Page 65 of Highball and Chain

Shanna

I woke naked,alone, and hungover. Nothing gave me a headache like wine. I groaned and pulled the pillow over my head, but my bladder revolted.

Sitting made the room spin. I eased my way to the edge of the bed and stared down at my thighs. A dark purple and red hickey stared back.

“Lovely.” I made it to the bathroom before memories of the night before flashed through my mind.

Oh shit. I passed out on him. I didn’t know whether to smile or cringe. I did both.

Prior to my wine-induced coma, Enzo had surprised me. He’d blown my socks off the night of the gala, but that thing he’d done with the wine was… “Damn.”

I stepped into the shower and washed the salt out of my hair. The steam helped clear the fog from my brain. I would never call fooling around with Enzo a mistake, but I knew better than to believe in happily-ever-afters. Our relationship couldn’t go anywhere, not with his indecision about the mafia, and not until Evelyn dropped dead. Even then, her ghost would haunt us. I could picture her rattling chains and moaning the rosary every time we had sex.

A day or two and I’ll be back to my normal life.What’s wrong with a couple nights of mind-blowing sex in a gorgeous house with a gorgeous man? I towel dried my hair and slipped into a skimpy sun dress, sans panties. Come hell or high water, today would be the day the foreplay ended and the banging began. Unless I fell asleep on him again.

Midway down the stairs, I stopped and tightened my grip on the banister. One look at Enzo and Hildie’s worried expressions and my pulse raced.

He waited until I reached the first floor before drawing me into an embrace.

“What happened? What’s wrong? Maggie and Gabe? Is everyone all right?” I pulled back, but he avoided my gaze.

“Everyone’s fine, Shanna.” His frown deepened.

“Tell me.” My alcohol-shrunken brain played through every horrific scenario imaginable.

“I answered your phone this morning.”

“You what?” I never pegged him for the kind of man who’d invade my privacy, but I had the feeling I had bigger problems.

“It rang several times from the same number.”

“And?”

“It was your neighbor. Your building was set on fire. Your apartment and the shop below were destroyed.”

“Mr. Boogerre!” My knees threatened to buckle, but he caught me before I hit the floor.

“What? No, her name was Anne Dixon.” Enzo furrowed his brow and glanced at Hildie.

The older woman cocked her head. “Who is Mr. Boogerre?”

“My cat. Did Anne mention my cat?”

She glanced at Enzo as if he’d know, or maybe her wide-eyed stare was a cry for help.

He shook his head. “No, but cats are intelligent. I’m sure he got out.”

“Not him, he’s not very smart, and he’s too fat to fit through small places.” I bent at the waist and focused on my breathing. In…out…in…out.

He rested his hand between my shoulder blades. “Let’s call her.”

“No. Screw that. I need to go over there.” I stood so abruptly the back of my head collided with his jaw.

Rubbing his face, Enzo said, “You can’t.”

“What do you mean I can’t?”

Hildie moved to my side. “Shanna, I know this is difficult, but it’s better if you stay inside the house for the time being. Why don’t we call Ms. Dixon and have her look for him?”

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