The Vigilantes (Badge of Honor 10)

But I was up to my ass in alligators. . . .

Then that made him think: Surreal.

Four dead just three blocks from here.

Absolutely surreal . . .

He heard the soft padding sound of bare feet approaching.

“Here you go, sweetie,” Amanda said, putting an enormous platter of antipasto on the low marble table in front of the couch. Her other hand held a crystal stem, its huge goblet full of red wine. “I thought we could do this instead of any dinner.”

“It looks marvelous. I love it. Thank you.”

He reached down and grabbed a giant black olive and wrapped it in a large, thin slice of salami, then shoved the whole thing in his mouth. He chewed, nodding appreciatively at her, his eyes following her as she dropped back onto the couch.

She scooted closer beside him, holding her wineglass up and then tucking her bare feet under her golden-sequined fanny.

Just beautiful, he thought. And so damn sexy.

He touched his glass to hers, and said, “Cheers!”

He then watched as she reached to the table and picked up a salad fork.

She attempted to delicately spear a prosciutto-wrapped rectangle of cantaloupe. Twice. On the third attempt, made very slowly, she hit her target. She chewed the morsel and followed it with a very generous gulp of her wine.

Over the top of her glass, she made eye contact with him. When she’d swallowed the wine, she smiled.

My God, she truly is a goddess.

But why do I suspect that may not be her first glass of vino?

Or her second?

And that is a huge glass. . . .

Matt drained the rest of his eighteen-year-old single-malt.

“I’ll make you another, sweetie,” she said, immediately kicking her feet out from under her.

He leaned over and kissed her on the forehead to keep her seated.

“You stay. You’ve already made all this. I can pour my drink. Think I’ll move on to the cheap stuff.”

He walked over to the wet bar. He filled his glass with ice cubes, then poured a hefty double of Jameson’s Irish whiskey. He looked over to the couch. Luna now had her head in Amanda’s lap as Amanda absently petted her and looked out the window while sipping more wine.

This is certainly getting interesting.

She’s clearly in thought about something.

And damn near in her cups.

He caught himself suddenly yawning.

Oh, shit. Hope I don’t fall asleep. That will really ruin the mood.

And leave it to me to really piss her off.

“I don’t see you forever and the few minutes you’re here, you fall asleep!”