“No. Everything I could figure led right back to a place I don’t want to mess with because I don’t have a death wish.”
I know she’s talking about Mount, and for the first time, I’m really glad he’s a super-scary mofo who is married to my former boss.
“You should definitely not dig any further into that situation,” I tell her, matching her tone of voice.
Ariel nods. “I got that. But ... I’m still not going to feel okay about leaving it be until you get justice for what happened.”
“Oh Lord, what business are you sticking your nose into now?” The question comes from the gorgeous blonde stepping closer to us that I remember as Vanessa from the girls’ night I went to at Valentina’s.
“Not important,” I reply, just as Ariel says, “Nothing.”
“I’m around sneaky teenagers all day, and I know you’re both full of shit,” Vanessa says.
“Trust me when I say you don’t want to know,” I tell her.
Vanessa tilts her head. “Please tell me Ariel isn’t hacking into something that’s going to get you both killed.”
“I don’t do that stuff anymore.”
“Right. Like I believe that for a second.” She glances behind Ariel. “Where’s the laptop?”
“Yve forbid me from bringing it. Again.”
Vanessa shakes her head and laughs. “I can’t believe you actually left home without the thing.”
Ariel’s fingers twitch. “I usually don’t. You never know when you’ll need to hack into North Korea’s missile guidance system to save the free world.”
I let out an uncomfortable laugh, not sure if she’s joking or not.
“I’m off to buy something that’s going to blow Con’s mind. You two ...” Vanessa looks at both Ariel and me like we’re as guilty as the teenagers she spends time around. “Stay out of trouble.”
As soon as she turns her back, Ariel shoots me a sideways glance. “If there’s information you need that you don’t want to talk about here, come to my place tomorrow.”
I give her a nod because I don’t want to get myself into any trouble. But ... there’s definitely information I need. We need the connection between Giles and the human traffickers. We need to find Lagarto. And I want my brother home safe and sound.
“I don’t care what you’re talking about, but tonight is about lingerie,” Yve says, joining our group. “So go find some, drink the amazing whiskey, and spend all your money.”
“Girl, you don’t stock enough lingerie for us to spend all our money. Didn’t you know we’re ballers?” Ariel says with a smile.
Hearing her talk so easily and confidently about who and what she is gives me a new goal.
Someday I’m going to be a badass like Ariel.
The door chimes again, and I see another familiar face.
“You made it!” Yve calls, and the dark-haired gallery owner joins us.
“Pass up whiskey and driving my husband wild with something naughty? Wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Valentina sees me next. “Temperance! I’m so glad you’re here. I was going to call you in the morning because I need your wire-transfer information.”
Wire-transfer information. It makes me sound so fancy, which is definitely not the case.
“Whatever you need,” I say. “Although I have no idea what that information is.”
“I can get it for her,” Ariel says with a smile. “But you probably don’t want me to.”
“Oh Lord. Don’t get the girl started hacking into all our bank accounts. She’ll probably put more moneyinthem because she’s a weird-ass benevolent hacker. Or start college funds for all our kids.” This comment comes from Yve.
Ariel flips her the bird with a smile as she sips a glass of water.