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All heads turn toward her and she shrugs. “We’ve been trying to find a connection between Thompson and Quarter Mile since they turned up, and we’ve got nothing.”

“That doesn’t mean there isn’t one,” Wire points out.

“No. But it doesn't mean there is one.” Dammit I hate when Chewy makes sense. “You know we could just ask Thompson tomorrow at the fundraiser.”

Shit. I was so caught up in Willa’s ex I totally forgot about the gala.The one Thompson supposedly attends every year.

“We agreed we aren't going, Babe,” Rhodie rasps, eyes on Miles and not on Chewy’s eye roll.

“Yes, yes but we can still help out with surveillance.” He gives her a look. “From the comfort of our own home. Maybe.”

“Chewy!”

Chewy opens her mouth but Marx raises a hand, stopping her. “Miles is five days old, you just look after your son, Chewy. We got this. We got Rose Grove’s finest looking out for us.”

Fox and Nitro nod. “Moss is coming along for surveillance and protection. We’re keeping the rest of the department out of the loop until we know who the hell we can trust.”

“Makes sense,” Tank mutters.

“Remember, this is a public event. There will be a shit ton of fancy fuckers there. We need to blend in enough that we can get as much information as we can. So,” Marx looks around the table, “I’m only going to say this once. Not fucking fighting, no fucking scenes, and there will be no blood spilt. None.”

Marx stares at Pops across the table and the old coot has the gall to point to himself, with an innocent look on his face.

“Yes, you.”

“No need to tell me twice. Me and Debs will be on our best behaviour.” Pops crosses his heart before smiling innocently.

“And that goes for all of you and your Ol Ladies. I mean it. We ain’t a 1% club. We’re law abiding, upstanding citizens.”

“Whatever you say Prez,” Tav says, lips tipping up.

Marx gives us all the stink eye, before raising his fist, ready to beat the wall behind him but stopping when Miles squeaks.

“Dammit, kid,” he mutters, before tipping his chin and muttering, “Church dismissed.”

I slap his shoulder, giving it a squeeze before heading out. I got a woman to ask to the ball.

Willa

I stare at Mad Dog like he has lost his fool mind. Maybe he has. The man knocked on my door at 9pm. Who the hell makes a social call that late? Only people with a death wish do things like that. I’m in my pajamas, my feet are marinating in thick moisturiser and pedicure socks, and I have under eye stickies and pimple patches on. He’s damned lucky I opened the door to be honest. Although, we are friends now, which means he gets to see this version of Willa, and not the primped and primed version he had before.

“So, lemme get this straight, that rich dick that sent all those damned mercenaries to Joy’s house is attending a fundraising gala for some charity called ‘Better Lives’ and the DRMC have somehow gotten tickets and you’re asking me to go as your date so you can scope out the place, all undercover like. Is that what I’m hearing?”

“Pretty much,” he says, dark eyes on mine. His gaze searches my face, hovering on all the shit stuck to it, and I expect him to laugh, not give me a soft smile.

“Doesn’t that count as a date? Which is weird given that we-” I my finger points between the two of us, “are friends.”

“Yes -” Mad Dog’s finger mimics what mine just did, “we are friends. And in our short friendship I have learned that you like good food, and even better if it’s free. So, as my friend, would you like to accompany me to what will be a boring, schmoozy evening with insufferable rich people with free booze and food? It’s for a good cause.” He raises that brow and I know that I’m going to cave. Because he’s right. I love free fancy food.

Rolling my eyes I cross my arms over my chest. “Well, it’s a good thing I’m doing self care tonight.”

“Babe, you’d be the most beautiful woman there if you wore a garbage bag.”

“You’re too damn charming for your own good, Mad Dog.”

He winks at me, “But alas, not charming enough huh?” He turns on his heel, yelling over his shoulder, “See you tomorrow, babe.”

“Aye aye, captain!” I give him a lame salute and slowly close my front door only stopping when Mad Dog turns and stares up at me.