If a text from this jerk-off had her swigging whiskey like that, the first chance I got, I planned to ask Heath for his full name so I could run him through all mydatabases.
Heath’s a cop.He would have already done that,I reminded myself.Except his detective skills had never been quite as good as mine.We were talking about Ari here, which meant a second look wasn’t goingtohurt.
Besides, even though Heath wasn’t a top-grade detective, which was why he worked in internal affairs, his gut was solid and that was all I needed to know.Open season on Carlos wascomingup.
8
Ariel
Three sheetsto the wind wasn’t my normal state when leaving a bar, but when Heath laid off the Carlos issue, he launched into a trip down memory lane.It might have only been a year since he’d seen Rhett, but apparently that was sufficient time to require a rehashing of their High School Greatest Hits, or so I liked to refer to all their legendary exploits that got more impressive every time Heath told thestories.
After a second bottle of whiskey, I fumbled for my phone and dialedCarver.
“Yes, Ms.Sampson?”
“I think I need a ride soon.Probably agoodidea.”
“Yes, ma’am.Of course.I’ll be there in under fiveminutes.”
“Thank you, Carver.”Both men were looking at me when I hungup.“What?”
“Who’s Carver?”Rhett asked with heat in his green eyes that I would have loved to attribute to jealousy, but even I wasn’t thatintoxicated.
“My driver while I’m in town.He came highlyrecommended.”
Rhett let out a whistle.“Fancy.Someone’s come a long way from selling computer advice to theneighbors.”
It was the truth, but not something I focused on.My bank balance didn’t have anything to do with what kind of person I was, just how good I was at makingmoney.
“Whatever.”I surveyed them both.“You both wantaride?”
Rhett stood, gripping the table to keep himself from wobbling.“I’m not driving.”He jerked his head at Heath.“Himeither.”
“No shit,” my brothershotback.
I hooked my purse over my shoulder and the three of us made our way toward the door.One of the guys at the bar mumbled something under his breath as we passed, and Heath stopped inmidstride.
“What didyousay?”
The guy’s expression hardened.“Didn’tsayshit.”
“Thought I heard you say something rude about my littlesisterhere.”
The barfly’s eyes widened.“Didn’t mean anything by it.Mymistake.”
Heath yanked his badge from his pocket and held it in front of the man’s face.“Damn right, that’s your mistake.Watch how the fuck you talk about womennexttime.”
I pushed open the door to see headlight beams cut through the darkness outside as Carver pulled up.“Oh-kay.Time to go now.Ourride’shere.”
I linked my arms through Heath’s and Rhett’s and dragged them both toward the door, using my heels asleverage.
Both men followed me, one spouting off another threat to the random guy at the bar, and the other silent, his bicep flexing beneathmyhand.
Good Lord, I was right.Rhett did have to stuff his arms intothatsuit.
Carver had already opened the back door of the car, and his eyes widened when he saw me dragging two grown men out of Molly’s.He released the handle and stepped toward me, his hand going to his shoulderholster.
“Ms.Sampson, can I be ofassistance?”