Page 62 of Frost and Venom

They exchanged long looks, each trying to puzzle out what that could mean. “Do you think he used her to further business deals for him, and then made it look as if he had no idea what she was doing other than flirting with other men?” Zahra asked.

Vienna inclined her head. “It sounds like he would give an order to her, tell her to entice some man and maybe make a date with him for later that evening, but he didn’t want anyone to know he was doing it, so he made a scene.”

“I believe he was using her, forcing her to sleep with other men. He most likely filmed it or had her do it, and then he got what he wanted out of the business deal,” Raine said. “It’s a common tactic. He appeared to have been very brutal when he got physical.”

“It would explain why she didn’t leave him and why she refused to tell the cops that he was pimping her out. She probably knew the cops were involved,” Stella said.

“You know who is connected to the mastermind,” Shabina said. “It’s so instinctive because you’re totally in survival mode.”

“There is one thing she did several times when she was out showing property. She received a phone call, but not on her own cell. She carried a second phone with her and would speak briefly to someone on that line and hang up. It was clear she didn’t want anyone to see or hear her. She’s definitely got a burner phone,” Raine reported.

The back door swung open, and Rush’s powerful frame strode toward them.

“Do you think she still has ties to the cartel?” Harlow asked hastily.

“You don’t just walk away from a cartel,” Raine said, hastily closing her laptop.

“Even though she’s been here for years?” Stella asked.

“Even then,” Raine said, and slid her arms around Rush’s neck as he carefully lifted her.

Harlow put Raine’s things in the computer backpack and gave it to Rush. He transferred it to the hand farthest from her leg and turned and walked out without a word, just as Raine had predicted he would.

Chapter Fourteen

Harlow, Shabina and Rainier entered the Grill using Alek Donovan’s private entrance. The door led into the massive kitchen Alek had just renovated along with the interior of the restaurant. Shabina kept turning around to inspect the kitchen so much, instead of walking forward, following Alek, that Rainier had to grab her shoulders and put her in front of him to keep her moving.

“The kitchen wasn’t touched,” Alek announced. “I don’t know if they were spooked and made a run for it before they did more damage, but they completely destroyed one wall of the diner, all the artwork on it and four of the table-and-chair sets closest to that wall.”

Alek had called Harlow early that morning, waking her from a sound sleep, so upset she couldn’t understand him. He wanted her to come to the Grill right then. Someone had broken in and splashed paint over his walls and the consigned artwork. She managed to talk him into waiting before touching anything, saying she would come immediately but was bringing Rainier with her. Even as she assured Alek, she could see Wilder didn’t like that he wasn’t accompanying her.

“You can’t risk being seen,” she told him, calling out from the shower. That water pouring down in the shower hadn’t deterred him in the least. He’d joined her and made it very clear that she needed to be with him. Even after making his feelings perfectly clear, Wilder solemnly handed her clothes and watched her dress.

“Stop looking pathetic. Alek is a dear friend and totally in distress. He’s married and very much in love with his wife.”

“I get it,” Wilder said. “But I swear, this is the last time you’re going somewhere important without me. And you wait for Rainier. He said he’d be here in ten. He’s not a man to be late.”

She had kissed him. Even when he talked tough, he was still the best man she knew. She’d take him every single time. Now she watched Rainier gently maneuver Shabina through the kitchen. The look on his face was priceless when he didn’t think an enemy was close. Harlow was pretty sure that when she looked at Wilder she mirrored that goofy, in-love expression Rainier wore looking at Shabina.

Alek hadn’t seen any of the byplay between them. He’d barely greeted them before abruptly turning away to lead them through the kitchen. Still, she’d caught a glimpse of his face etched with deep lines of worry. She had grown up with people despising her, which included her parents, so she had become somewhat immune to this kind of situation. Alek was used to everyone liking him. He was a kind man. A fair one. This had to be a terrible shock. He didn’t have enemies.

Shabina stopped abruptly, and Rainier halted with her, his arms wrapping around her to pull her into the shelter of his body.

“Alek,” Shabina whispered.

Harlow started forward to get around Rainier in order to see what had Shabina in such shock when fingers formed a shackle around her bicep. She swung around, one palm going up defensively.

“It’s just me, Harlow,” Sam’s voice informed her. She recognized that voice before she did him. That was how startled she was.

“Would you please make noise when you’re sneaking up on someone?” she demanded.

Sam raised an eyebrow. “If I’m sneaking, I’m not supposed to make a sound.”

“You took ten years off my life,” she accused. “And I’m certain my hair’s gone gray in just these last few seconds.”

“You were never the drama queen sort,” he said. “Zahra, yes, Stella can be one, but not you, Harlow. I appreciate the try.”

“What are you doing here?”