Page 45 of Dead Heat

“I’ll take care of him,” Gun murmured. “You go ahead.” He tugged a tarot card from his sleeve. “Good afternoon to you, kind sir.”

I bolted for the elevator bank and pushed the button. The doors opened immediately, and I slipped inside. As the doors closed, I glimpsed the doorman staring at Gun as though in a trance. I hoped he didn’t put the guy to sleep. I didn’t want him to lose his job.

Please don’t be a witchplayed on repeat in my mind as the elevator carried me to the fifth floor. Just because I had a blossoming friendship with Phaedra Bridger didn’t mean my faith in witches had been restored. It would take a lot more than one good apple to prove the bunch wasn’t spoiled.

Josie was right about the couple’s magic. I sensed its presence in the hallway. It was so strong, in fact, that I followed it straight to their door without the need to check the numbers.

Yep. 501.

I knocked on the door, practicing my questions in my head.How’s married life? So, about that handsome incubus you had a threesome with the other night…

It was possible that the husband or wife grew jealous and hexed Alessandro as a parting gift. The internet was full ofstories about one spouse only agreeing to multiple partners to keep the relationship intact. A Band-Aid over a gushing martial wound.

The door opened, and a man I assumed to be Del Riggio stood in front of me dressed in a silk robe, a cherry red banana hammock, and nothing else. I was irrationally annoyed that the banana hammock wasn’t yellow. His clothing wasn’t his worst feature, however; that honor belonged to the flat-top and shaved sides that masqueraded as a hairstyle.

I tried to stay focused on the task at hand. “Hi, I’m looking for Del Riggio.”

He draped an arm along the doorframe. “Finally, my prayers have been answered.”

Good grief.

“I’m also looking for your wife, Carrie. Is she at home?”

He didn’t seem bothered by the mention of his significant other. “No, just me today. Carrie’s at work. Usually gets home around six.” He adopted a lazy smile. “You’re more than welcome to wait here.”

I glanced over my shoulder, hopeful that Gunther was on his way. “No need. I’ll try her later.”

“Great, that means you can try me now.” He winked.

I was tempted to induce his worst nightmare purely on the basis of triggering my gag reflex.

“I understand you and your wife were at the Devil’s Playground recently.”

He removed his arm from the doorframe and adjusted to an upright position. “We’re there fairly often. Why do you ask?”

“Did you meet the new bartender during your most recent visit?”

His jaw tensed. “Alessandro. Yes. What’s this about?”

“Can I ask what kind of magic you practice, Mr. Riggio?”

His brown eyes turned to slits. “Who are you?”

“My name is Lorelei Clay. I’m a friend of Alessandro’s.”

Del peered past me into the hallway. “I’d prefer to have this conversation inside.”

“And I’d prefer you were fully clothed.”

He glanced down at his limited attire. “You’re lucky I’m dressed at all.”

“Holy budgie smuggler,” a voice cried.

Thank the gods, Gun had arrived.

Del’s gaze skated to Gunther, now standing beside me. “Another friend of yours?”

“Yes, this is Gunther Saxon.”

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