Sasha entered her office in the club unable to stop the smile curving her lips. Before leaving the house, Rin had kissed Sasha breathless before gently putting her bemused and befuddled body into the passenger seat of Achilles’ car and warning him to make sure she stayed safe. Achilles had been very quiet, not saying a word and she had been lost in her own thoughts of her current situation. Chastity was waiting in her office. “Girl, you need to give me the details and now. You sent me a text message saying you were marrying Rin just before I started my shift at the hospital and then nothing since!” “You got off at six and I was finishing dinner with Sonny, Rin, and Viviana. I knew I’d see you here and tell you everything.” She looked to Chastity and frowned noting the sadness in her eyes, “Where’s Orion tonight?” “She’s back and took him from me. Showed up to pick him up at school. I had arranged for him to attend the after-school program until I got off, but she

Sasha was in a pair of jeans and a pretty pink silk blouse and frowning. “He said comfortable.”“But he gave you no other instructions?” Achilles leaned against the door of her office.“Nope. Just told me he was picking me up and to dress comfortable.”“Are you comfortable in the blouse?”“It’s a date, Achilles. Our first date. I don’t want to go out there in yoga pants and tank top.”“But are you comfortable.”“I’m not uncomfortable.”“You are difficult,” Achilles groaned. “No wonder he wants to tie you up and beat you.”Sasha put her a pair of running shoes on and grabbed her laptop bag and purse. “Let’s just go.”He motioned for her to lead the way out and after she set the alarm and locked the doors, he escorted her to the waiting escalade.Rin was leaning against the

They had picked a puppy. Rin wondered what Sonny was going to say when he and Sasha showed up to give him his medicine at six with a puppy in tow. The dog was now curled up in a crate secured on the back seat of the car next to Sasha. Sasha was tucked under his arm, her head resting on his shoulder as they sat quietly contemplating the last hour. “Coffee?” Rin asked her suddenly. He wasn’t ready for their date to end. “I have a favorite little coffee spot I usually stop at on my way home. They’re open twenty-four hours. They make a dark roast which reminds me of the one I get back in Italy.” “Great,” she agreed with a nod. “Do they make pastries?” “They do but not like you do,” he kissed the top of her head before knocking on the partition to let the driver know to stop for coffee. “Have you always baked?” She nodded, “I was about six when I got into trouble for stealing those prepackaged cupcakes from a local store in the neighborhood. The owner caught

“Oh, please do,” Marcello was excited. She approached Rin and the woman and smiled, “Hey Rin, who is your friend? What’s her name? You should introduce us.” Marcello’s guffaw told her she had played it well. Rin glowered, his lips twisting as he pointed at her, looking first back to Marcello knowing he’d tattled and then back to Sasha, “it might be a riding crop for you.” “I prefer the hand but I’m game to try anything.” She winked at him as he fought the upturn of his lips at her comment. “Who are you?” the blonde tried to push past Rin who blocked her. “Who is she Rin?” Sasha smiled sweetly and then looked to Rin, “introduce us. Surely you can introduce me to your friends. I can tell she is a friend by the way she keeps clutching at you.” He glowered at the blonde, “I told you to stop.” “She’s very grabby,” Sasha giggled as the woman’s fingers clenched and unclenched as if struggling to keep them to herself. She was quite out of control. Sasha found herself wondering if the

Sasha sat on the edge of Sonny’s bed and examined his leg. “It’s looking really good, Sonny. Another week and Chas might even let you back in the club.” His eyes were bright at the words, “do you think so?” “I do,” she grinned, “so long as you don’t let anyone else pop it open like an infected zit again.” “I’ll do my best. I miss my girls and my top-shelf whiskey.” “I bet,” she giggled as she began wrapping his leg. “Was it a good night last night?” “It was okay for a weeknight. I was distracted because I knew Rin was taking me out this morning.” She shot a glance in his direction as a yip from down the hall, the first one she’d heard since she had carried the coffee in floated in their direction. His frown of confusion almost made her giggle but she kept her eyes on his bandages. “What was that?” “What was what?” “I swear I heard a dog.” “Maybe Ang is up. She’s a bitch,” Sasha snickered at her joke and