Page 101 of Blood & Lace
“I’ll go,” I said without hearing the rest of the details. “What time?”
“Seven sharp. There might be a few new targets there. The biggest spenders are always the guiltiest, aren’t they?”
My hand clenched around the phone. I knew she didn’t mean that to be directed at me, but it felt like it. Adam flashed through my mind. I pitched forward, holding onto the desk with my left hand to keep myself steady against the onslaught of dizziness that had suddenly assaulted me.
“Oh God. Not like that,” she said quickly. “No one blames you, Onyx.”
Was that true? No. If it was, Adam would have taken me up on my offer to move in ages ago. I knew he was struggling where he was. That it was dangerous. But he refused to move in with me, instead living off a measly disability check. I paidfor everything else, secretly. He didn’t even know how much his rent really was. He paid it and then I paid the rest, a deal I had worked out with the super. And he pocketed a little extra for himself every month. Win-win.
“I know,” I said, soothing her worry. “It’s fine. Things have just been rough lately but… good in some ways too.”
I heard her smile through the phone. “Good. You deserve it.” She sighed. “I miss us hanging out.”
“Me too,” I whispered. “You have no idea.”
“Maybe when the job is done,” she said wistfully.
We both knew that would never happen. The world was full of scum. Rot. Perverts. Child abusers. They didn’t deserve a wink of sleep. And while I worked hard, they worked harder. I could only go so fast. But I played into the sentimentality because I wanted it too.
“Yeah.” I smiled. “Maybe.”
“I’m sending you the invite,” she said. “Seven sharp. It says you can bring a plus one. Maybe it’ll be a good date for you and the hubby.”
My stomach tightened. “Yeah,” I said. “I think that would be nice.”
“Good luck.”
“Thanks, babe,” I said.
When I hung up, I smiled. Taking Lucero anywhere would never be hard to do. He was always happy to be right on my heels. I left the office and went back into the main house. And there he was.
“I left you asleep,” I said.
“The minute you leave, I wake up.” He smiled. “It’s like I can feel you gone.”
My chest ached. “Fucking cringey.”
Lucero shrugged. “I know. I still love you.”
My face heated. I took the cup of tea he extended in his hands. The lemon ginger coated my tongue and throat. It felt good. A hint of sour, a bit sharp from the ginger, and sweet from honey. I stirred and took another sip.
“There’s a gala I want to go to tonight,” I said. “The proceeds go to victims of child abuse. It’s… important to me,” I said without revealing too much.
Lucero studied my face a little too closely. For someone who pretended he couldn’t hear on a good day, he had genuine moments of looking as if he could see into your soul. He nodded finally.
“What time will you be back?”
My chest ached. “Actually, will you go with me? It might be nice to have some company.”
Lucero had turned back to the stove. I saw the rigid set of his shoulders, the way he locked up. And then, slowly, he turned around and stared at me.
“Really?”
I laughed lightly. “Just don’t wear your ring. I’m supposed to be undercover, remember?” I said. “We can put them back on as soon as we leave. And if you find me a target?” I grinned. “I’ll let you take control for one night.”
Lucero stumbled back against the cabinets. His hand went to his chest, and I saw his shaking.
“Seriously?”
