Broken Toy [Suncoast Society] (Siren Publishing Sensations) by Tymber Dalton Page A

was no way she’d ever visit a BDSM club or munch or coffee group, even though she knew there was an active scene in the area. Not unless she was doing it as part of an undercover investigation. She couldn’t risk the possibility of running into someone she worked with.
    Or worse, someone she’d arrested.
    Normally when faced with personal conundrums such as this, she chose the easiest or most logical option. Retreat, forget about it, ignore it, don’t do it. Stay home.
    Deny yourself.
    She stared at the line of amigurumis on the coffee table.
    Is this what my life boils down to? A notation on the donation sheets of several charities, and my name listed as investigator on too many cases to count?
    She thought about Rachel. During their last talk just weeks ago, she’d counseled the girl to take personal risks despite the possibility of failure. That failure was always an acceptable option as long as you tried your best.
    Maybe for once I should heed my own advice.
    No one knew her here. She was all the way across the state, for chrissake. If nothing else, maybe she could, for once, not spend an evening totally alone.
    After finishing her meal, she washed out the plastic bowl and put it in the recycling bin to take downstairs when she emptied the trash. Returning to her computer, she shut it down, closed the lid, and returned it to the counter.
    I don’t need to decide tonight.
    She sat on the couch, picked up her hook and yarn, and descended once more into her safe crochet haze.
     
    * * * *
     
    By the time Gabe reached the restaurant the next evening, she’d talked herself into not joining the munch group. Why do something like that when she wouldn’t be here that long anyway? It was stupid and pointless, and she was kidding herself if she thought she should try it.
    Then she realized how full the parking lot was.
    When she walked in, the main dining room appeared full, with several couples and groups waiting in the lobby.
    She walked up to the hostess, who looked up with a cheerful smile. “Hi, welcome to Ballentine’s.”
    “Um, how long for a table?”
    “For one?”
    She nodded.
    “It’ll be at least thirty minutes, I’m sorry. Would you like to wait?”
    A couple walked in and waved to the hostess, who nodded and waved them through.
    Before she could think about it, Gabe asked, “No offense, but why did they go in?”
    “They’re with a group who’s reserved our meeting room tonight.”
    “The Suncoast Society?”
    The hostess brightened. “Yes. Are you with them?”
    “Um, yeah. Sorry, guess I should have said that. It’s my first time.”
    The hostess’ smile broadened. “No worries. Believe me, they get a lot of nervous newcomers we’re pleased to see return again and again.” She motioned Gabe over and pointed toward a door that was just swinging closed behind the couple. “Right through there. Sit anywhere you’d like. They have the whole room reserved.”
    “Thanks.”
    Before her nerve could escape her, or Maria’s voice could chime in, Gabe hurried through the busy dining room to the door. Inside the meeting room there were at least fifteen people gathered. Large, round tables seating eight people each were arranged throughout the room.
    A woman, who was hugging the couple who’d entered before her, spotted her and swooped over. “Welcome! First time?”
    Gabe forced a smile and nodded.
    The woman extended her hand. “I’m Laura Carlton.” She pointed to where two other men were standing and talking with another couple. “That’s my husband, Rob, on the left. The other is our friend, Bill. It’s his first time, too. Come join us.”
    Gabe’s original plan had been to sit by herself off in a corner where she could keep her back to a wall and observe, but the woman was already calling over to the two men to get their attention.
    Terrific.
    Gabe switched her purse to her right shoulder, suddenly very self-conscious of the feel of the Bersa pressing against the back of her