Straight Flushed (Hot Pursuit #1)(7)

“Sounds like it was an impossible situation though.”

“To say it was impossible is an understatement. He had a newborn son and a wife that he left behind. Fortunately, they didn’t blame me and we grew very close over the years. My wife practically moved in with them after the accident to help them make it through.”

“What’s got you thinking about him so much lately then?”

He sighed. “I stumbled upon something odd recently at the bank. I’m not entirely sure what it means, but I think someone is getting their hands dirty. Even though it would probably be easier to ignore it, I’m not so sure I can turn a blind eye, even given my previous experience.”

I wanted to ask more, but stopped when Vance’s heavy steps entered the room.

“Everything is all clear outside, sir,” Vance said.

“Hey, DeLuca,” Avery stood upright, changing his demeanor. “Your partner and I were having some cake. Care to join us?” Vance glared at me and Avery saw it. “I insisted Diana join me. I have plenty of cake if you’d like some.”

“No, thank you, sir. We should let you get on with your evening.”

“Come try this,” I said motioning Vance over with a flick of my head.

Reluctantly, he walked over and sat on the stool next to me. I loaded a bite onto my fork and thought twice about putting it in my mouth. If I ate anymore I’d hit a level of nausea that would last for the rest of the evening, so I offered the rest of my slice to Vance.

“Please, I’ll get him his own,” Avery said.

Vance held up his hand. “I’ve known this girl so long and have eaten so many of her leftovers, it doesn’t faze me anymore. Thank you, sir. This will suit me just fine.”

Vance finished my cake, and we went over the plan for the next day with Avery. We were going to be on his service for the rest of the week. We stood outside his front door in the warm August air and listened as he set his security system.

As we drove down his street, the headlights of a large vehicle behind us reflected off my side mirror and momentarily blinded me. It pulled over to the side of the road opposite Avery’s gate and parked, extinguishing the lights. Our overnight crew had arrived to keep watch over Avery. Knowing my new friend had some night protection set my mind at ease given how distraught he’d seemed.

“How the hell did you end up eating cake in Avery Quinn’s kitchen?” Vance asked once we were down the road a little ways.

“He came into the room and we got to talking. I was stressing about what happened today in the park.”

“The ‘what ifs’?” he said with a slight air of irritation.

“Duh. If things had gone wrong today, we’d be out of our jobs.”

“But nothing did go wrong, Di. And no, we wouldn’t be out of our jobs. You need to remind yourself that sometimes we have to do what our clients want. We have rules, but we’re working for them. Sometimes we have to bend them to accommodate. Don’t beat yourself up too much. We both weighed the danger of the situation. It’s not like he’s being hunted by the mafia. He’s a big wig at a bank.” He gave my shoulder a good shove. “You need to break the rules a little bit every now and then. I think it would do you some good.”

“I did break the rules today and I don’t like the way it feels, but whatever.” I chuckled. “It’s over anyway.”

“You want to go to Irene’s and grab a drink and unwind a little before I drop you off at home?”

I would have loved to but I had plans. “Can’t tonight. Gabe’s waiting for me. I told him I’d come over when we were finished. Mind dropping me there?”

He was silent for a beat, and I glanced over at him. His jaw was tensed, and he stared straight out on the road then nodded. “I don’t get what you see in that guy.”

“I see everything, and he loves me. I don’t know why you always have such a problem with him.”

“Didn’t you guys just have some huge blow out? I thought you were on the outs the way you were talking about him last week.”

“We had a fight, Vance. Every relationship has them. I was mad, that’s all.”

He grunted. “He’s a waste of your time, but what do I know.”

I rolled my eyes. “Oh, would you stop? Will you drop me there and pick me up in the morning, or do I have to go home and get my car?”

“Sure, I’ll drop you off,” he said with a hint of disapproval in his voice.

When he pulled into Gabe’s driveway, I got out of the car, but before I shut the door, I leaned back in. “Hey,” I said. “You okay?”

He turned to me and smiled. “I’m fine.”

“All right, have fun tonight. Don’t stay out too late. I’ll see you bright and early.”





Three



I put my key in the lock and walked in Gabe’s house.

“Hey, baby!” Gabe called from somewhere deep inside as soon as the door closed. “How was your night?”

He met me in the foyer, greeting me with his signature look—a perfectly dimpled smile and bright, hazel eyes lit from within by a golden glow. No matter if I was dressed for work or rolling out of bed, he looked at me like a child seeing a rainbow for the first time. I’d never tire of it.