Riggs (Arizona Vengeance 11)

I gather they’re still talking about Jenna. And I don’t know much about the subject, but I do agree print media is dying. Nowadays, most people get their news from an app on their phone.

“Maybe she should do digital media,” I suggest. All eyes come to me, I’m sure surprised that I’m actually joining in conversation. I look at Emory. “You know… she can follow in your footsteps.”

Emory blinks once in surprise and a smile breaks out on her face. “You know, that’s not a bad idea at all.”

Emory chatters away about it, but I immediately tune back out because Veronica is walking through the restaurant, her arm hooked through the arm of the man standing at her side. They look like a fucking Hollywood couple. He’s tall, brawny with near-perfect good looks, flawless fashion, and an air of confidence. She looks like a goddess in a sleeveless black dress that hugs her curves and falls mid-calf. There is a swath of material cut out diagonally across her chest that reveals cleavage, and it’s both sexy and classy at the same time.

My gut burns hot over the way she’s clinging to him.

And then my ears ring as I feel my pulse thumping harder with anger.

Without excusing myself, I step away from the group and move her way. As I walk by the table where Baden and Jenna are sitting, Baden lurches to intercept me. He holds on to the back of his chair and leans in toward me murmuring, “You need to calm down.”

“I am calm,” I grit out.

“Your face says otherwise.”

I take a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I’m just going to talk to her.”

“That’s fine.” His stare is intense and slightly worried. “But when you do, keep in mind that it’s pure jealousy spurring you to do so. You need to ask yourself what that tells you and accept things the way they are.”

I glare at my friend. “Cryptic much?”

Baden grins. “You understand me just fine.”

Unfortunately, I do.

Baden has admittedly become my closest friend here, and he knows me as well as anyone does. We’ve become even closer since I told him about Veronica, and I’ve acted as a sounding board for him about the photo lineup he viewed at the police station. He called me after to tell me he was able to identify one of his attackers. However, Sophie wasn’t able to pick him out from the photos that were sent to Pittsburgh. That spelled a whole lot of frustration because there was no way the police could arrest the guy when one victim identified him and the other hadn’t.

The police did, however, manage to get a warrant to tap the suspect’s phone based on Baden’s identification, and they were hoping he’d reveal something incriminating. For now, though, Baden is beyond frustrated and upset as he thought perhaps justice might’ve been within reach.

Yeah… I’ve talked to him about Veronica, and he’s shared his worries with me.

I have to respect what he’s said. I give him a nod, the most I’ll concede that he might know what he’s talking about.

I move away from my friend and move across the room, weaving in and out of people to approach Veronica and her date.

Her eyes widen when she sees me approach. I don’t even spare a glance at her date. “Can I speak to you privately?” I ask politely.

She frowns with confusion but says, “Sure.”

Turning to the man at her side, she pats his arm. “I’ll be right back, Devlin. Why don’t you get us drinks, and I’ll meet you at the bar?”

He flashes her a brilliant smile, gives me an uncertain look, and heads toward the booze. I hope he fucking chokes on it. And what kind of stupid name is Devlin?

I take Veronica by the elbow and escort her through the crowd. I look around, trying to find a dark corner or alcove where we can talk. Frustrated because there are far too many people here, I glance over at the coat check and the clerk sitting there surfing his phone in boredom.

Pulling Veronica that way, I reach the desk and nab a hundred-dollar bill out of my wallet, shoving it at him. His head jerks up and he straightens. “How can I help you, sir?”

“Take that money and get lost for fifteen minutes.”

The kid nods effusively, snags the hundred, and scurries off.

I drag Veronica into the coatroom and shut the door behind me.

And then my mouth is on hers. I’ve got her in my arms and backing her up to the far wall, coats to the left and right of us. She’s immediately responsive, arms going around my neck and her tongue reaching out to meet mine.

I press my body into hers. I try to pull her leg up to wrap it around my waist but her dress is too tight. That problem is easily solved as I take the material and hitch it over her hips.