The Pleasure Set

by Lisa Girolami

  Sandrine scooped an arm under hers and led her to the couch. “Laney, you were just supposed to get her to admit that you weren’t involved.”

  “But now she’s admitted to killing Bridget and Candace. And she also knows about the heroin.”

  Sandrine threw her arms around her so tight that Laney couldn’t breathe. “I could have lost you, damn it.”

  “But you didn’t. Listen, I got into this jam and, more than wanting to get out of it, I want her to pay the price, for me and for Bridget and Candace.”

  Sandrine sat back and wiped her own forehead, which was dripping with sweat. Laney saw how scared Sandrine really was and a slow-rolling rush came over her. What had just happened could have gone horribly wrong.

  “I’m sorry. It was stupid to goad Theresa. I’ve screwed up enough so far and I realize now that Theresa’s gun could have permanently ruined everything.”

  Sandrine’s eyes welled up and, in that moment, Laney understood how deeply they were now connected. She stroked back a lock of Sandrine’s damp hair. “I love you.”

  Sandrine blinked and a tear spilled out and down her cheek. “I love you, too.”

  Laney pulled Sandrine into a hug and they stayed there for a long while as Laney squeezed her eyes shut, the extreme weight of her love for Sandrine starting to crash down on her.

  After a while, Sandrine said quietly, “I was right outside the garage wall. I heard the crash but didn’t know what had happened.”

  “And you came to my rescue.”

  “I had to. You were acting like the Lone Ranger in there.”

  “But you got everything on tape?”

  “I did. However, I almost stopped this whole scheme earlier when you decided to carry the questioning a little too far.”

  “I needed to know more. I want her to get slammed for everything.”

  “It was foolish, Laney. She could have hurt you. I couldn’t bear that. It was stupid of me to even think about recording your conversation.” She held her tight and sighed. Laney cradled the back of Sandrine’s head in her hands. It seemed they had overcome a hurdle. She wasn’t sure where it would all lead, but Sandrine was still in her life, and that’s all that mattered.

  “But we did get the recording. And it’s over.”

  Sandrine sat back and stroked Laney’s cheek. “It’s far from over.”

  “I’m scared.”

  “I know, baby. You have been through a lot. But as soon as I return the equipment to Gadget Girl and have her make copies of the recording, you can turn one over to the detective now on the case.”

  “And what about you? Are you going to get into trouble for helping me?”

  “Possibly.”

  “Could you get fired?”

  “I doubt it. I may get a reprimand or get time off without pay.”

  “That would be awful.”

  “Seeing you go to prison would have been awful.” Sandrine tilted her head as she gave Laney a stern look. “I hope this is the end of your desire for trouble.”

  “The very end.” Laney took both of Sandrine’s hands. “This all feels like a strange dream.”

  “More like a nightmare, but now it is over. Or at least as soon as Theresa Aguilar goes to trial.”

  “Then what?”

  “You will be a witness.”

  “No, I mean, and then what for us?”

  Sandrine kissed her gently. “We begin again.”

  About the Author

  Lisa Girolami has been in the entertainment industry since 1979. She holds a BA in Fine Art and an MS in Psychology. Previous jobs included ten years as a production executive in the motion picture industry and another two decades producing and designing theme parks for Disney and Universal Studios. She is now a Senior Producer/Director of Walt Disney Imagineering in Los Angeles and a counselor at a mental health facility in Garden Grove.

  Writing has been a passion for her since she wrote and illustrated her first comic books at the restless age of six. Her imagination usually gets the best of her and plotting her next novel during boring corporate meetings keeps her from going stir-crazy. She currently lives with her partner, Susan, in Long Beach, California.

  Lisa Girolami may be contacted via www.LisaGirolami.com.

  Books Available From Bold Strokes Books

  The Pleasure Set by Lisa Girolami. Laney DeGraff, a successful president of a family-owned bank on Rodeo Drive, finds her comfortable life taking a turn toward danger when Theresa Aguilar, a sleek, sexy lawyer, invites her to join an exclusive, secret group of powerful, alluring women. (978-1-60282-144-6)

  A Perfect Match by Erin Dutton. The exciting world of pro golf forms the backdrop for a fast-paced, sexy romance. (978-1-60282-145-3)

  Truths by Rebecca S. Buck. Two women separated by two hundred years are connected by fate and love. (978-1-60282-146-0)

  Father Knows Best by Lynda Sandoval. High school juniors and best friends Lila Moreno, Meryl Morganstern, and Caressa Thibodoux plan to make the most of the summer before senior year. What they discover that amazing summer about girl power, growing up, and trusting friends and family more than prepares them to tackle that all-important senior year! (978-1-60282-147-7)

  In Pursuit of Justice by Radclyffe. In the dynamic double sequel to Shield of Justice and A Matter of Trust, Det. Sgt. Rebecca Frye joins forces with enigmatic computer consultant J.T. Sloan to crack an Internet child pornography ring. (978-1-60282-147-4)

  The Midnight Hunt by L.L. Raand. Medic Drake McKennan takes a chance and loses, and her life will never be the same—because when she wakes up after surviving a life-threatening illness, she is no longer human. (978-1-60282-140-8)

  Long Shot by D. Jackson Leigh. Love isn’t safe, which is exactly why equine veterinarian Tory Greyson wants no part of it—until Leah Montgomery and a horse that won’t give up convince her otherwise. (978-1-60282-141-5)

  In Medias Res by Yolanda Wallace. Sydney has forgotten her entire life, and the one woman who holds the key to her memory, and her heart, doesn’t want to be found. (978-1-60282-142-2)

  Awakening to Sunlight by Lindsey Stone. Neither Judith or Lizzy is looking for companionship, and certainly not love—but when their lives become entangled, they discover both. (978-1-60282-143-9)

  Fever by VK Powell. Hired gun Zakaria Chambers is hired to provide a simple escort service to philanthropist Sara Ambrosini, but nothing is as simple as it seems, especially love. (978-1-60282-135-4)

  High Risk by JLee Meyer. Can actress Kate Hoffman really risk all she’s worked for to take a chance on love? Or is it already too late? (978-1-60282-136-1)

  Missing Lynx by Kim Baldwin and Xenia Alexiou. On the trail of a notorious serial killer, Elite Operative Lynx’s growing attraction to a mysterious mercenary could be her path to love—or to death. (978-1- 60282-137-8)

  Spanking New by Clifford Henderson. A poignant, hilarious, unforgettable look at life, love, gender, and the essence of what makes us who we are. (978-1-60282-138-5)

  Magic of the Heart by C.J. Harte. CEO Susan Hettinger and wild, impulsive rock star M.J. Carson couldn’t be more different if they tried—but opposites attract in ways neither woman can resist. (978-1- 60282-131-6)

  Ambereye by Gill McKnight. Jolie Garoul is falling in love with her assistant. The big problem is, Jolie is a werewolf. (978-1-60282-132-3)

  Collision Course by C.P. Rowlands. Tragedy leaves Brie O’Malley and Jordan Carter fearful and alone. Can they find the courage to take a second chance on love? (978-1-60282-133-0)

  Mephisto Aria by Justine Saracen. Opera singer Katherina Marov’s destiny may be to repeat the mistakes of her father when she becomes involved in a dangerous love affair. (978-1-60282-134-7

  Battle Scars by Meghan O’Brien. Returning Iraq war veteran Ray McKenna struggles with the battle scars that can only be healed by love. (978-1-60282-129-3)

  Chaps by Jove Belle. Eden Metcalf wants nothing more than to flee from her troubled past and travel the open road—until she runs into
rancher Brandi Cornwell. (978-1-60282-127-9)

  Lightbearer by John Caruso. Lucifer dares to question the premise of creation itself and reveals that sin may be all that stands between us and living hell. (978-1-60282-130-9)

  The Seeker by Ronica Black. FBI profiler Kennedy Scott battles ghosts from her past, deadly obsession, and the evil that haunts her. (978-1- 60282-128-6)

  Power Play by Julie Cannon. Businesswomen Tate Monroe and Victoria Sosa are at odds in the boardroom, but not in the bedroom. (978-1-60282-125-5)

  The Remarkable Journey of Miss Tranby Quirke by Elizabeth Ridley. When love enters Tranby’s life in the form of a beautiful nineteen-year-old student, Lysette McDonald, she embarks on the most remarkable journey of all. (978-1-60282-126-2)

  Returning Tides by Radclyffe. Insurance investigator Ashley Walker faces more than a dangerous opponent when she returns to the town, and the woman, she left behind. (978-1-60282-123-1)

  Veritas by Anne Laughlin. When the hallowed halls of academia become the stage for murder, newly appointed Dean Beth Ellis’s search for the truth leads her to unexpected discoveries about her own heart. (978-1-60282-124-8)

  The Pleasure Planner by Larkin Rose. Pleasure purveyor Bree Hendricks treats love like a commodity until Logan Delaney makes Bree the client in her own game. (978-1-60282-121-7)

  everafter by Nell Stark and Trinity Tam. Valentine Darrow is bitten by a vampire on her way to propose to her lover Alexa Newland, and their lives and love are placed in mortal jeopardy. (978-1-60282-119-4)

  Summer Winds by Andrews & Austin. When Maggie Turner hires a ranch hand to help work her thousand acres, she never expects to be attracted to the very young, very female Cash Tate. (978-1-60282- 120-0)