Snow Blind - Lori G. Armstrong [139]
“Bottom line is Jackal killed three people in the last two weeks. He tried to kill three more. That says defective human. Like Melvin Canter, Jackal couldn’t be rehabilitated. Goddammit, I tried. And look where it got me. I almost lost you. I won’t be forgetting that anytime soon.”
“So, Jackal usurped your authority, turned your employees against you, killed an Hombres guard, killed Trina, tried to kill you, tried to kill me—does that mean his death was a business-related hit?”
“As far as my business associates know? Yes. But in my mind, it was personal. I won’t apologize for it.”
“I don’t expect you to.” My fingers traced the lacy ice pattern on the glass. “Jackal said you took something that belonged to him and he wanted it back. What was it?”
Martinez didn’t answer right away. “If I tell you, things will change between us.”
“Why?”
“Because even though it might not seem like it, you are the one thing in my life that doesn’t have anything to do with Hombres business. I’d like to keep it that way.” He feathered kisses by my ear. “You know I don’t sell puppies, blondie.”
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“I pretend you do.”
He chuckled.
“Dealing with law enforcement is part of my business. Will that be an issue for you?”
“Not unless you’re meeting with them to turn me in.”
“I’d never do that.”
“I know.” He buried his mouth in my hair.
“What’s really on your mind?”
“I’ve been thinking. You talked about permanence. I want that. I’m tired of living apart. I want to exist in the same space, all the time, not just three nights out of seven.”
Silence.
Way to throw your needy self out there, Julie.
“Say something, dammit.”
“It’s about fucking time.”
I smiled. “There’s no reason for me to live here anymore. I don’t work for the county. I’m making a permanent break with the Collins family. I’m tired of the drive. You and all my friends live in Rapid.” I turned my head to look at him. “I don’t suppose we can live at Casa Martinez full-time?”
“Not possible. It’s gotta stay off the radar, because it’s the one place I feel completely safe. It’s the one place I feel I can keep you safe. It’s the one place where we can truly be alone.”
“So I guess I’ll live above the goddamn strip bar if it’s an issue of your safety and if you’re concerned about mine.”
“A temporary fix, I promise. We’ll find someplace in town that’s ours. That’ll work for both of us. Might 495
take a few months.”
“I’m okay with that.”
As I leaned into Martinez, I saw the sky was clear. No snow, giving me the perfect view of Bear Butte. It was funny, how long I’d hated that chunk of rock. How long I’d lived in its shadow. Now that I’d finally made peace with it, I’d be moving away from it. For good. I deserved a fresh start. And I’d go into it with my eyes wide open.
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Three weeks later . . .
Page 29
The Senior Citizen News
(Rapid City)—Prime Time Friends COO Bradley Boner, and Rory Linderman, CEO of Linderman Properties Limited, announced the appointment of Amery Grayson as the new executive director of the senior volunteer organization. This is following the dismissal of Luella Spotted Tail, former director, who was released from her duties last week, amidst (unconfirmed) rumors of financial mismanagement. In her first official statement, Ms. Grayson confirmed her grandfather, the late Vernon Sloane, had left five million dollars to the organization “for the betterment of all seniors.” Ms. Grayson has stated her intention to create a friendlier senior volunteer organization, dedicated to the mental health and safety of the elderly, especially those afflicted with Alzheimer’s, after the tragedy in February that claimed her grandfather’s life. The newly minted director hopes to expand Prime Time Friends, a not-for-profit organization, beyond the current facility, Prairie Gardens Assisted Living Center, and other LPL properties, into every elderly healthcare facility in town, and eventually across the state. 497
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