"My fault?" He lets out an incredulous scoff. "Your non-existent tolerance for drugs is my fault?"
"Yes, your fault. You were the one who gave it to me."
"Because you asked for it. Twice, might I add."
"And you could've said no. Twice."
"Fine." His eyes harden as he wets his lips. "I'll remember that the next time you want something from me."
I stifle a whimper. I am digging myself into a hole right now. I am literally telling him to say no to me more often.
"Fantastic. You do that. I’m going to get some coffee now. It was nice chatting with you two."
"Not so fast.”
Shit.
I gaze heavenward before spinning back around. I just want some coffee.
"What?"
Milo nods toward the laptop, a devious grin capturing his face. "Since you decided to get high instead of doing your job last night, I had to resort to... alternative measures."
"Alternative measures?” As much as I hate to admit it, he has somewhat of a valid point. In my efforts to not look like Milo's little...dog, I did sort of mess up the purpose of my being there. "What did you do?" I glare at him. "Did you kill him?"
Marchello and Milo exchange an amused look before they both start laughing. Like really laughing, as if the idea is preposterous, which it's not.
"No, Kiara," Milo says between chuckles, "I did not kill Manuel. How absurd."
I roll my eyes. I am not caffeinated enough to deal with this man. "So, what did you do?"
Milo casts me a sly smile. "I planted a listening device in Manuel's pocket."
"A listening device?" I glance at the laptop. Oh, God.
"Yes. I had it embedded into a lighter." He turns the computer toward me, an audio file pulled up on the screen. "This will be your task today." He pauses as Marchello suppresses a knowing grin. "Manuel enjoys a good time. He was awake until 6 a.m."
My jaw drops. "You want me to listen to six hours of audio? Seriously?"
"Yes." He shrugs, unbothered. "Perhaps this will teach you to refrain from indulging in narcotics while working."
I grind my teeth together. "And you just happened to have a listening device ready to go? How convenient."
"I brought it to him after you left," Marchello explains as he stands up, polishing off his tiny cup of espresso. He’s taunting me. "I will take my leave now." He faces Milo, whispering something to him under his breath. "Si?"
Milo nods. "Be careful."
"I am always careful." Marchello grins, knocking twice on the wooden table. "Goodbye, Kiara. See you tomorrow."
I toss him a lazy wave as he exits the suite. "Why does he need to be careful? Russians?"
He shakes his head, not answering my question as he points to the computer. "You should get started soon, Kiara. You have lots of audio to comb through." He expels a low laugh. "I hope you don't mind porn. Manuel...he is how you say... a lady's man."
I blink rapidly. "Sex? I'm going to have to listen to him have sex?! Can't I just skip that part? How is that relevant?"
Milo smirks, pushing himself off the tan Parsons chair. "A man is very boastful when he wants to fuck, Kiara," he says, stalking toward me with determination. "Even more so when he is fucking." He stops in front of me and pushes a strand of hair behind my ear, his dark eyes glimmering with insinuation. "And when he's done fucking—" He clicks his tongue. "That is when all the secrets come pouring out."
My back presses up against the kitchen island. "Does that apply to all men? You included?"