‘It sounds like that Kevin Murphy could use your help right about now,’ Dane said as he dug into the chips.
Brody didn’t miss a beat. ‘Not even I would touch that situation with a ten-foot pole.’
‘He’s getting what he deserves,’ Darien said, jumping in to the discussion. ‘Those Marines deserved better.’
‘The whole unit did,’ Dane agreed.
Genieve shared a proud look with Brody. It might have been underhand, but what they’d done was on the side of right. Kevin Murphy had tried to expose her as an escort. She wasn’t an innocent in the Emissary story, but those Marines and the hostage had deserved better.
She wandered over to squeeze Darien’s shoulders. He was sitting at the table, but Rielle waved her over to her side.
‘What?’ Genieve asked.
‘Look at Nina’s left hand,’ her friend whispered. ‘Is that what I think it is?’
They bobbed their heads until they could see. Nina was sitting on the retaining wall next to Josh and the grill. It wasn’t easy to see her in the shade, but when she lifted her hard cider for a sip, something glinted.
Rielle was quiet, but Genieve wasn’t shy. She marched right over, with Luxxor’s office manager hot on her heels. ‘Nina Lockwood, is that a ring on your finger?’
The blonde woman pulled back in shock.
‘Damn straight it is. It’s my ring,’ Josh said from his master position behind the grill.
Genieve looked from one to the other so fast, her hair smacked Rielle’s shoulder. ‘Are you two engaged?’
The question was so loud, even the people inside the house heard. They wandered over.
‘We are.’ Nina lifted her hand and fluttered her fingers.
‘You’re getting married!’ Rielle said excitedly.
‘Let me see,’ Erin said, rushing in.
‘It’s a sapphire,’ Sienna said with a sigh. ‘Josh, that’s so romantic.’
The tough cop rubbed the back of his neck. ‘Well, she has all that blue glass around. I thought I might as well play it safe and get her something she likes.’
Sighs and coos filled the garden.
Darien laughed. ‘Getting a little hot in the kitchen, Morgan?’
The detective pointed his spatula threateningly. ‘I’ll flip you, Scott.’
One by one, people came over to offer their congratulations. Erin returned to her boyfriend Colton and sat on his lap. He looked scared until she laughed. She took a drink of his beer.
‘I’m not ready yet,’ she said. ‘I want to establish my empire first like Nina did.’
‘To Nina and Josh,’ Jason said, lifting his drink. ‘Where a rock meets a hard place.’
Sienna shushed her man, but everyone laughed. The history there wasn’t a secret. The detective had arrested the former All-Star, but Jason hadn’t given a flying fig.
‘Dinner’s up,’ Josh declared.
‘Just in time,’ Darien chuckled as he got plates for himself and Rielle.
Everyone got in line and chose what looked good. They filled their plates with tasty side dishes, and Genieve bit the side of her cheek when Brody served himself a heaping portion of Erin’s potato salad under her hopeful gaze. People found places to sit and conversation continued as they ate.
‘How’s that potato salad?’ Genieve asked Brody in a whisper.
‘Spicy, but it’s pretty good,’ he said.
She looked at him closely, but didn’t see any tiny lines out of place. He was telling the truth.
‘Can you pass me the ketchup?’ she asked as she prepared her burger.
‘What’s the deal with Dane and Noelle?’ he asked quietly.
She cast a look in the other couple’s direction. They’d taken the seats across the table from them. ‘They’re dating. I like her.’
Brody’s eyes went wide. She didn’t have to be Detective Morgan to read that expression.
‘You mean he—’ Brody stopped to collect his thoughts. ‘Not her?’
Genieve took a healthy bite of her burger. ‘I have no idea what you’re talking about.’
‘He’s a Congressional staffer,’ Brody hissed. ‘I’ve heard good things about him. He’s got a future in politics.’
She patted her lover’s leg under the table. ‘And you’re going to make sure nobody ever finds out he was a Luxxor escort and that it stays that way.’
He looked at her helplessly.
‘It’s why I hired you, honey,’ she said with a smile. ‘Don’t forget, you’re under a confidentiality agreement.’
His fingers began tapping on the table. ‘I like the guy,’ he admitted.
‘Good, because he’s one of my best friends. Maybe we can double date.’
Brody glanced at the pretty brunette. ‘Does she know?’
Genieve smiled. ‘Take it easy. Dane never had an exclusive contract, and she was his last client.’
‘Why does she look familiar?’
‘Congressman Hatcher’s daughter.’
He shook his head. ‘I am going to make so much money off you.’
The food was delicious, and soon everyone was full. The party moved inside when Casey mentioned the pinball games, and people moved up to the man cave. The men’s eyes lit up when they discovered the male nirvana. The women were more stuck-up until Lilah challenged Nina to a game of Pac-Man. Genieve was amazed when the competition turned real. Both of them were good.
She surveyed the room for a target. ‘Jason, have you ever played darts?’
Darien went into a fit, and Rielle quickly pulled him across the room to the Xbox games.
If there ever was a competitor, it was the former professional athlete. For once, Genieve met her match. She kept the game close, but in the end, he pulled out a win. ‘I’ll get you next time,’ she said, losing gracefully.
‘You’re not just a pretty face, Red.’
Genieve felt Brody move up behind her and his arms slid around her waist. ‘Are you having a good time?’ he asked.
‘The best.’
‘You’re going to be a great boss,’ he said. ‘They love you.’
She rubbed the back of his hand. ‘We’re going to make this work.’
‘Yeah, we are.’ He kissed her ear.
Genieve saw Jasmine hovering in the corner of her vision, and she reached out a hand. ‘Hi, Jazz. Are you having a good time?’
‘So much. Thank you for inviting me.’
‘Did you need something?’
‘Actually, could I…’ She glanced at Brody. ‘Could I have a moment of your time?’
‘Sure.’ Brody patted Genieve’s side. ‘I think Morgan needs to be schooled in Call of Duty.’
‘You’re kidding, right?’ the tough cop said, accepting the challenge.
Genieve pulled Jasmine over to the side, but saw the woman glance around hesitantly. ‘Let’s go down by the fireplace,’ she suggested.
They descended the spiral staircase to the living room below. The laughter and conversation spilled out of the overhead loft, but it wouldn’t bother them. It was private on the main floor.
Genieve turned on the fireplace and sat down on the sofa. ‘What can I do for you?’
The pretty black girl with the beautiful ringlets chose the lounge chair across from her. ‘Well, I don’t think Nina would be surprised by this, but I didn’t get a chance to ask her before the company switched hands.’
Genieve quickly thought through all the discussions she’d had with Nina. They’d wanted to have a smooth handover, but she couldn’t remember them talking about anything related to Jasmine.
‘So ask me,’ she said.
‘I know I haven’t been escorting for Luxxor very long, but I enjoy attending all the events and meeting people.’
‘Your clients like you, too.’
‘That’s just it,’ Jasmine said. She cupped her hands around her knee. She’d crossed her impossibly long legs, and the top one swung back and forth ever so nervously. ‘There’s one client in parti
cular…’
‘Congressman Craft?’ Genieve had been doing her homework. The ginger-haired politician with the farm-boy shoulders had seemed like an odd pairing on first glance, but Nina must have seen something there.
The woman nodded. ‘I know we’re not allowed to…you know…be intimate, but we get along well.’
Genieve waited.
‘Very well,’ Jasmine hinted.
‘And?’
The woman took a deep breath. ‘And I’ve heard whispers. I want to talk to you about the possibility of an exclusive contract…’
A Mischief Novel
When times get tough, how bad does a good girl have to get?
With bills piling up, Sienna signs a contract with Luxxor Escort Services. A contract that strictly forbids any sexual contact with clients…And then she’s assigned to companion Jason Sloan.
Discover more about Courting Trouble
A Mischief Novel
Even Nice Girls Have Needs.
Erin starts using matchmaker Luxxor Limited, not realizing that the company is truly an escort service. But she gets more than she bargained for when Luxxor sets her up with her big brother’s best friend.
Discover more about Courting Innocence
A Mischief Novel
Good Girls Finish Last
Rielle Sands ventured too close to the fire once and got burned. Now when it comes to men, she’s vowed to play it safe. But then a dashing, mysterious man shows up at Luxxor Limited after hours, the agency she manages, needing an escort.
Discover more about Courting Danger
A Mischief Novel
It’s difficult to run when you want to get caught…
Washington DC’s elite escort service, Luxxor is known for its beautiful companions and its discretion. Nina Lockwood – classy, gorgeous, and whip-smart – has spent years building this risky business, but everything is put in jeopardy when a bull-headed, sexy detective starts poking around. But when a Luxxor escort is found in a compromising situation with a prominent politician, the true cat-n-mouse game begins. Can Josh and Nina lower their guards to trust one another and give in to the attraction they both feel? Or will their suspicious minds keep them from seeing the true conspiracy going on behind the scenes?
Discover more about Courting Suspicion
About the Publisher
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United States
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Courting Gossip Page 25