Adrienne Giordano - Incognito

INCOGNITO

A Lucie Rizzo Mystery, Book 7

Mob princess Lucie Rizzo can't catch a break. Or take one. Building a business empire is hard work, even without her family's notoriety. Staying out of trouble isn't exactly her forte. Still, Lucie could use a vacation from Chicago winters and the town where everybody knows her father's name. So when a certain Irish cop promises warmer days-and hotter nights-Lucie sees an offer she can't refuse.

Detective O'Hottie sweeps her away to the land of sun, sand, andretirees? Before the real romantic getaway begins, Tim wants to visit his Uncle Henry. Or, to be exact, Tim's mom wants the goods on Henry's new girlfriend. Ha! Family drama without a Rizzo involved. What could a sweet, 50-something woman be hiding? Not a lot, judging by the amount of cleavage on display. Holy cannoli, Henry's Mattie could give Lucie's bombshell BFF a run for her money.

It's more than just the skintight leopard print making Tim do a double take. The details don't add up. Mattie's not being completely honest-and Lucie smells a rat. Uncle Henry's gal pal isn't who she claims to be. But is Mattie playing a long con, or is she the victim? Either way, Lucie is getting caught in a dangerous game.

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Published by ALG Publishing, LLC

G et out.

Lucie glanced up from the report shed just shoved into her to-do folder. A very large one that sat on top of all the others shed prepared for Roseanne.

Across from her, Ro sat at her desk in the Coco Barknell headquarters, a long, red-tipped finger spearing the air. With the way she jabbed that finger, Lucies BFF meant business.

Lucie set her hand on the stack of reports, to-do lists, and schedule changes. Listen, smart mouth, by tomorrow morning youll be thanking me. This is everything youll need while Im gone.

Rising from her chair, Ro cornered the desk, her three-pounds-lighter hips swinging as she double-timed it to Lucie. She held out a hand and pointed to the door with the other. Give me those. And get out.

Lucie glanced at TimOHottie as Ro called himher Chicago PD detective boyfriend of six months. In that time, Lucie had learned a lot about Tim OBrien, and that tight-lipped, Im-about-to-lose-my-shit look hed pinned on her didnt bode well for the start of their vacation. One that included visiting his favorite uncle near Palm Beach for a few days before going to the Keys. For weeks hed been heading off any possible issues that would impede their trip.

Now, with her stalling, OHottie might finally be hitting the upper boundary of his patience. With Tim, that was saying something. The man was destined for sainthood, no doubt.

Still, she didnt want to start their trip off with an argument. Not after theyd sprung for the mighty expensive first-class upgrade. Im almost ready, she said.

Luce, please. Our flight is in ninety minutes. And its rush hour.

Swear to God, Ro said, If you dont get out, Ill kill you where you stand. She yanked Lucies hand from the stack of reports and shoved her, literally, to the door. Go. Were all adults. The business wont collapse because youre on vacation. And, you know, theres this terrific invention called a telephone. If we need you, well call. She swung the office door open and did a little toodles wave. Buh-bye now.

When Lucie didnt move, Ro clasped her elbow and squeezed. Hard.

Ow. You dont have to get nasty.

Sister, youve worked your ass off building this company and finally have enough backup to take a well-deserved vacation. I promise you, weve got this. Ill cover the phones and client calls. Joey will handle the dog-walking side. Were all good. Please. Trust me.

Of course she did. Theyd been friends since grammar school. If there was anyone she trusted with her business, it was Ro.

But this wasnt about that. This was about control and giving it up.

They stopped at the door and Lucie turned back to Tim. The overhead light reflected off red hair that, in days, would slip to strawberry blond under the suns rays. With his fair skin, hed need a gallon or twelve of sunscreen. He scooped up her suitcase and carry-on, his yummy muscles handling them with ease. Theyve got it, Luce. Theyll call if they need you. Now, please get your cute little ass moving before we miss this flight. Thatd definitely piss me off.

Everyone wanted her out. After everything shed put into growing Coco Barknell, none of them could understand what it took to leave. Sure, Ro had been there from the beginning, helping Lucie expand her one dog-walking client to a pet care and handmade accessories company. Want an animal print vest for your poodle? Coco Barknell provided it. Plus sizes too.

In the last year, theyd gone from Lucie running things on her own to employing three full-timers and two part-time dog walkers. And for the first time, Lucie was turning over the reins.

A lot could happen in ten days. Total annihilation, for example.

Girlfriend, Ro said, waving her hand to encompass the room, I know this is killing you, but I promise Ill take care of everything. Ive always got your back.

She looked back at Ro, whod kicked the crap out of Tiffy Nelson in the third grade and showed that bully why she should never, ever pick on Lucie. Through twenty years of friendship theyd shared first loves, heartbreaks, and Lucies conflicted feelings about the notoriety that came with being mob boss Joe Rizzos kid.