Foundation for Three (37 page)

“You mean, the man who keeps you out at all hours of the night.”

Thad nodded. “I think it’s the gang members who are responsible for that.”

Max Gruden was facing the street, looking lonely. “Do you want to invite him over?”

Thad placed a hand on hers. “Already asked, but he declined. The man is as tight-lipped as it comes, except when trying to solve a crime. He’s focused, I’ll give him that.”

“Sounds like someone else I know.”

Thad tucked in his chin. “Don’t tell me you aren’t as focused. If I recall, you were so absorbed in your work that you didn’t know a particular man was in a standoff in a hospital corridor.”

“I might be guilty of that offense, but what’s Max’s excuse?” Zoey didn’t know why she was drawn to the sad man. Her job, she supposed. His body appeared strong, but his face was a bit gaunt as if he never indulged in wonderful foods, like sweets. “I bet he drinks his coffee black.”

Both of her men laughed. They’d had discussions about her excessive use of sugar and cream in her drink.

“Max used to be a cop until a bust went bad. A few days later, his wife and child were trapped in a house fire and died. The arsonist was never caught.”

“How horrible.” A strong ache sliced through her. She couldn’t imagine what it would be like to lose a spouse, let alone a child. She’d counseled people about picking up the pieces after a death and moving on with their lives, but she wondered if she’d ever have that kind of strength.

A man with a broad smile and confident stride came toward them. He wiped his hands on his moderately clean apron and held out his hand to Thad. “Detective.” He then nodded to Pete. “Mr. Banks.” His eyes sparkled as his gaze roamed over to her. “And who do we have here?”

“Zoey Donovan.” Instead of a shake, the friendly man captured her hand with both of his and brought the back to his lips.

“Delighted. I’m Giuseppe Buscemi. The owner. Italiano’s has been in the family for fifty-three years next month.” He returned her hand. “What can I get you three to drink besides your water?”

Pete spoke up. “How about a bottle of your finest Chianti?”

“Of course.”

That wasn’t what they usually drank. “Is this a special occasion?” she asked after the owner slipped into the kitchen.

Pete leaned back and stretched an arm behind her. “Since my rebirth, as I’ll call it, I’ve redefined my priorities, and I wanted to make more changes in my life, besides wanting to be with you, sugar.” His look of love warmed her heart.

“Care to elaborate?” Zoey leaned close, their lips within kissing distance.

“Just tell her, for Pete’s sake.” Thad grinned, obviously enjoying his use of the expression.

Pete placed a hand on her thigh, and tingles shot up her back. “I asked Alex to be my partner again.”

“That’s a nice surprise.” She was happy the tiff between them was settled. Zoey thought it interesting that Pete didn’t say Alex wanted to buy his half of the partnership, since Pete had bought him out when Alex needed to take care of his ill dad. “How does that work?”

“I’m giving him thirty percent of the profit in return for his total commitment.”

“How can he do that?” From what Pete had told her, Alex was already working too much.

Pete shrugged. “He’s a very talented man. He’ll figure it out. Actually, I suggested he hire another construction manager, and manage him.”

She liked where this was going. “Will this mean more time for the three of us?”

He tapped her nose. “That’s exactly what it means.”

The owner delivered the bottle of Chianti, along with three glasses. “Enjoy, my friends.”

As soon as the owner left, Zoey held up her glass. “To us!”

They clinked their glasses. Tonight was going to be quite special.

Chapter Thirty-One

Z
oey had never been as happy as she had been in the last two days, in large part because her men had been considerate and amazing lovers. Just knowing Pete had found contentment had made their bond stronger. The problem was that Zoey wanted to dream about them and be with them instead of working. For the first time ever, her job was no longer her top priority. At some point in the future, she hoped she’d get her verve back. Helping others always had been and always would be in her blood.

When the men sprang the weekend getaway on her, each day became increasingly more difficult to get through. Pete told her they’d be flying out at 7:55 p.m. this Friday to someplace warm. Having them all to herself for two days was going to be fantastic.

Ever since Zoey had found out about the trip, she’d made some subtle and not so subtle hints about her desire to be tied up, but neither man would say whether they were into that kind of kink. She suspected Pete was, but Thad remained an unknown.

“Knock, knock.” Her office door opened and Jamie poked her head in. “Rachel said your last client was gone. I wanted to make sure you’re coming to happy hour.”

Zoey hadn’t been to the weekly get-togethers since before her first date with Pete, and she needed some serious girl time. “I am.”

“You want to go a little early? I’m off work.”

“Absolutely. Give me a sec to collect my things.”

Jamie’s gaze latched onto the pink stun gun. She stepped closer and picked it up with her forefinger and thumb. “What are you doing with one of these? Do you know what that can do to a body?”

The horror lacing her voice had Zoey smiling. “Don’t worry. I have no plans to ever use it. Pete suggested I get one after the break-in.”

Jamie set the gun back down on the edge of the desk and raised her hand to the wound where Ben had shot her. “Weapons in general scare me.”

“Me, too.” Jamie seemed like she needed to talk, and while Zoey could suggest they stay here and have a session, from the way her friend was rubbing her arm, if might be better if they talked outside of the hospital setting. “You up for a quick detour on our way to Banner’s?”

Jamie’s face brightened, but in Zoey’s opinion, her friend’s skin was a bit sallow. “Where?” Jamie asked.

“Naughty Desires. I need some lingerie for my big weekend away.”

Jamie pumped her fist in the air, looking like her old self. “My favorite store. Or at least it used to be.”

Her friend didn’t need to say the words “before Ben,” but Zoey bet that was what she was thinking. Once Zoey grabbed her purse, coat, and some files, they left. They’d driven separately. “Meet you at Naughty Desires?”

“Yup.”

The lingerie shop and Banner’s were on Fourth Street, but they were eight blocks apart, so Zoey parked halfway between. Because she’d snagged a parking place before Jamie, Zoey headed to the back of the store where a few items had caught her attention the last time she was there. She passed the whips and floggers, and went straight to the section that held the fur-lined cuffs. Nothing like this little restraint to get the men in the mood.

The bell rang above the door, and Jamie came in. “Well, well. What do we have here? Have you been keeping something from me?”

They’d never discussed Zoey’s sex life. It was sometimes hard separating being Jamie’s friend from her therapist. “I thought I’d spice things up a little.” One of the reasons Jamie had become disillusioned with Ben was because he never wanted to experiment. “You ought to pick up something.” Zoey was close to stepping on some of Jamie’s major issues, but since Zoey had kept her voice light, she hoped Jamie wouldn’t mind.

Her friend planted a hand on her hip. “Not my thing to self-stimulate.”

Zoey grabbed a sleep mask and some soft ties. “That’s a man’s job, right?”

Jamie looked down for a second. “Yeah.”

Zoey was about to point out that if Jamie would give some of the men who’d asked her out a chance, she might find Mr. Right—the real Mr. Right this time. Zoey understood that just because she was deliriously happy, it didn’t mean everyone else would be so lucky.

“How about helping me pick out some indecent underwear?” Zoey set her fun toys on the checkout counter and headed to the lingerie section. Whatever Jamie picked for her, Zoey would buy.

By the time they walked out of the store, Zoey must have spent half a week’s wages, but she loved everything. The men were going to go crazy.

“Where did you park?” Jamie asked.

“Between here and Banner’s.” They walked side by side. When Zoey reached her car, she dumped her purchases in the trunk, and then they made their way to the bar.

Inside, the canned music was playing at a decent decibel level, and the place wasn’t yet crowded. Amber and Melissa were already there and waved to them. She and Jamie were a bit late, so she guessed Becky wouldn’t be coming.

After hugs all around, the tension slowly seeped out of Zoey’s bones. The place might have that distinct odor of beer and wood, but it was a smell that reminded her of good times.

As soon as they were seated, Jamie clasped Amber’s hand. “I know your mom came to visit this past weekend, but we haven’t had a chance to talk. What suggestions did she have for your wedding?”

Amber already had her glass of wine and Zoey motioned to the waitress for her usual. Zoey wanted to hear what Mrs. Delacroix had suggested before showing Amber some of the pictures she’d taken of Nana’s barn. Zoey had uploaded them to the Cloud so that she could share her experience with the girls.

“Mom exhausted me. We went to every church in Rock Hard. While ménage weddings are common, not all places embrace them.” Amber pursed her lips. “Then we had to drive to Billings, where we met with similar disappointment.”

Poor Amber. Zoey reached over to her and clasped her hand. “What do you and the men want?”

“Yes! It does matter what the bride desires. Why can’t my mom see that?”

Zoey smiled. “Well, she is a bit self-centered.”

That seemed to cheer up Amber. “Yes, but she’s trying to be a mother, so I’m attempting to be a good daughter.”

Zoey pulled out her cell phone and clicked on the app that brought up the photos of Nana’s barn. “I have a place I think you might like, though I’m pretty sure your mom won’t.”

The glint in her eyes returned. “Let me see.”

Zoey explained about Thad’s grandmother’s place. “Thad’s cousin, Erin, sent me some photos of her wedding that had been held there. The place is quite magical and homey and awesome.”

Jamie leaned closer. “Nice, but see how the light leaks between the wooden slats? I bet it’ll be cold in there.”

Zoey agreed. “Have you three set a wedding date?”

Amber shook her head. “We’re thinking sometime in the spring.”

“That will work weather wise.” Zoey handed her the phone. “There are about fifteen photos. Just scroll through them.”

With each swipe, Amber’s face grew brighter. “These are amazing. Can you send them to me? I want Stone and Cade to see these.”

“Will do.”

The server came with their drinks and Zoey finally relaxed. The only thing on her agenda for the rest of the day was to pack for someplace warm, get through tomorrow, and be free for a love-filled weekend.

*     *     *

Phone in hand, Thad leaned back in his office chair. “I’ll be out of town all weekend,” he told Max. “If you need any help with a gang insignia, call Jeremy. He’s almost as good as I am.”

“Will do.”

Thad had expected at least a chuckle, but Max apparently wasn’t much of a jokester. Thad had logged off his computer, ready to pick Zoey up for their trip to the airport, when Cade made a beeline to Thad’s desk. The pinched brows and stiff shoulders weren’t a good sign. Shit.

Cade tossed down a piece of paper. “Take a look at this.” Cade had drawn yellow highlights through about fifty or so phone numbers.

It was someone’s phone bill. “Who does this belong to?”

“Dr. Avery Carson. And those multiple calls? They’re from a Kara Molloy, his assistant.”

Both were at Gloria Sanchez’s funeral. “So?” Thad was having a hard time pushing his own cases aside. Cade worked burglaries, domestic violence, and on occasion, murder, and rarely asked for or needed Thad’s expertise.

Cade dragged a chair from an empty desk and placed it next to Thad’s. “What do we know about Gloria Sanchez’s murder?”

“Why are you asking me? I only know what Zoey told us.”