Read Red Roses in Las Vegas for Free Online Page B

“It could mean anything. I’m sorry.”
    I sighed, and Glenn looked at Nanna sympathetically. “I feel awful about this. Tiffany talks about you a lot – I wish we’d met under happier circumstances.”
    I smiled to myself as he, Karma and Nanna chatted for a bit. Nanna was dating Nathan, and Glenn seemed pretty happy with Karma, but I couldn’t help hoping that maybe something would happen between Nanna and Glenn in the future. I couldn’t think of a better couple.
    ***
    Just as we’d all settled in with our meals, my mother called.
    “How’s your nanna doing?” she asked. “Is she really planning to stay at your place? We can pick her up tonight, if she’s too much trouble. I know you don’t have any food in your fridge.”
    Her voice was a little hoarse, as though she’d been crying, and I said, “No, it’s fine. She seems to want to stay here a few days.”
    “But what about food?”
    “She’s going shopping with Ian.”
    “Hmm. What about lunch?”
    “We’ll eat out.”
    “Ok, well, don’t let her eat anything unhealthy. You know she’s got stiff arteries.”
    Nanna was already digging into her fries like she hadn’t eaten in a week. She’d probably had nothing but health food for the last few months, and now I was the Jezebel who’d reintroduced her to this vice. Best not to mention that to my mother. I changed the topic and told her that I’d be looking into Adam Bitzer’s death and that Nanna would be fine. We chatted a bit more and then I hung up, having successfully avoided mentioning McDonald’s.
    On the ride to the gun range, Stone and I sat together in companionable silence for a few minutes. We’d just left Paradise Road when Stone said, “So, Ian’s going to be your partner, huh.”
    “He only told you about a dozen times.”
    “Might not be so bad.”
    “It’ll be terrible .”
    The corners of Stone’s lips went up. “Then why do you put up with him?”
    I shrugged. “He’s kind of like an orange-haired puppy. I can’t just kick him to the curb, now that he’s decided to follow me around.”
    “Hmm. Well, who knows, he might be helpful sometimes. He kept mentioning how he saved your life, once.”
    “Ugh. That was a lucky fluke. Although, I suppose I was glad he was there.”
    “Get him to join you in Krav Maga class. Maybe he’ll be more useful, then.”
    “Sure. I’ll take him with me next Wednesday.”
    I wasn’t going to Krav Maga next Wednesday, but Stone just glanced at me and let the white lie slide. “What’re you going to do about this investigation?”
    I looked out the window and watched the palm trees race past us. “I’m not sure yet. I haven’t been able to think straight, with Ian yammering away right next to me. But I guess I should talk to the victim’s family. Although it’d be easier to start with his workplace.”
    “How so?”
    We were pulling up in front of the range, and I put a hand on my seatbelt. “Jack’s friends with the owner of Verdant Wealth, where Adam used to work.”
    Stone looked at me, and I tried to read his dark eyes, but failed.
    “And Jack couldn’t think of a better place to take you for the first date,” he said.
    “He was teaching me to break in,” I admitted.
    Stone looked at me steadily for a few more seconds, and then he said, “Be careful around this guy. He’s already gotten you into trouble once.”
    I frowned. “He hasn’t gotten me in trouble.”
    “He got lucky, this time. The guy’s bored with his life and he’ll keep trying more and more dangerous things, just for fun. I don’t want you getting dragged into all that.”
    “He’s a nice guy. And I like him. Why do you care?”
    Stone reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind my left ear. “I’m concerned about you and I don’t like Jack.”
    Our eyes locked, and I could still feel Stone’s fingertips where they’d brushed against my earlobe.
    “Really?” I said softly. “Then who do you think I should be