“And?”
“Aren’t they going to have an issue with this being ‘off the radar’?”
“Lotsa shit is off the radar that Hank and Eddie know about. They don’t like it but I suspect they don’t lose any sleep over it.”
All of a sudden I was tired and I didn’t want to talk about this anymore. I wanted to sleep and yes, I was happy to admit, I wanted to sleep pressed up tight against Luke’s strong, warm, hard body and I would have put that in writing if he’d asked me (luckily he didn’t).
“Let me get my purse,” I said.
His arm dropped and I got my purse. When I was close enough again, his arm came back around my shoulders and we walked into the front yard where everyone was standing.
“We’re going to the loft,” Luke told Lee.
Lee nodded.
Luke looked at Tex. “You’ll lock down the house?”
Tex nodded.
Luke dug in his pocket and tossed Tex my keys. Then his eyes went back to Lee.
“Meeting first thing,” Luke said.
Lee nodded again.
I glanced at Eddie who was looking to the heavens.
Then I glanced at Hank who was looking at me. “Roxie will be over tomorrow,” Hank told me.
“Thank you,” I said and looked at Roxie. “Thank you,” I repeated.
She smiled at me, came up and kissed my cheek. “Sleep well, honey. I’ll see you tomorrow,” she whispered.
Then Luke pointed me to the Porsche but I pulled away and walked to Lee.
I didn’t say thank you to Lee. I just wrapped my arms around him, got up on my toes and kissed his cheek. I looked him in the eye a beat, hoping he understood without me having to say it (and I was pretty certain he did) then broke free and did the same to Tex. I didn’t break free from Tex as easily, mainly because he engulfed me in a bear hug before letting me go.
“Thanks everyone,” I said quietly to the crowd, feeling like a big dork but knowing at least a gesture should be made (I mean, it was late) before Luke’s arm came back around my shoulders. He took me to the Porsche and we were gone.
* * * * *
Luke was right, it hit me and it hit me a lot sooner than I would have expected.
It hit me the minute he flipped the light switch in his loft.
Light filled the space and I felt panic seize me. I ran to the switch and turned it off. Then I flattened myself against the wall, protecting the switch with my body.
“Babe,” Luke was close, his voice gentle.
“He’s watching,” I whispered, terrified.
I’d forgotten to tell Luke one little, but important, thing.
Shit.
Luke’s fingers slid under my hair to curl around the back of my neck. “Ava, come away from the wall. Let’s get you changed and in bed.”
“We have to go to a hotel.”