Page 81 of Amber Gambler

A pleasant warmth swept through my chest, and my heart gave a happy twist.

“My mistake.” Amusement gleamed in his eyes. “I meant no harm. She’s an old friend. That’s all.”

“Friends hold hands?” He checked this fact with me. “Does that mean you and I are friends?”

“Wearefriends.” I crossed to him, took his hand, and dragged him to Bash. “But we’re alsomorethan friends.”

“Because I want to kiss you.”

The warmth that had been so pleasant a moment before dialed up to a burn that scalded my face and throat. “Yes.”

“Friends don’t kiss.”

“No.” I flushed even harder. “Friends don’t kiss.”

“Customs of the living…confuse me.” He aimed the words at Bash. “I apologize for my rudeness.”

“We’re all friends here,” he said easily, while his eyes asked me a million questions.

“I would prefer not to hold your hand,” Kierce informed him. “I don’t want Frankie to feel as I just did.”

Jealous. Kierce was jealous. I really shouldn’t find that so adorable.

“I’ll keep my hands to myself then.” Bash chuckled. “Let me open up, and you can have your look.”

The turn of the lock sent dread churning through my stomach, and I took a slow breath for courage.

Hard as I tried, I couldn’t stop the pinch in my chest as I crossed the threshold into a gateway of memories I wished I could erase. One not guarded by any wards I could perceive.

Flipping on lights as he went, Bash illuminated the space then chose a table and sat, giving us free run of the place. He settled in to answering emails on his phone while Kierce and I began sweeping the main rooms. We found nothing to indicate someone had been holed up here, so we moved into the kitchen.

The walk-in freezer and fridges had been cleared out. I could only imagine how wonderful that would have smelled if the power had been off for more than a few days in this heat. As soon as I thought it, I called out, “Bash?”

“Yes?” He appeared in the doorway. “Did you find something?”

“Did you do this?” I opened one of the empty fridges. “Or have it done?”

“No.” He rested his shoulder against the frame. “There was no food or alcohol in the whole place.”

For the restaurant to close without notice, I imagine it caught more than his attention. “Looters?”

“That or the property owner donated it before it spoiled on him.”

“The property owner? Armie owned the restaurant.”

Faulty logic, I realized as soon as I heard myself, because Armie was a liar.

“He did own the building and the business, but he leased the property.”

“That’s who you paid.” I rubbed my face. “I didn’t stop to think about the logistics with Armie gone.”

“You’ve had your hands full lately.” Bash slid his gaze around the room, but Kierce had moved on while I hung back to question Bash. “You know what he is, right?”

“Kierce?” I shut the fridge and checked the last cabinet. “Yes.”

“His reactions struck me as naïve at first, but I’ve got a bead on him now.”

“Okay.” I wasn’t sure, beyond lust, what incubi could sense. “Do I want to know?”

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