as she shook her head. She glanced over at Samantha with both an amused and frustrated look. “Learn from Asher, he’s being a grown-up.”

That caused both Leo and Ezio to laugh.

“What’s so damned funny?” Eden frowned.

“He’s only acting like a grown-up because you’re snagged and bagged,” Leo said as he motioned to the two of them sitting beside one another.

“Hey, don’t use that term about my fiancée. I did not snag and bag her. I got down on one knee and captured her heart.”

Samantha saw Eden snuggle a little closer to Asher.

Leo snorted.

“Leo,” Eden said sharply. “Tell us what you’ve found out from Martin. We need to know it’s safe for her to go back to her apartment.”

“Absolutely right,” Ezio agreed.

Leo gave Samantha a soft look. “The Wig Casino was new to them, so this is a big score for the Vice squad. But they’ve been on the lookout for the floating poker game for months. This thing has been held all over Virginia Beach. Greg and Phil talked to the Vice Squad last night and Martin said that they were able to pick out two of the guys out of the mugshot book. So, we’re cooking with gas.”

“They went to the police department last night?” Samantha asked.

“Yes,” Asher answered. “We called Leo who conferenced us into Martin. He met us at the precinct. They didn’t get out of there until about ten o’clock this morning.”

“Do I have to go?” she asked Leo.

He nodded his head. “Yeah, Martin told me the Vice Detectives want to talk to you, too.”

“Is she going to get into any trouble?” Ezio asked as he put his arm more securely around Samantha. She liked that, it made her feel protected.

“No, if Phil and Greg didn’t you can be damn sure that Samantha won’t,” Leo said with an easy smile.

“When does she need to go in?” Ezio asked.

“Uhm-um,” Samantha cleared her throat. Ezio looked down at her and his high cheekbones took on a red tint.

Good.

“Yes, Leo, what time do I need to go in?” Samantha asked sweetly.

“Martin said today or tomorrow.”

“I vote for today; the sooner these men are apprehended, the sooner I can get back to my apartment.”

“You’re welcome to stay at my place—” Leo started.

“She’s staying here,” Ezio growled.

“Calm down, man, he’s fucking with you,” Asher drawled.

“You guys are out of your ever-loving minds. There is just too much testosterone in this room. Sam, I don’t know about you, but I’m thirsty. Wanna follow me into the kitchen?”

“You know, you can just say you need to go and talk about us,” Ezio said as Sam got up off of the couch.

“Hey, Ezio,” she looked down at him.

“Yeah,” he looked up at her with a big grin.

“Eden and I are going to go into your kitchen to talk about you guys. If it turns out we like any of you, we might get you something to drink.”

“Hey, I didn’t do anything, I should get a drink,” Asher protested.

“You’re friends with these two, so you’re on probation,” Eden waved over her shoulder as she followed Sam into the kitchen.

“Okay, spill it,” Eden said as soon as she had Samantha alone. You two are as cozy as two swans.”

“Huh?”

“They’re pretty, and once they find their mate, they’re all over one another and don’t leave each other’s side.”

“Eden, you know the weirdest trivia.”

Eden held out her hand, palm up. “Scoopage please.”

“There’s no scoopage. We like one another. I think, and think is the important word in this sentence, I think that we both want to know where this might go. But right now, it’s way too early to know. I’ve caught his eye for the moment.”

“Jesus, girlfriend, a man doesn’t give his friend the third degree about a woman who has just ‘caught his eye’. Kevie Boy sure did a number on your self-esteem.”

“Want some orange juice?” she asked Eden. Eden shook her head. Sam pulled a glass out of the cupboard and the bottle out of the fridge and poured herself a glass. “Eden, my self-esteem is fine. I swear it. I just don’t want to assume anything. I’m taking this one day at a time.”

“Okay, honey. Look, the main reason I brought you in here was to tell you that the guest room at our house is open for you. The only reason I let Ezio whisk you away last night is that we had the house full with Phil, Greg, Toni, and David and you looked dead on your feet. I did right by you, didn’t I?”

“Absolutely,” Samantha assured her friend.

“So, no scoopage? You’re sure?”

“You still haven’t told me what all went on in Argentina when Asher rescued you. Care to share that?” Samantha raised an eyebrow.

“I told you, a lot of that is classified.” Eden was definitely uncomfortable, and Samantha laughed.

“No scoopage from you, means no scoopage from me. Thems the rules.”

“You’re no fun.” But Eden was smiling.

“And anyway, you’re lying. You’ve got your brother coming to visit on Monday and Tuesday before he gets ready for the big trade show at the Virginia Beach conference center next weekend. So, don’t B.S. me. That room is taken.”

“Pete can stay at a hotel.”

“For that matter, so can I.”

“No, you can’t. You need to be protected,” Eden hissed at her. “Asher can take care of you.”

“So can Ezio. If he’s okay with me staying with him until those men are caught, then I’m staying here.”

Eden smirked. “There is so definitely scoopage.” Then she stuck her head out of the kitchen. “What do you want to drink?”

“Nothing,” Asher hollered back. “We’re all leaving. Ezio is going to take Samantha to the precinct. Leo called his brother and he’s expecting her.”

The women strolled

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