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The limo stopped.
He slid forward because he wanted to get out first and assess the scene. If he didn’t think the area was secure, Alina would not be exiting. But her hand curled over his arm. His gaze darted from her fingers to her face.
“I’ve been grateful to coaches who helped me win national titles.”
Did she mean that prick Dmitri?
“I’ve been grateful to corporate presidents because they helped provide me with sponsorships.”
What corporate presidents?
“I didn’t ever want to fuck them.” Her lips twisted. “I may be inexperienced when it comes to sex, but I don’t trade my body for anything.”
He was such a dumbass. “That’s not what I meant to say.”
She waited.
He should be checking the scene. But first he had to fix her heart. “There’s a lot happening between us. A lot going down fast. I just want you to be sure. Once I have you, everything will be different.” A warning, but he wasn’t sure she clearly understood just how serious he was.
“I’ve never been more sure of anyone.” And her high-voltage smile flashed.
His breath froze.
The driver opened the door. “We’re here, Mr. Monroe.”
Midas’s head whipped around so he could glare at the guy. Mood killer. They’d been having a moment.
One that was now over, courtesy of the driver. But Midas had a job to do. And it wasn’t to fuck Alina in the back of the limo. Though he’d been more than tempted to do that very thing.
“You’ll need to come this way,” Calvin Booker announced. The detective’s voice drifted into the vehicle.
Midas slowly exited. He took his time surveying the surrounding area. They’d parked behind the big, square building in a twisting alley. The two detectives waited with impatient expressions on their faces. No sign of anyone else. Definitely no reporters. Despite Ryker’s wishes, Midas knew the story wasn’t going to stay under wraps for long. And when the news broke, a swarm would descend on them.
“Joyce will take Alina to view the bodies,” Calvin told him smoothly. “You can stay in the hallway with me. We’ll be just outside of the lab area.”
Uh, huh. Like that wasn’t some deliberate divide and conquer BS. Midas knew Calvin planned to grill him. “Where is the lawyer?” He reached his hand back into the limo. Alina’s soft fingers took his.
“Meeting us inside,” Joyce assured him. “Now how about we get moving? This alley reeks.”
Yeah, it did. The whole scene reeked, as far as Midas was concerned.
Alina climbed out of the vehicle. She stared up at Midas. “I’ve never seen a dead body before. You’ll stay with me?”
“Nope,” Calvin denied as he wrenched open the door at the back of the building. A uniformed guard waited on the other side of the door. “He isn’t allowed to actually go in with you. You know, seeing as how we still have questions about Midas and the two deaths. Questions that we do hope will be answered soon.”
Alina stiffened. “I told you, Midas had nothing to do with their deaths. They were alive when we left them.”
“How about you ID the bodies?” Joyce urged. “Then we’ll get to the Q&A portion of the day.”
Footsteps tapped from inside the building. The guard at the rear door stepped aside as Bradford came to greet them. “Did someone say Q&A?” A shake of Bradford’s head. “Not without me.” A tiger’s smile flashed. “But nice try, detectives.”
***
It was cold in the lab or exam room or—or whatever it was. Alina wrapped her arms around her stomach and followed Joyce inside. Bradford was right on their trail.
She’d known Bradford for most of her life. Her father always invited him over for big events. Every party? Every gathering at the Bellamy estate? Bradford would be there. Her father had been his friend through Bradford’s three divorces. The men belonged to the same clubs, the same charity groups.
She also suspected that Bradford knew every secret her father possessed. And he was paid well to make sure those secrets never saw the light of day.
