working with him, but still, he’d much rather she agree to it willingly than because she’d been ordered to.
His breath caught in his throat when she slid from her car. Wearing a pair of jeans that fit her like a glove, heeled sandals, and a silk top that matched the color of her cognac-colored eyes, she was stunning. He’d been attracted to any number of women in his forty years, but he’d never had the kind of physical—almost uncontrollable—response to a woman as he had to Violetta Salvitto. From day one, there’d been chemistry between them. But his reaction to her had only grown stronger and more intense over time. Now, how she looked and carried herself was only a portion—and not even close to the biggest portion—of his attraction.
She caught his eye as she stood on the other side of the street waiting for a few cars to pass. She didn’t offer a smile or a wave, but at least she looked relaxed. Well, more accurately, she didn’t look as though she was coming to do him murder.
She glanced left and when the cars cleared, her long strides brought her to his side of the street. When she stopped in front of him, he considered leaning forward and brushing a kiss against her cheek in the European style. But pushing any familiarity on her would get him nowhere and he needed, wanted, to earn her trust. So instead, he opted for a simple nod and a smile.
“Thank you for coming tonight,” he said.
He didn’t miss the way her eyes swept over him before meeting his again. “Shall we?” she asked. She had her hair tied back in a loose bun, and as she gestured with her head to the door of the pub, a long strand escaped.
He nodded, then shoved one hand in his pocket and opened the door with his other. Not two seconds after the door closed behind them, an older man came forward, his hands outstretched and a big smile on his face.
“Vi, I heard you were coming. It’s been too long,” he said.
Gavin’s eyes narrowed as the two brushed cheeks.
