I walked into the media room to find Alex pulling double-duty: periodically glancing at a football game on the big screen, while thumbing through a magazine. He flashed his pearly whites at me, as I scooted next to him on the couch.

“So, what did Rain tell you about our little discussion,” I asked.

“The same thing he always says when you look for ways to dump him just before a big job.”

“But I didn’t dump him,” I said, sitting back and crossing my legs. “Hell, he dumped me.”

“Yeah, but I know you made it easy.” Alex grinned and tossed the magazine onto the table. “To be honest, I think he’s pretty bent out of shape on this one. Maybe you should have kept the details to yourself.”

“Damn, you’re telling me that the one time I try to be completely honest, he can’t handle it?”

“Come on, Yanni, cut him some slack. The man loves you. You know that and I know that. And, baby girl, you got to admit that no man likes to know his woman is flaunting his shit around. You should have kept that on the low.”

“Oh, so now you giving me daddy advice?”

“Nah, I’m just being real. And while we’re on the subject of daddies, did you alert your father to the fact that you’ll be poking around in his backyard?”

“I’ll get around to it. Besides, he’ll understand. He knows it’s part of the job.”

“Yeah, but things of this nature are best served as an appetizer. You know how things have a tendency to turn crazy in a heartbeat—not to mention we'll be dealing with a loose cannon. Damien isn't—”

“Alex.”

“What?”

“Don’t start with me.”

“I’m just saying—”

“Look, I know you just want to make sure everything goes smoothly, but I got this. OK?”

“Hey, you’re the boss.”

“I am not the boss. We’re partners. Equal partners.”

“Well, if we’re so equal, why haven’t I ever been introduced to that brickhouse you call your childhood friend?” He burst into laughter, ducking the pillow I tossed his way.

I was actually quite surprised that Alex had finally gotten to the point where he'd consider a relationship with another woman. After the death of his wife and child, he'd been pretty frank about not putting his heart into anyone or anything except his work.

For just a moment, I thought about introducing the two of them, but it had been a lot of years since Starlet and I had been close. I didn't want to risk either of them being hurt by the other. 

“Starlet is off limits," I said, chuckling. "Do you hear me? The girl has been through hell, and the last thing she needs right now is a man further confusing her.”

“I don’t want to confuse. Stroke those thick thighs, but confuse her? Never!”

“Stop!” I said, laughing so hard my sides hurt. “You will not go near Starlet until, and unless, you’re needed. You got that?”

“Yeah,” he replied grudgingly, as he dug into his back pocket and pulled out his wallet. He flashed the small full-length photo of Starlet I’d left on the kitchen counter. “In the meantime, can I hold on to this?”

“There’s something wrong with you—seriously.” I stood up and straightened the wrinkles in my pants. “Let’s get some breakfast before it gets cold or Red wakes up and devours it. After tomorrow, it might be a long time before I taste cooking as good as Bobbie’s.”

“I doubt that seriously,” Alex said, as I began climbing the stairs to the first floor, “somebody’s feeding Starlet real good . . . so good I’m hungry just thinking about her.”

"I did say there was something seriously wrong with you, right?"