“You go watch your shows,” Ryan said. “Liv and I will cook dinner.”
Gram sighed, as if she was the most dramatic human in the world. Of her many personality quirks, that was Ryan’s favorite. Had Gram been like that before the tumor? She would never know, but Ryan loved her as if she was her own grandparent.
“How was your day?” Liv asked, looking at Ryan with the smile in her eyes that sent Ryan’s stomach tumbling.
Ryan turned her face away from Liv, distracting herself with giving Mocha scratches behind her ears. She had been found diligently sitting in front of Liv’s campaign, unhurt but now howling at everyone she didn’t know. “I saw Ruby and the kids.” Ryan’s face tensed, and so did the rest of her. Dane’s wife had filed for divorce after his arrest, and now Ruby was raising two children under four on her own. Ryan and the other honest police officers did what they could.
“I’d like to meet her sometime,” Liv said.
Ryan looked at her, startled. “I’d like that.” It was one of the first times Liv had expressed interest into truly coming into Ryan’s world and stepping outside of her family’s bubble.
“I heard Veronica was sentenced today?” That wasn’t really a question, coming from Liv. Certainly someone had told her at the café.
“Fifteen years to life,” Ryan confirmed. “Life without parole for both Dane and Ross, most likely. Their convictions will take a while longer.”
“What a waste of life.” Liv looked out the window, her eyes sad. “Did they find the drug runner?” Mocha wandered over to her next, butting her leg with her head.
“Caught him last week trying to flee the country. He’ll be arraigned next.”
Liv shook her head, as if she couldn’t believe the entirety of what had happened.
Ryan couldn’t blame her. Her words were quite true. In Ross’s drive for money, he’d destroyed several families. Cairo’s was irreparably damaged, her mother’s only comfort being the proceeds of Cairo’s poker career.
What little good that did.
Steven was losing business, his life falling apart after the accusations. Even the conviction of someone else for the crimes did little to quiet the town’s gossip, especially since rumors were still flying that he was tied to the ring one way or another.
The DEA had a task force working on rounding up Ross’s associates in Boren and he was watched round-the-clock in jail to ensure that he didn’t escape. They’d found his real identity, Ian Edgett, a former drug kingpin on the east coast who’d fled prosecution.
“I’ve got to open tomorrow.” Liv stifled a yawn.
“I have an overnight shift tomorrow.” Ryan grinned. Their jobs often kept them working opposite shifts, but all it did was make them cherish the time they had together more.
“Too bad the coffee shop isn’t twenty four seven.” Liv wasn’t actually that sorry, but it was a nice thought.
“But once you’re done, you’re done.” Ryan gave her a kiss. “And there are plenty of other perks of having a barista for a girlfriend.” She grinned. “The free coffee, for example.”
Liv nudged her with her hip, grinning. “I’d go bankrupt in a week if I gave you free coffee every time you wanted it.”
“I don’t drink that much.” Ryan looked offended.
Liv snorted.
“I love you,” Ryan said, the words softening her. She really did. She had always loved Liv, that much was true.
“I love you too.” Liv kissed her, their eyes closing.
No matter what had happened, they would have each other. Forever and always.
Liv’s eyes opened, then narrowed. Ryan looked at her, a sexy look on her face.
“Does that mean Gram gets to keep Mocha in her rooms now?”
Gram cackled from the living room. “You betcha!”
THE END
Hi Reader!
Book 5! It feels like a milestone, and I hope readers enjoy it as much as I did! I really enjoy writing romantic suspense and enjoy the challenge of twining the romance and the mystery together so that you get an equal bit of both. I also hope no one ever gets a look at my google history! Hah! Occupational hazard, for sure. Whether you’re a repeat reader or someone new to my work, I am really grateful that you took time out of your busy day to read my book! It would mean a lot to me if you could take a minute and leave a review of Poker Face on Amazon, or even Goodreads. Reviews make a big difference in the success of independent authors like me, and I really want to know what my readers think and what they would like to see more of! If you’d like to read more of my work, here are quick links:
Shattered Hearts
. Falling For You
I Spy
Necessary Sacrifice
If you want to see sneak peeks into my books and into my life, please follow me at facebook.com/noellewintersbooks (I post photos of both Mocha and her little “sister” Chai!). Each new book will be released at 3.99 for the first 24 hours and I send out a special notification to my mailing list/FB page! If you would like to be notified when a book is freshly released, please please please sign up for my newsletter here:
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Also - feel free to drop me an email at [email protected]! Or a message on my FB page! I love hearing from you. It makes a writer’s day, that’s for sure. :)
I hope you are well, dear reader, and I hope to see you again soon!
Noelle
