“I’m always up for dancing,” Dallas said, “and Emma’s is the only place I don’t get hounded by people who think I’m dying to dance with them. It’s crazy to ignore the overprotective big bear with me, but people aren’t always the smartest.” As a movie star, Dallas was never incognito, and she enjoyed the time with the family that meant she got some space.

They enjoyed dinner and talked about anything but work. Vincent embraced Cain and kissed her cheek before they left. He wanted her to know he had her back and always would. That made her think of Vincent’s friendship with her father. They’d grown up together, and Vincent had stayed loyal long after her da had died.

“Vincent, you’re a good friend, and I’ll never forget that.” She kissed both his cheeks and took his hand. “I live every day to make my da proud, but your continued friendship also makes me fortunate.”

“You never have to worry about either of those things. You do his name proud,” Vincent said and gave her a bag of cannoli for the kids. “Don’t forget I’m always a call away.”

“Thanks, Vincent.”

There was plenty unsaid, but it could be deciphered between the lines. Life was like a puzzle where there were always missing pieces, but you needed to see the entire picture. It was the only way to survive in this particular profession. In truth, the picture could never have all the pieces in place in full view—that way you kept prying eyes from seeing what you knew was there. The fewer visible pieces you could get by with, the more successful you were.

“Let’s have some fun,” she said, opening the door for Emma. The restaurant was full but she didn’t recognize anyone from Shelby’s team still inside. “Maybe they didn’t like the food,” she said to Emma.

“Maybe the truth of what scum they are made her lose her appetite.” The venom in Emma’s voice meant she wasn’t over her visit with Shelby.

Cain had gift-wrapped the two guys who’d killed Shelby’s parents and left her in the position to take revenge without fear of it coming back on her. That favor should’ve bought her more goodwill than Shelby was showing, but Cain wasn’t surprised that she wasn’t willing to show gratitude. Revenge was one thing, but the love her cousin Muriel had once had for Shelby was deep, and Shelby had chosen her job over that. That proved the best thing about Shelby was her consistency. She couldn’t be trusted because her job defined her.

“Father Andy tells me that God sees all, whenever I question something,” she said, putting her arms around Emma and holding her.