Catch A Tiger By The Tail (THIRDS 6)

Sloane took Letty’s gloved hand and placed it to his lips for a kiss. “Letty, you always look beautiful.”

“See?” Letty smiled sweetly. “That’s why he’s a gentleman, and you’re a hood.”

Dex slapped his hand over his chest. “Ouch! Mi corazone.”

“Corazón,” Letty corrected. “You’re lucky you’re cute, Daley.”

“Now you sound like Sloane,” Dex muttered, placing his hat on the table. He ran his hands over his slicked-back hair, but a small section fell over his brow, adding to his notorious-mobster look.

Ash looked around. “Where’s Dimples?”

One of these days, they needed to find out what the guy’s name was.

Letty rolled her eyes at the nickname. “He’ll be here in a couple of hours. Sleeping off his last rotation.”

“Sorry we’re late.”

Rosa walked in with Milena at her side. Both of them removed their long coats before hanging them up by the door. They looked stunning, and the team whistled and clapped, making Rosa and Milena smile. It was good to see Milena again, and Rosa was always so happy when her girlfriend was around. Milena greeted them each with a kiss, giving Ethan an extraspecial

hug. He beamed brightly at her.

“How are you, cutie?”

Ethan shrugged and nodded. I’m good. He gave her a gentle poke in the arm. How are you?

“Excited to be here. It’s been too long since I’ve seen you guys.” She took a seat next to Rosa.

“I had no idea the antique business was so demanding,” Dex said.

“My employers are pretty ruthless. Their clients are pushy, demanding, and when time is of the essence, it’s drop everything and acquire the item. These transactions move incredibly quick.”

“Yeah, they don’t care what time it is. If something needs doing, they’re calling at all hours. Makes it hard to coordinate our schedules, but we do our best.” Rosa’s expression softened, and she leaned in to give Milena’s cheek a kiss. With a shy smile, Milena turned her face and kissed Rosa’s lips.

Aw. Those two were so sweet together. It was a shame their careers ate up so much of their time. It was clear Milena loved Rosa very much. Ethan could tell in the way she smiled at her and how it reached her sparkling gray eyes. Milena reminded him a little of Sparks, with her retro pinup curves and style, but unlike Sparks, Milena was a sweetheart. Granted, they only knew Sparks in a professional capacity. She was their superior and not a friend like Milena. Ethan had no idea what Sparks was like off the clock. Was she always so stern and focused? He recalled the e-mail she’d forwarded him on Shibari experts. Why would you think about that now?

Ethan quickly shook those thoughts from his head and turned his attention back to his friends.

“So where’s the birthday girl?” Milena asked.

Cael shrugged. “She had to go pick someone up. A friend or something.”

Bradley showed up, and everyone at the table ribbed him and whistled. He gave them all a little bow and chuckled. “Thanks, guys. You all look great.”

“Rocking the suspenders,” Dex said with a smile. “I like it.”

Bradley had rolled his white shirtsleeves up his arms, his tattoos on display, but then Bradley always looked kind of preppy with a bit of a rockabilly vibe.

“So, how about some drinks?”

“Oh God, yes,” Letty said with a cheer. “Bring on the booze!”

Ash held a hand up. “Can we get some snacks, since Señor Grape-warden tried to skewer me last time I got near the food?”

Bradley cringed. “Yeah, he doesn’t like it when you touch the food before it’s been put out.”

“You get threatened too?” Dex asked with a chuckle.

“Of course not. I’m too cute to be yelled at,” Bradley replied with a wink. “I ask. But I’ve seen terrible fates befall others.” He shook his head sadly.