Vanity was gorgeous, no denying that.
But as she’d often reminded him, looks weren’t everything. What Vanity didn’t seem to realize was that he found her even more beautiful inside than out.
“Stack?”
More and more around her, he had a hard time keeping on track. “Mom’s retired. She shouldn’t have to care for Tabby’s dogs.”
“Stack,” she said again, this time with censure. Dipping down, she kissed him. “Lynn loves those dogs as much as I do. As much as you do.” She rubbed her nose against his, then scooted to sit up beside him. “Plus, I think she’s lonely. She misses your dad so much.”
“I know.” Stack deeply appreciated Vanity’s empathy to others. She had a very big heart. “You think the dogs keep her company?”
“Yes. And they give her a focus.” Going thoughtful, she pulled her hair over her shoulder and began braiding it. “You know I’m right, you’re just set on being annoyed about it.”
Stack put his hands behind his head and enjoyed the view of Vanity naked, doing something so infinitely feminine. “I’m not annoyed. But I would like to see Tabby accept her responsibilities. For her, as much as for my mom. I think she’ll be happier if she does.”
“I agree, and I know she’s trying.”
Stack smiled. “You know something? You treat Tabby like a kid sister, but she’s eight years older than you.”
Vanity shrugged, which did interesting things to her bare breasts. “I’ve had an easier life than she has.”
It astounded him that she thought so. For most of her life Tabby had been spoiled by two loving parents, was still spoiled by their mother. Vanity came from a dysfunctional home, and now she had no one.
Stack immediately rethought that. She had him. She had his family. He wondered if she realized that.
Vanity eyed him. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Because you’re very special.” He lifted his chin. “Now come here and debauch me as promised.”
Gaze smoldering, she released her hair and leaned toward him.
With incomparable timing, his cell phone rang.
Vanity bounced back. “The bat signal!”
“It’s probably nothing.” Many times, the extra cells were used to share info, not for anything urgent. Using the cell with the special ringtone ensured the call would be answered, rather than put on hold for other, possibly more corporal pursuits.
The lost moment frustrated Stack. Rolling to sit on the side of the bed, he grabbed the cell, glanced at the caller ID and answered. “What’s up, Leese?”
Crowding in close behind him, her breasts to his back, Vanity draped her arms over his shoulders and listened in. To let her know he didn’t mind, Stack curled a hand over her forearm.
Leese said, “Sorry to call so early.”
“No problem. Assume it’s important.”
“Yeah, remember how that chick said a drug dealer had hired the guys to jump you? Now she says he’s been hired to kill you.”
Whoa. Slowly Stack stood; he couldn’t take the distraction of Vanity inciting his lust right now. “No shit?”
“That’s what she said. I was heading out for a jog early this morning, and she was at the park. I swear, I think she was waiting for me. She didn’t look like an early bird, and she wasn’t dressed to jog. She called me over and told me to tell you to watch your ass because the dealer was hiring better guys to make a second run against you.”
Stack whistled. Murder. Okay, so maybe he wouldn’t let it go after all.
“She also said the dealer had nothing against you, that someone else had hired him to arrange the hit on you.” Filled with disgust, Leese added, “From what I gathered, you were supposed to be beat near to death that first time.”
“And that’s the best they sent?”
With a shrug in his tone, Leese said, “Apparently the guy who paid the dealer was pissed that better men hadn’t been sent. From what she said, he’s out to correct that mistake this time.”
Leese drew a breath. “For the record, I pressed for her name, but she refused to share it. If you ask me, it’s so fishy it reeks, but I wanted you to know.”
Unbelievable. “I’ll talk to Cannon.” Until now, Stack hadn’t considered the situation too important. But this news changed everything. “He has an in with the cops.”
“Right. The detectives and lieutenant that were at his wedding. I remember.” Leese was silent a moment, then said, “Not sure how factual any of this is, but you should stay on guard.”