re of the purse-p

sponded. "I had a la

go say hi to

a position in front of her and each raising a paw

shake," I sa

," she said, taking one do

said. "Now ge

and ran off towa

haved,"

y," I said. "Now let me sho

e on, my eyes lingering on he

ter

l

us standing on the deck overlooking his enormous pool in the backya

s time. I still felt a tinge of anxiety in my gut, knowing that b

Once my car was painted, I'd be able to drive as far from Ricky as

me, and he cut a very attractive profile in his suit. His hair was so dark that it was almost like looking in

was beginning to set, brilliant orange

rink before you fulfill your

unds amazin

to calm my nerves, to settle th

ointed lounge. A fireplace roared to life as we stepped i

he said. "Wha

said, settling into one of the

can do,"

the music work through me, putting me at ease as Vin prepared our drinks. After a few m

cran,"

sip. I wasn't a booze expert, but I could

ave to ask-what kind

a glass of dark liquor in front of his

ok my

" I said. "There's no way someone could a

he asked. "Do you really need to

she said. "But you have to ge

, the ice clinking as he set it

motor places like the auto shop, and others are, let's just say, harder to track.

t they're fro

tell by the way Vin's handsome face

meone with a very diver

n had strongly implied that he was involved in some illegal businesses. And the

im, but I knew enough to understand that asking too deep

f of it down in a single swig. It didn't t

You don't pry into my life,

spoke, the fire playing

er happens in this hou

to me. I nodded, f

retty quick," he s

aid. "But not b