Page 98 of Dead Heat

“There are worse smells,” I said.

Alessandro offered a grateful smile. “Will you and Kane be performing a duet tonight?”

I twisted to observe the next singer—a minotaur crooningI’ll Be Seeing You.

Josie smirked. “I can think of a couple songs for you.”

“Like what?” Dantalion asked.

“Toxic.Bad Blood.I Hate Everything About You.”

“Those sound like songs you ought to be singing,” Alessandro said with a cheerful grin.

“Careful,” Josie said again.

“Is Kane downstairs?” I asked.

“The boss knows you’re here,” she replied. “He’s on his way up.”

My nerves came online as the door at the far end of the room opened and Kane stepped into view. He’d forgone his usual custom suit tonight in favor of three layers of loose-fitting cream clothes. He looked like he’d just stepped off a private jet in Italy and was ready for romance.

Good, because so was I.

He stopped a foot away to gaze at me. “A dress to mark the occasion? I’m honored.”

“I wore a dress to the gala.”

“Oh, I remember … what little there was of it.” He closed his eyes. “I’m conjuring the memory right now. Exceptional.”

“It should be. It was designed by the Fates.”

“And who designed this one?”

“Nana Pratt.”

He nodded. “Tell her she did an excellent job.”

“Oh, she knows. I still heard her preening about it after I closed the front door behind me.” I cut a glance at the stage. “Is karaoke part of the date?”

He chuckled. “Definitely not. This event was planned long before our date.” His gaze returned to me. “I’d like to talk.”

“Uh-oh. That sounds ominous.”

“Nothing bad, I promise.”

I contemplated the bustling nightclub. “I don’t think this is the environment for it.”

“No. I thought we might sit on the rooftop and stargaze.”

“Are you going to carry me up there by the beak?”

“I suggest a more civilized approach.” He offered his arm, and I accepted it. Together we strolled outside, past Larry and the line of karaoke enthusiasts, to the side of the building.

“Are we supposed to scale the wall?”

“There’s a staircase.” He motioned for me to follow. Hidden behind an archway at the back of the building was a spiral staircase that led to the rooftop.

Hands on my hips, I regarded the staircase. “How am I just now discovering this hidden gem?”

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