Page 53 of Highball and Chain

Enzo

The plane had landedin New Orleans a half-hour earlier, but I couldn’t bring myself to wake Shanna. We’d talked and laughed and made out like a couple of teenagers for the first half of the flight. She’d fallen asleep in the middle of a conversation, but I didn’t mind. Holding her in the quiet cabin felt special. Different. More intimate than any sexual experience.

I brushed her hair back and kissed her forehead.

Shanna opened her eyes and jerked upright. “Holy hell, you scared the crap out of me. Were you watching me sleep?”

“No.” I turned my head to hide my grin.

She ran her fingers through her bed-rumpled hair. “Are we there yet?”

“We landed thirty-minutes ago.”

“Why didn’t you wake me?” She glanced around, presumably for her clothes.

“You were out. I didn’t want to disturb you until our car arrived.” I stood and handed her a robe. “I put your jeans and top in with my dirty laundry. Your carry-on is in the bathroom. Do you need the larger suitcase?”

“I have a change of clothes in the small bag.” Shanna yawned and flashed me a bright smile. “Is this what it’s going to be like staying with you? Having you wait on me hand and foot?”

My first instinct was to bristle, but it dawned on me I enjoyed taking care of her. “Are you complaining?”

“Nope. It’s just surprising. You don’t strike me as the roses and chocolates kind of guy.”

“I’m not.” Maybe you bring it out in me.

“I think I like your nice-guy side.” She stood and slid into the robe.

“Don’t let the bossy, arrogant prick side hear you say that.” It seemed like a shame to cover her gorgeous body with yards of terrycloth, but the sooner I got her off the plane, the sooner I could get her undressed again.

Maybe next time, we’ll get past third base.

She laughed and wandered into the bathroom. A split-second later, she poked her head out. “Where are Jessie and Dahlia?”

“They left shortly after we landed.”

“By themselves?”

I could practically hear the gears turning in her head. “Gabe arranged for Jessie to have security for the foreseeable future. She’s running his bar.”

“And Dahlia?” Her voice thinned.

“Said she didn’t need it. She’s headed to her parents’ house in Baton Rouge.” I doubted anyone would bother her, but I would have rather she be safe than attending her funeral. “I disagreed, but Leo said to let her go.”

Shanna gave me an odd look. “You know her father is the governor, right?”

The news hit me like a gut punch. I most certainly did not know. Why didn’t Leo tell me that when I called? “No, but it explains a lot.”

“Give me five.” She ducked back into the bathroom.

“Take your time. I’ll be in the main cabin.” I pulled my cell from my pocket and called Gabe.

“Are you at the house?” Between his lack of greeting and clipped tone, I assumed his day hadn’t gone well.

“We’re leaving soon. Any word from Palermo?”

Gabe took so long to reply, I pulled the phone from my ear to check the connection.

“You could say that.” He sucked in a breath. “The Lazios deny any involvement with the incidents in the old city and the church…and came back with a couple of demands.”

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