Page 46 of Filthy Little Lies

“I wasn’t able to do the seal on two of the documents,” I explain.

“It’s not a problem.”

“But without the seal they’ll be picked up as forgeries,” I continue as we walk along the pier.

“The seal will be placed later. Don’t worry about those. So long as the rest of the documents are well done.”

“They are,” I say with confidence. “The type setting was tricky, but I was able to find the right set in my kit. They won’t be able to tell the difference. The paper is even the right weight. I got lucky on that one. The watermark showed up on an image that was scanned online. I actually had some in my stash.”

A ghost of a smile tugs on the corner of his mouth. “You enjoy your work.”

“I like being good at something.” My cheeks heat.

The evening is still going strong. Families continue to explore the carnival rides. Music blasts from several of the restaurants we pass, and street entertainers continue their performances.

I stop at a man and woman, he’s playing the guitar and she’s singing a ballad. A small crowd has formed, and I stand at the back, watching over the shoulders of the people in front.

Gabriel runs his thumb across my palm. “You’re good at more than just forgery.”

I look up at him. He’s still facing the musicians.

“Was that a compliment? You should be careful; it might sound like you like me.”

He squeezes my hand hard. “Have I given you the impression that I don’t?”

“There is the constant threat of…well…you know.” I nod toward his belt.

He grins, and even though I’m only seeing his profile it’s enough to kick my heart rate up into a sprint.

“Do you think I would waste my time on anyone I didn’t like?” He licks at his bottom lip. “I have men who can easily deal with any annoyance. If I want a man’s skull crushed, I send a text. If I want a woman to warm my bed, I make a phone call.”

I can’t tell if he’s bragging about the amount of power he has over his and everyone else’s life, or if he’s really trying to show me that he doesn’t hate me.

“You’ll let me know if you make that phone call so I can move to the next room, right? I mean you take up a lot of the bed as it is, if you put another person in there with us—” I’m cut off with a kiss.

His hands frame my face, deepening the kiss until I forget what smartass comment I was trying to make.

“The guy I have to meet is here. Watch the performance; I’ll be right back.” He kisses me once more, then walks off down the pier.

The song changes to something more upbeat and the crowd sways with it. I step back so not to get bumped, and watch Gabriel step up beside a man in an equally long coat, staring out at the lake.

It’s a short conversation; then Gabriel hands him the envelope with my documents and his cash tucked inside. He stays a few more moments, slaps the man on the back, then turns and heads back to me.

His eyes catch mine, and I swear he smiles. But it’s gone in a flash as a man and a woman rush in front of him, cutting him off. When they pass, he’s back to looking his usual controlled self.

I wonder what exactly it would take to make that man crumble.

“He didn’t want to stay for the show?” I gesture over my shoulder at the pair belting out a new ballad. He picks a strand of hair from my cheek and tucks it behind my ear.

“He had other things to do.”

“If he works for you why did you have to put cash with the documents?”

“He doesn’t work for me directly. We have a partnership. The cash was so he could acquire the correct seals when he docks.”

“Seems like something someone with a lot less rank in your organization could handle. Why’d you have to take this meeting if it was only to give him the documents?”

“Such a detective tonight.” He slides his arm around my waist, pulling me into the warmth of his body, and leads me away from the performers.