Free Dangerous Love by Ednah Walters, E. B. Walters

back and sat. “Who’s your handsome knight? Is he married?”
    A collective groan filled the room. Sissy recently kicked out husband number two, a man ten years her junior, and was searching for number three.
    “Lay off the booze, Sissy,” Eliza Goldschmidt warned bluntly. “It will mess up your skin and age you before your time. You also act slutty when drunk.”
    Sissy sipped her drink, a feral smile curling her cherry-colored lips. “You should try acting slutty some time, my dearest Eliza. Might do wonders for your cranky old ass.”
    “I’ve got a man,” Eliza retorted.
    Sissy dismissed the comment with a wave. “With one foot in the grave.”
    “And I’ve kept him happy for twenty-five years,” Eliza continued as though Sissy hadn’t spoken. “Try keeping one before you take me on, woman.”
    “Enough, girls,” Monique VanderMarck, the oldest and the quietest of the group, cut in. “You’re making us look bad in front of the child.” She waved toward Faith who was watching the women with wide eyes. They smiled as they’d thrown the salvos, which meant their bickering was not unusual.
    “Sissy, the young man’s name is Kenneth Lambert and he’s already taken. Isn’t that right, sweetie?” Estelle smiled at Faith.
    Please, don’t throw me to these lionesses. She wouldn’t last. From the way they were staring at her, they expected an answer.
    “Mr. Lambert and I are business associates. That’s it.” Yeah right, a tiny voice mocked in the back of her head. From the cocked brows and pursed lips, the women weren’t buying her explanation either. Let them believe whatever they liked. She was tired of denying there was anything between her and Ken. “I need to call him.”
    Estelle gripped her arm, stopping her from getting up. “Not yet. We want to know why he threw Sean out of your store. Does it have anything to do with the stolen designs?”
    “No.”
    “Then what’s going on?” Barbs added.
    Eliza wagged a finger. “Don’t try to blow us off with your usual, ‘it’s nothing I can’t handle.’ Too often nothing turns into something faster than you can blink.”
    “I agree with Eliza, which is not something I do often.” Sissy made a face.
    Eliza opened her mouth to respond, but Monique intervened again. “Let the child speak,” she snapped, raising her voice, a rarity in itself.
    Once again, five pair of eyes locked on Faith. When they pulled a united front like that, there was no chance of going against their wishes. Sighing, she explained about what happened, which led to how she’d hired Ken and what he was doing inside her store. Nods and frowns followed her explanation.
    “He’s smart, that one,” Estelle said. “But he’ll need our help.”
    “Yes,” the others chorused.
    “No,” Faith sputtered. “I mean why? Ken has everything under control.”
    Estelle’s eyebrow lifted. “Does he? The online video says otherwise. You said he refused to break into Sean’s office. How else will you know what designs that odious man stole from you? We’re willing to help.”
    The thought of these women sneaking into Sean’s office in the middle of the night was inconceivable. Faith shook her head. “No, you can’t. It’s dangerous and against the law.”
    “Oh don’t misunderstand, dear,” Barbs added, laughing. “We don’t intend to break any laws.”
    “Or get caught,” Aunt Estelle added.
    “We have a plan,” Barbs added.
    “What?” Faith’s voice was a tiny screech.
    Her aunt’s expression grew serious. “We have an appointment with Sean tomorrow. Now, don’t look horrified. Let me finish. We’ll go to him with specific designs in mind, namely, what you’re already making for us. If he produces replicas, we’ll know for sure he stole them and your man can go in and get them back.”
    Faith mulled over their plan. This could give her the proof she needed. On the other hand, her parents had drummed into her the importance of depending on herself