How could Carol’s mindless girl talk have turned her on like this? ‘Why not?’ Carol persisted. ‘Just because he’s a criminal doesn’t mean ...e wouldn’t be fun to bed.’ ‘Just shut up!’ Barbara snapped. It was all she could do to keep her mind on the assignment and off of Nick Botero’s body which she knew was, as Carol had said, ‘built like a bull.’ Minutes after the women noted the delivery, they were ringing the bell of Nick Botero’s luxurious apartment, financed, Barbara was sure, with money. She took it and sheathed it. "I wonder how many of these have been claimed as loot and shipped off by the Governor already?" she asked.Verus shrugged. "Such is war, though it does seem this governor is rather eager to turn all his booty into liquid assets," he said, "including slaves."She nodded. "They've already loaded several dozen onto the trimaran," she said, jerking her chin toward the massive ship. "They're naming her for you, you know: Veria Prima." I don't know I wish a namesake of mine. Boss when Mom's not around at the store. I grab some more packing tape and toss it to him. My throw is poor, as usual, but his athletic grace allows him to make a nice catch with a full extension of his six foot two body. I signal first down and he laughs."If I could just get a better quarterback, I wouldn't have to make so many sideline plays and we'd win more often!"I take my rebuke with a giggle and get back to the books. He's finishing up the last packages for the last pickup, and I get to. Bridget's hand shook - just a little --- while she dealt the cards.She won the first hand, but she had a feeling that the men had let herwin. Sam won the second hand with the straight he hadn't been able toget earlier."Fold," Fred said unhappily. He had a good hand, three nines, but, hewas sure, she had better. ?What?d you beat me with, Bridget??She couldn?t help but smile. ?Two sixes.? She showed her cards andthen collected the _best_ fourteen cents she had ever won.?Welcome back,.