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“Jamie Nolan” Joe Rudin was no poker player At the rinned and said, “So you’ve heard of me”

“Yeah Uh, your name’s come up with my employer”

“I’ll bet”

Joe Rudin casually tucked his hands in the pockets of his khakis and looked me over Then he said, “So, Ja me on the sidewalk Does thatout with Catherine?”

“That depends”

“On what?”

“On whether you pose a risk to her safety”

Joe grinned at that “She’s hter, Nolan If she so much as catches a cold while she’s out without with her, so I’ll be guarding her with ether”

“If it’s so risky, why are you going out with her?”

His grin got a lot bigger “Have you seen Catherine Sokolov? Well, then again, you’re dating her gay cousin So maybe you haven’t noticed that she’s smokin’ hot”

After a beat I said, “Ok,” and turned and led the way up to the front door I decided to knock, rather than give away the fact that I had a key to Dmitri’s house to one of Sokolov’s men

“So, you’re cool with this?” Joe asked

“Sure, why not? You’re right that if you har to cut your balls off Hell, if you don’t treat Catherine right, she ht cut your balls off herself”

Catherine swung the door open a few seconds after I knocked, and in a heartbeat went fro at me “Well?” she asked as I stepped past her into the foyer

“Nice guy You two have a good time,” I said with a wink

“That’s it?”

“Yup”

Catherine regardedmoment, hands on her hips I noticed she was dressed like a tall, blonde version of my best friend, in a tasteful black dress that actually reached the general vicinity of her knees Then she said, “Ok then Good luck with Dmitri” She turned away from me and flashed her date a set going I want to hit a couple clubs before dinner, and we have reservations at eight” Poor guy Hurricane Catherine was going to wear him the fuck out

I went to the kitchen and grabbed a carton of ice cream and a spoon, then hopped up on the counter and pried open the lid I’d so

After just a few e And then D ht ofthe ice crea me as he deposited the carton on the counter “M this I e”

“Good idea”

He pulled back and looked atWhat is it?”