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

right hip. The short-sleeved blouse she wore unbuttoned over her tank top and jeans kept the weapon from printing, but she didn’t want to risk someone brushing against her while she was standing and possibly feel it.
    Laura turned back to her. “I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name.”
    She thought fast. “Ella. Ella Wolf.” Wasn’t the first time she used the last part of her first name as a pseudonym, or anglicized part of her last name during an investigation. Made it easier to remember the ruse.
    You’re not here for work.
    Focus!
    “Ella, this is my husband, Rob Carlton.”
    “Nice to meet you,” he said.
    She shook with him. “Likewise.” The husband was dressed in what Gabe guessed to be a county paramedic uniform. Dark blue cargo pants and a dark blue, short-sleeved shirt. Light brown hair that looked like he saw a lot of sun, and soft brown eyes, Gabe wondered which end of their dynamic he was on until she realized his wife wore a necklace with a heart-shaped locket on it.
    She must belong to him.
    The other man…
    Her instincts screamed cop. Around four inches taller than her five seven, maybe a little older than her, definitely not as in shape as the paramedic, but it looked like he was successfully managing to combat middle-aged drift in his midsection. Brown hair and hazel eyes, she realized his gaze had intently settled on her.
    He held out his hand. “Ella, did you say?”
    She shook with him. “Ella Wolf.”
    He slowly nodded, then seemed to catch himself. “I’m sorry,” he said, his expression softening. “My wife’s name was Ella.”
    Something in his tone pulled at her. He sounded genuine. “I’m…sorry?”
    Then he smiled, warming his face and tugging on her heart just a little bit more. “It’s okay.” He released her hand. “I lost her suddenly nine years ago. It’s just I don’t run into a lot of women with her name.”
    Now Gabe mentally kicked herself. “We’re, ah, kind of scattered around all over.” Oh, my god, you’re an idiot. Shut your pie hole.
    She supposed that was what happened when she went too damn long without any kind of a social life.
    Or friends.
    Laura took over. “Since it’s her first time, I’m going to sit Ella between me and Bill,” she told her husband. “If that’s all right?”
    Rob nodded. “Great. Glad you came out.”
    Now she couldn’t back out without really sounding like an idiot. “Thank you. Sort of a last-minute decision.”
    “You’re not the first, don’t worry. We’re an easygoing group.”
    Laura led her over to a chair next to two that had been tipped forward. “Right here,” she said, smiling. “Bill’s sitting next to you, on your left. Glad you came out tonight. You won’t regret it.”
    “Thank you.” I hope she’s right.
     
    * * * *
     
    Bill wasn’t an idiot. He knew exactly what Laura was up to.
    Not that he minded, but he felt a little sorry that Ella looked like she’d been caught unprepared for the sudden seating assignment.
    Which was fair, because he’d been caught unprepared for her name. Yes, he’d run into a few Ellas here and there in the years since her death, but it always tweaked his guts in a painful way. Less painful as the years wore on, but it never failed to elicit the reaction.
    As he settled into his chair next to her, he offered a smile he hoped put her at ease. She looked as nervous as he felt. “So, what do you do for a living, Ella?” he asked.
    She’d been reaching for the glass of water at her place setting. “I, uh, no offense, I’d rather not say. Let’s just say I’ve been gainfully and continuously employed by the state of Florida for ten years, and would like to keep it that way.”
    “Ah. I’m tracking. I have the same kind of job. Looks like we already have something in common.” He’d decided not to reveal to anyone he was a cop, and the people who already knew what he did for a living had agreed to keep that secret for him.
    He’d feel a little more