Wasted (Dirty Boys of Chicago #1) (26 page)

“Miss, would you like a refill?” A maid was offering me more lemonade as I sat on a chase lounge overlooking the ocean. I pulled up my floppy hat, and down my sunglasses to make eye contact with her. I felt like that was important with the staff. They were people, and I treated them that way.

“That would be wonderful, thank you.” She took my glass, and refilled it, using the pitcher of lemonade I had made earlier in the day.

Hudson was still making deals, but I didn't know anything about it anymore, and my ignorance was complete bliss. I got to stay on the beach all day and read books while overlooking the ocean, instead of worrying about Russian mobsters, and if my boyfriend’s deals were going to go bad. I couldn't help but wonder if every day he wouldn’t come home because he had a bullet in his head. But he wasn't making prescription deals anymore; he was making more deals with the feds. He had clients and connections on every continent, and he was turning on all the bad ones. He knew that if he ever ended up in jail or any type of government facility that he'd be a dead man, but he also wanted to uncover all of the illusions about prescription drugs, and who was using them. So many of his clients were hospice patients; people with big money, but who were not getting what they needed.

The maid put the glass back down, and I took a long sip, allowing the sweet liquid to go down my throat. She walked away with a smile on her face. I watched her carefully from beneath my glasses, and, as I set down my magazine, I felt for the gun underneath my chair. I was a girl who kept a gun now. For protection. Because there were still people out there who would come for me, and I wouldn’t be anyone’s victim ever again.

I had gotten so lucky falling in love with Hudson James. I thought about the man he had become. Even though he sold drugs for a living, and he was wanted by the Russian mob. I couldn't help the way I felt about him. He knows all my secrets, and I finally know his. And I love him for it. He'll destroy me in the end. But it will have all been worth it.

It already has.