“You came!” Yve says as I walk through the door of Pretty Kitty a week after my showing at Noble Art—which Valentina called a smash hit. On top of buying the crown sculpture, Yve commissioned another piece, and I’ve been working on it for three days.

“I snuck away from working on a certain custom piece, so I hope the customer isn’t upset that it’s going to be a few more days in production.”

She smiles. “As long as you leave here with lingerie and a smile, I’ve got no complaints,” she says, crossing the room and wrapping an arm around me to squeeze.

Six months ago, I didn’t know what it was like to have women friends, but it seems I’ve been adopted by several, and hugs are now a commonplace thing. It’s crazy how life can change.

Before Kane came into my life, I was working at the distillery, assuming that’s what I was going to do with the rest of my life, and hadn’t had sex in forever. Now I’m in a lingerie store, surrounded by familiar faces, and I’m going to pick out some killer stuff so I can shock the hell out of my man and be a very bad girl.

In fact, I feel the urge to role-play coming back. We may not be able to go back to the club anymore because Kane doesn’t think it’s safe, but my need for what he gave me there hasn’t disappeared. I’ll just reclaim it at home.

A plan is already taking shape in my mind when I see Ariel holding up a sinful black bra-and-panty set.

Her eyes brighten when she sees me. “Hey, girl! You look fabulous. How are you doing? Are you okay? Can I do anything? Do you need anyone added to the no-fly list?”

Her over-the-top greeting reminds me just how much I like the girl genius who is more computer hacker than CEO.

“I’m good. Things are going well. Life is finding a new rhythm, and I’m hanging in there.” It’s hard not to tell her the truth, but keeping Rafe’s secret is at the top of the priority list, so I have no choice.

“Good. We were so worried about you. I even did a few things I shouldn’t have . . .”

Oh Jesus. “Like?”

She stares at the ceiling for a moment.

“Ariel?”

With a wince, she meets my gaze. “I hacked a few satellites and found out where it all went down. I know about the cover-up.” She keeps her voice low so no one can overhear her.

“Please tell me you haven’t told anyone.”

She glances over to where Keira stands near Yve, making sure the whiskey is being enjoyed.

“No. Everything I could figure led right back to a place I don’t want to mess with because I don’t have a death wish.”

I know she’s talking about Mount, and for the first time, I’m really glad he’s a super-scary mofo who is married to my former boss.

“You should definitely not dig any further into that situation,” I tell her, matching her tone of voice.

Ariel nods. “I got that. But . . . I’m still not going to feel okay about leaving it be until you get justice for what happened.”

“Oh Lord, what business are you sticking your nose into now?” The question comes from the gorgeous blonde stepping closer to us that I remember as Vanessa from the girls’ night I went to at Valentina’s.

“Not important,” I reply, just as Ariel says, “Nothing.”

“I’m around sneaky teenagers all day, and I know you’re both full of shit,” Vanessa says.

“Trust me when I say you don’t want to know,” I tell her.

Vanessa tilts her head. “Please tell me Ariel isn’t hacking into something that’s going to get you both killed.”

“I don’t do that stuff anymore.”

“Right. Like I believe that for a second.” She glances behind Ariel. “Where’s the laptop?”

“Yve forbid me from bringing it. Again.”

Vanessa shakes her head and laughs. “I can’t believe you actually left home without the thing.”

Ariel’s fingers twitch. “I usually don’t. You never know when you’ll need to hack into North Korea’s missile guidance system to save the free world.”

I let out an uncomfortable laugh, not sure if she’s joking or not.

“I’m off to buy something that’s going to blow Con’s mind. You two . . .” Vanessa looks at both Ariel and me like we’re as guilty as the teenagers she spends time around. “Stay out of trouble.”

As soon as she turns her back, Ariel shoots me a sideways glance. “If there’s information you need that you don’t want to talk about here, come to my place tomorrow.”

I give her a nod because I don’t want to get myself into any trouble. But . . . there’s definitely information I need. We need the connection between Giles and the human traffickers. We need to find Lagarto. And I want my brother home safe and sound.

“I don’t care what you’re talking about, but tonight is about lingerie,” Yve says, joining our group. “So go find some, drink the amazing whiskey, and spend all your money.”

“Girl, you don’t stock enough lingerie for us to spend all our money. Didn’t you know we’re ballers?” Ariel says with a smile.

Hearing her talk so easily and confidently about who and what she is gives me a new goal.

Someday I’m going to be a badass like Ariel.

The door chimes again, and I see another familiar face.

“You made it!” Yve calls, and the dark-haired gallery owner joins us.

“Pass up whiskey and driving my husband wild with something naughty? Wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Valentina sees me next. “Temperance! I’m so glad you’re here. I was going to call you in the morning because I need your wire-transfer information.”

Wire-transfer information. It makes me sound so fancy, which is definitely not the case.

“Whatever you need,” I say. “Although I have no idea what that information is.”

“I can get it for her,” Ariel says with a smile. “But you probably don’t want me to.”

“Oh Lord. Don’t get the girl started hacking into all our bank accounts. She’ll probably put more money in them because she’s a weird-ass benevolent hacker. Or start college funds for all our kids.” This comment comes from Yve.

Ariel flips her the bird with a smile as she sips a glass of water.

“Why are you drinking water and not whiskey?” Valentina asks, her eyes narrowed.

“Why do you think?” Ariel replies with a hint of attitude.

“Oh my God! Really? You’re—”

“Knocked up and can’t stop crying when I’m happy or feeling like I’m going to puke pretty much all the time.”

“Holy shit!” A woman with deep auburn hair walks in the door, and she gives a little shimmy. “The girl genius is knocked up! I didn’t expect to hear that tonight!”

“Elle! You came.” Vanessa squeals and hugs the woman.

As everyone catches up with the new arrival, my mind is stuck on what Ariel said. Crying all the time and constantly feeling like you want to puke . . .

No. Way.

Seriously. There’s no way I’m . . . I do the math in my head.

Not possible. Is it?

Maybe.

There’s a definite maybe.

I should be freaking the fuck out about the possibility of being pregnant, especially right now, but instead, a tiny kernel of hope blooms inside me.

The timing wouldn’t be great, and I’m not going to jump to conclusions, but . . . wow.

I bite down on my lip as my mouth curves into a smile. How crazy would that be? One thing is for sure, though.

I’m not saying anything until I know one way or the other.