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Page 51 of Brian and Mina's Holiday Hits

“One and the same,” Gabe says. “And, do you remember Julie?”

I raise a brow. “I’m not sure what you think is wrong with my memory, but yeah… that girl you moped over for months? Pretty sure I remember.”

He points at the table Mina is sitting at. She seems to be involved in a discussion with the famous Julie. “I found her in Dmitri’s establishment. I want that motherfucker and all his men dead. Do you think you and Mina can handle it?”

“Not for free. I only do jobs specifically for the house, unless it’s a contract.”

“Since when did you care about the money?”

I shrug. “I’m not your pit bull, Gabe.”

“How much?”

“I’ll do it for a couple million.”

“What? That’s insane!”

“That’s me and my girl’s going rate, now. Take it or leave it.”

“Fine. I’ll take it.”

“Mina!” I shout across the cafeteria.

She turns to look at me, all demure. “Yes, Master?”

I have to fight the eye roll. Do people in this house really buy this anymore? I glance around the room. Clearly they do. I guess the reality of our actual relationship would be too surreal for them to consider. I motion for her to join us and then we go with Gabe to iron out the details.

TWENTY-SEVEN

mina

I let outa low whistle when Brian steps out of the bathroom, Friday night. My brain is barely able to comprehend what I’m seeing. Brian, in a suit.

Brian. In a suit.

“Mina? Are you okay?”

I shake my head. “I am not okay. You’re wearing a suit. You look so… suave.”

He smirks.

“Like James Bond,” I add helpfully.

“You could have stopped at suave.”

Fair enough.

“Where are you going?” I don’t know if I want to let him out of the house looking like this. I mean I know his energy doesn’t exactly invite a lot of women to cozy up to him, but still.

“Where arewegoing,” he corrects.

“Where arewegoing?” I ask, playing along, but on the inside, I’m excited. And more importantly, what am I wearing?

He answers both my spoken and unspoken question by laying a black garment bag across the bed and handing me a thick cream-colored invitation on Crane stationery.

“I scored this invite to the Windsor Estate tonight.”

I goggle at the envelope in my hand. “I thought you said the job wasn’t until Halloween. That’s still almost six weeks away. We’re not ready.”