Fantoccio X Barnaby Novels & Stories

Lord she didn’t, they held her pretty little feet by straps, her toes painted red. She had no ring on her finger or even a discoloration of one. So I just went for it. “ My name's Tony Lombartti, I own this bar here.” She looked me over and looked back at her now with two drinks. “ I figured a man like you would enjoy a solid whiskey, or maybe even a malt. Yet your tastes prove otherwise. Wine?” I could melt. Her voice was silk, I felt the goosebumps rise over my skin. “ I.. I.. Yeah I like my wine. Chianti is one of my favorites.”

“What else are you buying?” Zach lowered his gaze to Max. His face changed slightly, turning soft. “Apples. Coffee. Maybe pasta.” Issa immediately evaluated him. “What kind of pasta?” “Tagliatelle.” She thought about it. “Acceptable.” Max pointed at his little cart. “We’re buying Barbie and a monster truck.” “My Barbie died,” Issa said, then opened her tote and showed him the Barbie whose head had already been reattached, her expression that of a tiny forensic doctor. “But Mommy put her back together. Still, she has bad history now.”

“For most people, they would be. But for me...” Fabiola’s eyes nearly roll out of her skull as she turns away from me and gazes out the window at the snow falling. I chuckle and continue driving. It’s only a few more minutes before we reach Barely There, the high class, practically designer lingerie store, its windows framed with glowing white Christmas lights. I pull up right out front and park. I can see Mary, the store’s owner who I texted earlier, waiting just inside for us. “You’ve got to be kidding,” Fabiola groans, practically glaring at me when she sees where we are. I return her glare with a smile and shake my head.

Liberty, now twenty five and the proud owner of Liberty Crumbs, a bright little bakery on the corner of Sycamore and 8th, called me between cases, her voice always threaded with sugar and mischief. “Tell me you’re coming tonight,” she said, the background full of clattering trays. “I made rosemary sea salt focaccia and I need you to taste it like your life depends on it.” “My life currently depends on me not getting sued,” I told her, flipping through a patient chart. “But I’ll try.” “You always try,” Liberty said, and I heard her smile. “Also, I may have a date.” I winced. “Liberty…” “What? He’s a bartender. He has a motorcycle. He called me ‘ma’am’ in a respectful way.”

[Why? “Nothing. Just asking.” After pouring myself a glass of water, I check my phone again. I'm waiting for another text from Dominico confirming their arrival in Florence. Where is he? Is he the one driving like last night? “Paolo, do you know the Falcos?” “The Falcos?” Paolo takes a sip of his coffee and pauses for a moment, as if he's considering his words. “They're from Umbria. They own hotels and a shipping line.” “Ah... Umbria. Have you met them?”

While holding her in place,He nibbled on her neck,biting down enough pressure to sting a little bit. She tasted like fucking heaven. “Don’t move.”He growled,letting go of her. She nodded. Lorenzo ran his hands over her soft skin,tensing when she let out a sexy as fuck moan. “You’re mine,Fabiola.No one else can have you.”He nibbled on the bare skin at the base of her neck. Lucien can’t have her!

Jonathon asked. Barry nodded. “Yeah, I had Freddie send me some.” “It’s fun— really amazing,” Declan said, shooting a glance in Abby’s direction. “I’ve been using Pemberton Dairies for a new line of milk chocolate,” Jonathon said, “But I hadn’t tried their cheese.”

There’s something soothing in having that anchor, even when I don’t need it. I follow him into the alley and, as promised, into a dingy little bar. The bartender nods as we walk in. “Long time, no see.” The muscular redhead grabs a tumbler off a rack of cups and sets it on the bar. “Business or pleasure?” “Little of both, Teo.” Dante saunters up to the bar. I drift behind him. “None for me, but get our friend here some of Benny’s famous fries, and whatever she wants to drink.” Dante squeezes my hand and ushers me onto a cracked barstool.

Phoebe roared looking at Falcone. “Don’t you dare to touch her!PIG!ASSHOLE!” Falocne also joined and both came face to face. Damien and nandini were in between and glancing at both “AAAaaa..ol” Falocne, Phoebe and Nandini’s mouth widened. Falcone gulped and glared at Damiene. Phoebe was burst into laughter “You are my favorite person after N…Buddy “ and earned a slap on his arms by Nandini

she snapped, “I need to get back the shop before the boss has my head. Is this about the Bloody Barbies again?” Bloody Barbie was the nickname Maria gave to the murders ever since she’d gotten involved as a suspect. It was an apt name. Each crime scene that had been investigated was painted red with each victim’s blood, and in each one there would be a bloody doll left behind (though, not exactly a Barbie), no less than three feet away from the body.