Truth About Tequila (Surviving Absolution #3) Read online

  A sharp cry shrieks across the expansive space. “Spencer! No!”

  A teenage girl chases after a young boy, his intent clear as he dashes straight to the dessert table a few yards from the patio entrance. Her face flushes as she runs, an infant bouncing on her hip while another toddler drags behind her. “Spencer! Stop!”

  Carrie gasps and her body twists to look across the tables behind them. “Shae.”

  Gina follows her gaze. Even with Shae’s back to the commotion, the impact of the screams on her is obvious. The water glass in her trembling hand drops to the table, ice cubes tumbling through the orange tinged liquid across the jacquard finished table cloth.

  “Shit!”

  Before either of them can move, Max flies toward Shae. An elderly woman shuffles behind her, leaning heavily on her cane, an obstacle in Max’s path. He smoothly bypasses her without her even realizing it, and reaches Shae, his hand curling around her shoulders.

  Gina’s stomach twists. Max takes care of Shae. His job. Yet, it doesn’t erase the hurt burning in her chest at the pain creasing his face. Of seeing Shae in distress at the reminder of everything she’s been through. Or, make her not be a horrible witch for being jealous of this sweet woman trying to recover from being thrust so viciously into the only world Gina’s ever known.

  She swallows down the guilt and looks back at the kids, catching the girl’s attention. “Looks like you’ve got your hands full.”

  “I’m so sorry. We didn’t mean to interrupt your party.” She nods, her eyes shiny with tears. “He’s autistic and gets away from me sometimes when something attracts his attention.”

  Gina kneels down and stares at his angelic face, a half smile as he gazes at the smorgasbord of treats. Pain stabs her heart. Maybe like her daughter would have been. If she’d made it.

  Nope. Not doing that. Not here. Not now. She shoves down the memories taking flight in her heart, pushing them deep into the darkness where they belong, and smiles at him. “Is there something I can help you with, sir?”

  His eyes glance at her for a millisecond before darting back to the table. “Cupcake.”

  She winks at the girl, her body relaxing at the kindness Gina offers. “You know this is a private party. Girls only.”

  “He’s a boy and you let him in.”

  He points to Max, crouched down level with Shae, talking in her ear, a wayward piece of his black hair bobbing as his head nods. Gina takes a deep breath. Too smart for his own good, the little boy defeats her argument. “We made a special exception for him, so I guess we can do the same for you.”

  “Cupcake.”

  “I like a man who knows what he wants.” Too bad not all of them can be so certain.

  “If it’s okay with your…” She looks up at the now smiling girl.

  “I’m Lindsay. His nanny.”

  “Well, if it’s okay with Lindsay, then it’s okay with me.”

  “He can’t have any red or blue dyes, but I guess vanilla would be okay.”

  Gina hands him a white cupcake with about four inches of cream cheese frosting, sprinkled with tiny pearl candies. His face lights up in a million-dollar smile. Well, at least she’s made one guy happy.

  Lindsay’s face brightens too, reflecting the love and concern the baby-sitter has for him. Which makes her happy in some weird way. She doesn’t even know these people, but it makes her feel better this special angel has someone in his life who cares about him. Hopefully, Lindsay’s not the only one.

  Picking up four of the goody bags waiting to sweeten the dreams of departing guests, she drops them into the draw string bag on the nanny’s back and then hands her two cupcakes along with one to the toddler jumping up and down next to her. “You guys deserve a treat too.”

  “Thank you. They’ll, I mean we’ll love them.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  The teenager turns to Spencer. “Come on, buddy. It’s time to go.”

  He falls in line behind her, neither his eyes nor his tongue leaving the icing.

  “You made him happy.”

  She turns to Carrie, her voice light-hearted after her earlier worry. “Yeah, if only it could be that easy with everyone.”

  “Don’t I know it. I think we need to check on…” Carrie’s eyes widen, and Gina follows her new friend’s gaze. Max lightly pats Shae’s back before lifting his hand, floating above the fabric as if he can’t touch her. Only the two of them aware his guilt keeps him from comforting Shae completely.

  Gina freezes at Carrie’s sharp intake of breath, her eyes widening as if the blurry truth becomes clear. As much as she knows she’s going to have a blister on her left pinkie toe from these damn heels, Carrie knows how Max feels about Shae. Fuck! They lock eyes as Carrie’s lips purse together. Yep, she knows. And, hopefully is smart enough to not say anything. Or, Max will be dead, and none of them will ever recover.

  Carrie drops her gaze, offering a cheerful smile conflicting with the uncertainty clouding her expression. “I better go and make sure everything is okay.”

  Now it’s Gina’s turn to follow. They walk over to Max and Shae huddled together. She can’t make out his words in her ear, but his rich voice soothes Shae just like it always does her. Shae releases her vise grip on the chair and nods her head. A small smile crosses her lips at Carrie’s approach, and Max steps back, his work done.

  The tiny woman runs her hands over the diagonal ruffles draping across her dress, masking the burgeoning curve of her normally flat stomach as the heir to one of the most powerful crime families in North America grows within her. “Are you having a good time? Is everything the way you want it to be?”

  Just like Shae to pretend like nothing’s wrong, like she didn’t almost have a panic attack from old memories haunting her. She focuses on Carrie, keeping her the center of the attention.

  “It’s perfect. My mom had to admit white can be a wedding color. She’s pissed, so I’m happy.”

  “Not that I want your mom to be upset, but I’m glad you like it.”

  Carrie lowers her voice, pulling Shae into a gentle hug. “Are you okay?”

  “Yes, I’m sorry. When I heard her scream that name, I just…I didn’t mean to ruin your--”

  “It’s fine. The party continues.” Carrie steps back and waves her hand in front of her body, the women still talking and laughing around the room. “But now, I’m ready for my strippers.”

  “A few more hours and you’ll be satisfied, I swear.”

  Shae turns to Gina. Her smile fighting with the worry lining her forehead. Why is she so damn nice? “You’re still coming, right?”

  Carrie wraps her arm around Gina’s shoulders, and she manages not to flinch. “Of course she is. We’re drinking buddies now that you’ve got shank.”

  Sounds like some kind of gory disease. Gina shakes her head before laughing. “What the hell is shank?”

  Carrie gestures towards Shae’s abdomen. “The baby – a combination of their names. You know, Shae, Nick… It’s cool.”

  Gina fake gags as Shae just smiles. She must be used to her friend’s eccentric behavior. “Really? Shank DeMarco? It’s fucking horrible.”

  “Better than some boring name, like Owen or…” She wiggles her eyebrows. “Max.”

  He rolls his eyes, but the humor dancing in the piercing green pools reveals his amusement. “Thanks.”

  Shae reaches out and squeezes Carrie’s hand. “I appreciate your suggestion, but we’ve got a long time to figure it out. Don’t worry though. I’ll review every option with you, Aunt Carrie.”

  She’s like Melanie from Gone with the Wind. Gentle. Wise. Beautiful. Perfect. Whatever she says, whatever she does, it’s always right. I guess that makes me Scarlett. Or, really Rhett. Always destined to be second choice no matter how hard she tries.

  The door opens again and Nathan, the groom, walks in. Carrie meets him halfway, and a few of the women fawn over him, oohing and awing as the handsome doctor kisses his almost wife and thanks ev
eryone for coming. Nick follows a few steps behind him, his eyes locked on Shae while she chats with an older woman who stepped forward to say her good-byes.

  Nick strides toward them, yet doesn’t interrupt, talks to Max as he waits but his gaze never leaves Shae. As much as she knows he wants to. Gina smiles to herself. Double-shot DeMarco is an impatient man. Yet, he’s reformed because of her. Well, at least with her. The men with holes ripped through their heads and hearts may disagree.

  Once the lady walks away, Nick engulfs Shae, his huge hands cupping her face as it lights up with a giant smile. Even without words spoken between them, their chemistry sizzles. He loves her. Max loves her. Hell, I’m half in love with her, and I’m not even gay.

  Max’s heat warms her neck before his lips even brush her skin, fire racing from her throat to between her legs. “I’m looking forward to tonight too.”

  Her heart flip flops as the scent of peppermint wafts over her. He listened. She gave him the best essential oil for sore muscles after lifting, and he used it. “You’re working, remember?”

  “Yeah, but there’s a reason the adage about mixing business with pleasure exists.” His fingertip traces the back of her thigh trailing dangerously close to the hem of her dress. “Don’t you want to mix with me?”

  The ache in her body throbs at the anticipation of his implication. There’s nothing she wants more. “Maybe. We’ll have to see what happens when the strippers get there.”

  She can’t hold back her laugh at his growl in her ear. Nothing like a little jealousy to keep your man in your bed. Even if his heart isn’t.

  “Have your fun, but you know at the end of the night you’ll be with me.”

  Wetness dampens the satin caressing her soft folds at his husky voice. Damn him for being so cocky. And right.

  Chapter 3

  Max leans back on the leather sofa, his legs stretched out in front of him, waiting for Nick to finish his call.

  About fucking puppies.

  He laughs to himself. Six months ago they toppled a burgeoning syndicate attempting to encroach on their territory, Nick pumping bullets into the heads and chests of all the men too short-sighted to realize the benefit of shifting their loyalties to him. Now, he questions which breed of dog is most compatible with kids. A man who doesn’t flinch at killing his enemy by ramming his nose into his brain, compares the attributes of golden retrievers to labs. Yeah, Nick’s whipped.

  Yet, Max can’t blame him. He’d want to surprise Shae too. Do anything it takes to make her face light up with that heart-stopping smile. His gut twists. Which belongs to Nick. The one who always makes her glow the brightest. The one who always makes her the happiest.

  “Okay. I’ll talk to you in about six weeks.”

  Nick wraps up his conversation, bringing Max back to reality. And, to the concern in front of them. He blows out a deep breath. What made Nick fucking agree to fly all of them to Las Vegas, he’ll never understand. Actually, that’s a lie.

  He knows exactly why. A smile crosses his lips as he shakes his head. While Carrie requests club hopping and strippers, Shae asks for nothing. Yet, that never stops Nick from wanting to give her everything. “RJ’s hacked into their card key system. As soon as we check in, he’ll override their passcode to the suite so only you and I have the number. No one gets inside unless we’re there.”

  The frown on Nick’s face reflects his mounting second thoughts too. “Good. What about--”

  “I’ve got my guys on the ground already, and they’ve swept the hotel. I’ll give them the heads up once we land, and they’ll run through it again. There are ten guys on the room and a man each for Carrie and Gina when we go out.”

  Gina.

  Beautiful, sexy, trouble. His groin twitches at the thought of her wearing that red dress at Carrie’s bridal shower. Of what she says, what she does. Her mouth as smart as her attitude. And, a body that taunts him just as much.

  Not since Katrina has he felt the lure, the need for more. To move beyond a casual fling. He may not understand the spell Gina weaves over him, but he wants all of it. All of her. Now, with her entwined in their lives thanks to Shae, maybe he can have it.

  If she’ll let him. Gina thinks she’s slick, that he can’t see through the façade she creates to hide the vulnerability lingering underneath. Scorching him with the fire burning in those huge cocoa eyes. Yet she smothers the flames when he gets too close. Leaves the bed cold when he asks about her tattoo or her friends or her art. Anything about her.

  Forcing himself to focus, he nods at Nick. “You’ll have Oscar and Leo with you at Nathan’s party.”

  “No, keep everyone on Shae.”

  He leans forward, tapping on the hotel blue prints spread across Nick’s desk. “Don’t fuck with me on this. I don’t want to have to think about your stupid ass when I’ve got my hands full with the girls.”

  Well, mostly Gina. Shae’s easy to protect. She doesn’t take chances, stays close, trusts him to keep her safe. Gina on the other hand… He blows out a deep sigh. Everything Shae’s not, but still exactly what he wants. What he craves when they’re not together.

  A flame of jealousy burns through him from her comments about the strippers. She acts like she’s kidding, but he never knows for sure. Nothing ever certain with her.

  “Fine. How many did Carrie invite?”

  “Eight. Three are on the jet with us, while the others are meeting them there.”

  “And all of their backgrounds came back clear?”

  “Yep, no ties to anyone.” He swipes his screen, double checking the names in the report. “Even Chloe and Zoey from Chicago.”

  Nick shakes his head, his frown not completely gone. One last worry he needs to eliminate for his boss. “I also talked to Blake again. Sharp guy. Totally gets what we need and already has strong security in place. He has every inch of his club covered, including the VIP room Shae booked for Carrie’s strippers.”

  The worry lines soften on Nick’s face, so now he can fuck with him. “And, don’t worry. I won’t let Shae leave with any of them.” He smirks and ignores Nick’s ‘fuck you’ look. “But, I’m not making any promises with Carrie. I refuse to take responsibility for her actions. That’s between her and Nathan.”

  “What about Gina?”

  Now it’s his turn to be irritated. He shrugs his shoulders, playing dumb that his once separate worlds are colliding in a way he never anticipated. Never believing Gina would accept Shae’s offer of friendship. “Her too.”

  “Whatever. I saw you two at the shower. You’re not fooling anyone.”

  Damn, that hurts. He’s losing his touch. Or, closer to the truth, Gina steals it from him. Not smooth enough to resist her temptation without getting caught. At least by Nick. The others haven’t figured it out. Yet. “I’m not trying to fool jack shit.”

  “The more you protest, the more I know it’s true.”

  More than he wants to admit. Except for having to listen to Nick run his mouth, it feels good to have her here, hanging out with Carrie and Shae while he and Nick work. Easier than he expected to have her in all of their lives.

  “Are you going to keep gossiping like a fucking girl, or do you want Adelman’s report on the new DA?”

  Nick’s face hardens, and he rolls his finger forward. Yeah, that shuts him up quick.

  “What’s he got?”

  “She’s fucking gunning hard for your ass. You know, make a name for herself since everyone thinks she’s hot shit, including her. I’ve got the ADA in my pocket, but I can’t get her.”

  Nick shakes his head and leans back in the chair, threading his fingers behind his head. Evidence his boss is more concerned than he lets on. “No one can be that perfect. There’s got to be something we can control her with.”

  “I haven’t given up. If there is, we’ll find it. If not, we’ll create it. Everyone has a weakness.”

  Stress darkens Nick’s expression as he picks up the frame on the corner of his desk, the baby’
s sonogram tucked into his wedding picture of Shae. “We all do.”

  A different image burns in Max’s mind. Nobody except him affected by one of Carrie’s candid shots following the ceremony. Of Nick bending forward signing their marriage license, his focus on the papers, Shae’s gaze on him. Pure, immense, complete love as she stares at her husband, her small hand wrapped around his. Wearing a million-dollar diamond band engraved with a single word: Everything. Precisely what she is to Nick. Exactly the way it should be.

  The final proof for him to let go of all his feelings for her, except friendship. And, move forward with the woman who’s almost as dangerous, to his heart if not his body. “I just have to figure out what tempts her and dangle it within reach. Then we won’t have to worry about her anymore.”

  The frame bumps against a smaller one as Nick sets it down. A reminder of Shae’s influence in their lives and the house. Photos covering walls and tables, flowers and chocolate scenting the air, sweet laughter filling the once dead space. Fading the tension tightening Nick’s face.

  Nick will always be Nick. He can’t hold back a chuckle. Even Shae’s goodness is not strong enough to keep him from being an arrogant, stubborn dick feared by the men in their world. Yet, the darkness surrounding him diminishes, the desolate outlook vanished. His friend is finally happy.

  “One more thing. They’re ready to install the surveillance equipment at the new house. I’ll leave on Monday and be back by Thursday night. Shae has rehearsal for the AVA’s on Friday with the show on Sunday.”

  “Then Carrie’s wedding in two weeks, and we’ll be gone.”

  As good as that sounds, they can’t kid themselves. No way in hell Nick will be able to honeymoon for an entire month. “Maybe you’ll get a few days to actually enjoy it.”

  “I’m hoping to give her at least a week, if Enrique can keep up appearances while I’m gone.” Nick twists the black band on his left ring finger, probably still adjusting to the feel of the metal circling his skin. “If I have to come back, maybe Carrie or Gina can go down and stay with her. No reason she can’t enjoy the house without me.”