Mia Russo spent ten years working undercover, entrenched in the dregs of society before handing in her shield. Opening her own pawn shop is a piece of cake in comparison. All she needs is the bad attitude she developed on the streets and the shotgun under her counter to keep law and order. Until the day Zeke McBride walks into her shop.
Zeke knows Mia has every right not to trust him. He was the one who chose the next op instead of her. And all he can hope is that somewhere under the snarl and cynicism is a woman who can forgive. Because whether she trusts him or not, they're going to have to work together to bring down the gang that's decided Mia is their next target.
Zeke knows Mia has every right not to trust him. He was the one who chose the next op instead of her. And all he can hope is that somewhere under the snarl and cynicism is a woman who can forgive. Because whether she trusts him or not, they're going to have to work together to bring down the gang that's decided Mia is their next target.
Mia had learned early on that the best
course of action was to stay off his radar, so she headed toward the back room
where the pool tables were located. She passed Jana Metcalfe along the way.
Jana had been a waitress at Duffey’s since long before Mia had moved there. She
was pleasantly plump and somewhere in her mid to late thirties, and she always
had a wide and infectious smile.
“Is the pool table taken?” Mia asked
her.
“A group just cleared out. It’s all
yours.” She gathered empties from a table, balancing the tray and making it
look effortless. “It’s good to see Zeke back in town,” she said,
conversationally. “Almost didn’t recognize him. He looks a lot different than
he did at nineteen.” She winked and chuckled. “He spent a lot of summers here.
Lord, he and those MacKenzies got into some trouble. I’m surprised Duffey even
lets any of them in the door.”
“He must not be too mad,” Mia said.
“They’re talking to each other.”
“That’s because Duffey is still trying
to get Zeke to pay for some damages. Duffey just likes to complain. He’ll
overcharge Zeke for the beers and then he’ll feel like he’s gotten away with
something. Let me give you a tip. When you’re ready to order anything else,
come find me. I’ll make sure your ticket is right.”
Mia shook her head and smiled. “Thanks,
I appreciate it.”
“Hey, you guys have had a rough week.
Duffey should be giving you the beer.” Jana stretched her neck out to the side
to look around the corner toward Duffey. “Don’t tell him I said that. That man’s
never given away a thing in his life.”
“Why do you work for him?”
“I’m his granddaughter.” Jana winked
and smiled again, and then hefted the tray onto her shoulder and headed toward
the kitchen.
Mia already felt the tension draining
from her shoulders. Zeke had been right. It was nice to get out. They’d been
cooped up at the shop or her apartment all week. It had been nothing but work
and worry.
She headed to the far back
of the restaurant and took the little hallway to the left. It was a private
room they sometimes used for bachelor parties, but it was the only area big
enough for the pool table. She tossed her leather jacket over a chair and went
to check the cues. And then she racked the balls and waited for Zeke to arrive.
Spot her a couple balls her ass.
Liliana Hart is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author in both the mystery and romance genres. After starting her first novel her freshman year of college, she immediately became addicted to writing and knew she’d found what she was meant to do with her life. She has no idea why she majored in music.
Liliana is an avid reader and a believer in all things romance. Her books are filled with witty dialogue, steamy sex, and the all-important happily-ever-afters her romantic soul craves. Since self-publishing in June of 2011, she’s sold more than 1.2 million ebooks all over the world.
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