Page 103 of Fury
Elsa glanced up at her, then over at Carrera. “That was civil.” Then, after a deep breath, she said, “Let’s say grace.”
Slash returned the coffeepot, sat across from Carrera, while Elsa sat at the head.
Elsa held out her palms, and on auto-pilot both she and Carrera placed their hands over hers. Then, Carrera set his hand, palm up, on the table.
Slash stared at his hand, then at him.
“Go on,” Elsa said. “He won’t bite you.”
“Yes, I will, G-ma,” Carrera said. “I’m gonna bite her real good.” He winked at Slash.
Over the years, Carrera had laid his hand on the table before, but she’d refused to touch him. This morning, she didn’t want to upset Elsa. Jazz had already done that. So… to keep the peace, she laid her hand over his, and his fingers folded over hers.
His heat spread up her arms and straight to her heart.
“Thank you, Lord, for this meal, prepared with love. Bless my family as they make their way today, and bless those who seek you. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.”
“Amen,” she and Carrera said in unison.
Elsa pulled a piece of French toast off the top of the pile.
“Elsa, that one’s cold,” Slash said. “Give it to Carrera.”
On a chuckle, Carrera took it, then two more.
Slash served Elsa the next one. “This is still hot.”
A few bites in, Elsa said, “You both look so tired, like you didn’t sleep a wink.”
Slash could feel Carrera’s gaze drilling into her. If she so much as glanced in his direction, she’d give herself away.
“Been busy with work,” Slash said.
“Same,” Carrera added. “I got a new assignment.”
Elsa’s expression fell. “Are you going out of town again?”
“No,” Carrera said between bites. “I’m in town working a possible prostitution syndicate and several missing persons cases. I’ve got a new partner.”
“I’m happy you’re in town,” Elsa said. “I hope you find time to visit me.”
“Every Saturday morning, G-ma,” Carrera said. “I know Amanda May would love that, wouldn’t you, Slash?”
“I’d love it like poison,” Slash replied, biting back a smile.
Carrera
That evening,just after nine, Carrera parked in a dark corner of the lot. He coated his fingertips with the silicone spray, collected the duffle, and walked into the Blue Suit club.
Music pulsed through him as he made his way toward the back.
The club was already busy, filled with men looking for a good time. While topless dancers slinked around the poles or shook their booties on tables, Carrera kept his gaze trained straight ahead. There was only one woman who interested him, and she wasn’t arriving for another fifteen minutes.
He stopped outside the GM’s closed office door.
Knock-knock.
“Just a minute,” Karen called out.
