Page 128 of Play Fast (Brooklyn Dawn 2)

“Oz. The door.”

I was halfway to sleep. Warm, sated, happier than I had any right to be. “I locked it before.”

“Not that. Someone’s at it.”

Dimly, I heard a knock. Short, staccato. It reminded me of—

“Oh, fuck. I forgot.” I sat up straight in bed, nearly knocking her off me. She squeaked and flailed, trying to keep from tumbling to the floor.

“What the hell, Oz?”

“Sorry, sorry.” I grasped her arm and righted her on top of me. “You have to get dressed and get that.”

“I do? Why?” She looked around frantically. “Where are my panties?”

A little sheepishly, I pointed upward to where they were hanging from the ceiling fan. “I’ll just get those for you.”

She giggled. “Nice aim.”

Two minutes later, the relentless pounding on the door had not stopped, and we were both a semblance of dressed, me sans shirt. Daisy shot me a look over her shoulder before she threw open the door and let out a gasp.

Whether it was from the giant bouquet of pink tulips or the fact that Chuckles was holding them, looking as if he was hoping to be taken down by enemy fire, I could

not say.

“Surprise.” His tone could not have been any flatter.

“Oh!” She grabbed the vase from Noah and buried her face in the dozens of flowers. “Hey, look, more pink.” She grinned at me from between the flowers, and I probably could have fallen in love with her again, right there.

I shrugged, feeling stupidly pleased with myself. “I’ve heard girls like it.”

“We do. We also love lace and dolls and women’s—”

“Crafts stores,” I finished for her. “Have your fun, Flannigan.”

“There’s this too.” Noah produced a flat square jeweler’s box from inside his jacket and handed it to Daisy, who nearly dropped the vase in her haste to accept it. “Have a good night, kids.” He pointed at me. “You better remember what I said.”

Then he was gone.

“Thanks. Bye, Noah!” Daisy set down the vase and ripped the top off the box. “What did he say?”

“All manner of threats. Good thing I have a bodyguard.”

Daisy sucked in a breath as she peeled back the tissue. “Oh my God.” Her hand went to her mouth before she withdrew the arrowhead carefully from its cushioned rest. “You—oh, it’s so beautiful.” Her eyes filled and she bit her lip as she traced the new stone, laid where the turquoise had once been. “Rose quartz.”

“You know stones?” My voice came out thick. “It’s for love.”

“Yes. Pleasure.” A tear dripped off her chin as she drew the newly improved arrowhead necklace out of the tissue paper. “Is this silver?”

“White gold. The chain too.” Swallowing hard, I turned it over to show her the back.

The simple childish heart there, a sketch of the one Kerry had done.

2005.

“When we started,” I said in case she didn’t get it. “But it was before then, wasn’t it?”

“Yes.” Her eyes met mine as she lifted up her hair with one hand. “Put it on me. Please.”

---