Page 17 of Maximum Bet

Jesus Christ. I’m being ridiculous.

I rip myself away from the dress and trail behind Sadie toward the checkout counter.

I don’t know what’s wrong with me. Dominic and I have had this discussion. It’s not the right time for kids. There’s too much going on, with the Bratva and a drug cartel after us, and Dominic about to open a new hotel. Babies are a conversation for years down the road—after we’re married—after thingssettle.

We leave the store, Sadie chattering about her purchases and a trip to San Diego she wants to take once her baby is a few months old. She fell in love with the city when I took her out during my last visit to my father. I don’t remind her that the trip ended with my abduction to Mexico.

“Oh, hey.” Sadie interrupts herself to point across the walkway to a store. “La Perla?” she asks with a coquettish smirk.

I swallow and glance behind us, where Adam watches closely. So far, he’s followed us into each store we’ve been to. Besides the fact that I have no desire to browse lingerie with him nearby, I have a feeling that Dominic might slit his throat if this man sees the items that I wear in the privacy of my bedroom.

“Hmm.” Sadie understands, tilting her head in thought. “Do you think he’ll wait outside?” she whispers.

“I can try.” With a deep breath, I spin on my heel until I’m facing the six-foot-tall, intimidating Mafia associate. “Hey, Adam, Sadie, and I want to purchase some, uh,delicateitems. Do you think you could wait outside this store?”

Adam glances around, spotting La Perla immediately. He shifts on his feet and clears his throat. “I think that would be acceptable,” he says with a resolute nod.

“Perfect.” I release a relieved breath and tap Sadie’s arm, spurring her forward. “We won’t be too long,” I call over my shoulder.

Adam mutters that we should take our time as he perches on a planter ledge outside the store.

A soft floral scent greets Sadie and me as we enter. Modern lines and backlit displays set the store apart from others of its kind. Delicate silks and tantalizing laces create sultry bras and panties that would have any man weak in the knees.

On a mannequin in the center of the store, a piece catches my eye. It’s a black bodysuit, sheer, with lace covering the mostprovocative places. I turn to the rack and find my size as a saleswoman approaches.

“Can I start a dressing room for you?” The way the woman clocks my designer outfit and accessories tells me she’s picturing a hefty commission. “We have a bra and panties set in this same collection. I can grab those for you as well?”

I sigh. I’m still not accustomed to the overzealous customer service I tend to receive. “I’m okay. I’m just going to continue to browse,” I say, handing over the bodysuit to placate her.

After a few minutes, Sadie and I are in the dressing rooms, giggling as we give each other verbal reports from our individual stalls.

“Ugh, these don’t even fit under my giant belly,” she groans, dismissing another pair of panties. “And what’s the point in buying a designer bra that probably won’t fit me for months anyway?”

“What about that robe you were looking at?” I ask, adjusting a garter belt around my waist.

Sadie huffs as fabric rustles from her side of the wall. “It’s gorgeous, but I can’t rationalize spendingthat muchon something I just plan to wear in a hospital bed after giving birth.”

“I think you’ll get more use out of it than that.” I twist side to side, admiring the black bodysuit and matching garter. Dominic will be more than happy to fund this purchase. Set on buying the two items, I undress and slip back into my sundress.

Sadie’s curtain swishes as she pulls it to the side. “I don’t know. I’ll think about it.”

I purse my lips as I fix my hair in the mirror. I know that tone. Now that Sadie isn’t working, Lucas is financing her. He’s not Dominic-level wealthy, but he’s making a good income with his new position. Still, it’s hard for Sadie to spend his money on non-necessities.

Lucky for her, it’s becoming a lot easier for me to swipe Dominic’s AmEx whenever I feel the urge.

“Give me the robe.” I step from my dressing stall and hold out my hand.

“Cassie, no.” Sadie stares wide-eyed. “You are not buying it for me.”

“Yes, I am.” When she refuses to move, I reach into her stall and pull out the pink silk robe. It’s luxurious and beautiful. Exactly what a new mom should be wrapped in while she recovers from childbirth. “But you’re not getting it until your baby shower.” I wink, adding the piece to my bodysuit and garter.

“Wow.” Sadie follows me to the register, not so subtly wiping moisture from under her eyes. “Damn hormones.” She chuckles. “Thank you, Cassie. This is really sweet of you.”

“You’re my best friend,” I say as I place my purchases on the counter. “You deserve only the best.”

For a moment, we allow the reality of what I’ve said to sink in. Sadie truly is the best friend I’ve ever had, and after everything we’ve been through, we’ll be bonded for life.

The perky salesgirl appears behind the register, thrilled to ring up my nearly one-thousand-dollar purchase.