Testing The Boss(51)
“Not much yet, but I got a copy of Longineu’s private schedule. I just sent it to your phone.”
“That was fast. Didn’t Jace just contact you today?”
“It was convenient. Longineu has been spending a lot of time with Walter Farrell over the past few weeks. I lifted his phone for a few minutes during lunch today.”
Convenient...and scary. If Longineu was trying to recruit Farrell, that meant he was stepping up his plans. The Farrell fortune was notorious, and Longineu was probably chomping at the bit to get his hands on some of that money. Not to mention the power that went along with it.
If Farrell joined the Thirteen Stars, their power would increase exponentially.
“Thanks for the schedule,” said Luke. “Do you need a retainer for your services?” He didn’t mind paying for the help, but he’d like to know the fees ahead of time.
“This one’s on the house.”
“On the house?” If there was one thing Luke didn’t trust, it was free things.
“Longineu rubs me the wrong way and I don’t like that Walter has been meeting with him so much. If you take care of Longineu, that would be payment enough for me.”
Luke frowned. What kind of relationship did Colin have to the Farrells that would inspire so much loyalty? But saving a few extra bucks probably wouldn’t hurt. He had a bad feeling he’d never see that hundred million he’d invested to get into the Thirteen Stars again.
“Thanks for the info. Keep me updated if you learn anything else.”
The other man hung up without a word, and Luke pulled up the calendar that Colin had sent over. Lots of business lunches, dinners, drinks, but not a lot of work. Figured.
He tucked the phone into the pocket of his pants and headed back into the living room.
Evelyn had taken off her suit jacket and was just in her unbuttoned blouse, and he found himself wishing the tank she wore beneath was lower cut. “Did I miss anything?” he asked. He realized that her gun holster was off too, and resting on the far side of the counter next to her phone. The holster had to be uncomfortable after eight hours, but it was still a strange sight to see in his kitchen.
“Just me stealing one of your shrimp. Besides that, nothing. Was that a work call?”
“Yep. Nothing important. I tell people only to call me after hours if something is on fire or someone is dying, but they never listen.”
Evelyn let out a small laugh. “Unfortunately, that’s the reason for most of my phone calls.”
Luke pushed his food over and took the stool next to her at the island. “So what about your day? Make any good breakthroughs on the case?”
Evelyn met his eyes and then looked back to her food. “Unfortunately, we’re still coming up empty in most areas. We’re working on tracing one of the phone numbers from the cell I took from the man at the cottage, though.”
Luke took a breath. Damn. She was still feeling guilty. What did he have to say to get through to her that she shouldn’t mourn that man’s death? “Stop thinking about it.” He set a hand on her knee.
Fear flashed in her eyes. “Forget what?”
“This guilt you’re feeling,” he said. “You know, the only reason you should feel bad is if you felt nothing. If killing someone had no effect. But trust me, as the person you saved, I think you were completely justified.”
Evelyn smiled at him and reached up to cup his cheek. “That’s really nice, Luke,” she whispered. “But that’s not what’s bothering me.”
“What is?”
She tightened her lips as her hand fell from his face. “That’s confidential.”
“Don’t do that.”
“Don't keep secrets?”
“Don't stop touching me.” He used his free hand to catch hers, the one that had just been stroking his face.
“I thought we weren’t doing this anymore.”
“Yes,” he agreed. “You did think that. I never did.”
“Feeling a little cocky, Devereaux?”
“Feeling like I want you in my bed, Price. Now I challenge you to give me one good reason why we shouldn’t go upstairs together right now.”
Her brows furrowed. “How about the massive bruise and cut on your forehead that has been giving you a headache all day?”
“Would’ve been much worse without you there to be my knight in shining armor.”
She rolled her eyes. “Wouldn’t have happened at all if I didn’t let you distract me. Which is exactly what you’re trying to do right now.”
Fuck. Reasoning wasn’t working. Luke decided to go for it and leaned in, capturing Evelyn’s lips with his. She started to pull away and he caged her head with his hands. “Please, don’t.” He couldn’t say that he was proud to beg, but damn, he really didn’t want her sleeping alone tonight. He didn’t want to sleep alone tonight. Not when she was so close and so perfect. “Come upstairs with me,” he said between kisses.