Red Handed(72)
Danielle tried to concentrate on the conversation, but she became distracted every time someone new walked through the door. “Scottsdale. Have you been?”
Sipping her wine, Lisa shifted in her seat. “No. I’ve heard it’s beautiful.”
“It is, but I’ve come to appreciate Michigan too. Cole’s neighborhood—”
“Cole DeMarco, Cole?” Rachel asked. “The owner of Benediction?”
“Rachel, heel,” Kate said.
Danielle could’ve kicked herself for slipping up and giving Rachel a hint about how she knew Kate. Rachel most likely assumed it anyway, but Danielle felt as though she’d broken a rule.
Rachel crumbled up a cocktail napkin and threw it at Kate. “Damn it. If you would get me a guest pass for one night, I wouldn’t have to hound your friends here.”
Kate sighed dramatically. “Fine.”
Rachel’s jaw dropped. “Excuse me? Did you agree?”
“I did,” Kate said. “Next month, Benediction is having an open house for prospective members. No nudity or sex allowed, but you’ll be able to tour the facility and ask questions. If you sign a confidentiality agreement, Cole will grant you an interview. But if you out anyone, I guarantee—”
“No, no. Of course I won’t,” Rachel said, clapping her hands. “Oh, thank you. Thank you. I could kiss you.”
Lisa lifted her cell off the table and waved it around. “If you do, let me get my camera ready. I’m sure Jaxon would love to see that.”
“What about you?” Rachel asked Lisa. “Are you coming with us to the open house?”
Lisa frowned, her gaze dropping to her lap. “No. That’s not my thing. You know that.”
“Actually, I have no idea what your thing is,” Rachel said. “You never date. Are you secretly married or something?”
Lisa’s eyes widened. “Why would you say that?”
Rachel rolled her eyes as if it was obvious. “Because married people are notorious for not having sex. You fit the criteria perfectly.”
Lisa sighed and shook her head. “I’ll think about coming with you. Okay?”
“I’ll be happy to show you the ropes,” Gracie said in her usual perky manner. “Speaking of ropes, there’s this guy who does some awesome bondage scenes.”
Rachel pursed her lips. “Let me guess? Logan, right?”
“Her and Logan rub each other the wrong way,” Kate said, a ghost of amusement on her lips.
Gracie’s eyebrows arched. “Probably because they haven’t rubbed each other the right way. One night at Benediction could change that.”
Clearly annoyed and ready to change the subject, Rachel ignored the previous comments and turned her full attention to Danielle. “Are you planning on staying in Michigan?”
Her heart jumped a beat. If Cole asked her, would she stay? “I’m not sure. It depends . . . ”
Rachel sipped from her drink. “Let me guess. It depends on a man, right?”
Danielle bit her lip and tried to decide how much to say. All the women watched her with interest, especially Gracie. “I’m not sure if it’s going to work out. There are issues I’m not sure we’ll ever see eye to eye on.”
“Hey, if Kate and Jaxon could make it, anyone can,” Rachel said.
Kate glared at Rachel. “Thanks for the glowing endorsement.”
From across the room, Adrian rubbed his chin, giving Danielle the sign that it was time to move. She glanced at Gracie and nodded. “I’m going to the ladies’ room. If you’ll excuse me.”
“Oh, I’ll go with you,” Rachel said, grabbing her purse.
“No!” Gracie said. “I mean, if you really want to hear about Benediction, you don’t need to interview Cole. I’ve been his slave for years. I’ll answer your questions.”
Her stomach churning with nerves, Danielle hurried to the bathroom and washed her hands, wondering if Rinaldi would take the bait. After a couple minutes, she walked out of the ladies’ room and smacked into Master Michael in the hallway, holding a rag in one hand and in the other, a similar gadget to the one Adrian had used to detect bugs.
“I’m sorry,” Michael said, “but he’s got my sister. I don’t have a choice.”
In a flash, he yanked her necklace until it broke and ripped off the wire. Panicked, she tried to fight him off, kicking and punching him, knowing without the GPS in her locket, the FBI might not be able to find her once he took her from the restaurant. He slapped her face, and before she could scream, he covered her mouth and nose with a sweet-smelling cloth.