Page 28 of Cruel Ice

“Probably a good idea,” she mumbled.

His head inclined toward her. What could have been a glint of amusement came and went in his hazel eyes. “But don’t worry, they know how to be unobtrusive. They won’t interfere in our investigation. Unless I signal for them to approach.”

It was far too latenot to worry.Worry consumed her. As did memories of all those torture instruments in the basement’s cabinet. “Just who is in this crew of yours?”

“The two tailing us are former special ops. One was a SEAL. The other was a Ranger. They know how to blend. They also know how to kick ass.”

Her eyes narrowed as suspicion swirled through her. “They aren’t like…the muscle, are they?”

“Excuse me?”

“The bartender didn’t cooperate with the cops. Are you planning to use your ‘protection crew’ in order to force information out of the man? Are they the muscle that you’re gonna use to get the job done?”

He put a hand over his heart. “I am shocked. You think I would do something like that?”

Her eyes narrowed. “Yes.” Definitely.

The limo halted.

“I probably would.” An easy agreement as his hand fell. “But we’ll try your charm first, shall we? And let’s see where that gets us.”

Her charm? “I don’t have a lot of that.” She stretched for the door on the right.

He caught her hand. Surprised her by bringing it to his lips and pressing a kiss to her knuckles. “I disagree. I’d certainly say that you’ve charmed me.”

Her heart immediately started racing—the same way it had raced when she realized they were being tailed by a dark SUV that kept one car between them and the limo as it relentlessly followed their path.

“When we go in Abyss, you don’t leave my side.” His voice was calm, mild, but his stare was piercing. “We get the bartender. We question him together.” Another kiss on her knuckles.

Wait, had she just felt the brush of his tongue against her?

He let her go. “And don’t question my methods. Just go with the flow, would you?” Declan climbed from the limo because Andy had the door open.

She scrambled out after him. Marley grabbed Declan’s arm. “I amnota go-with-the-flow kind of person. In fact, I’ve never even met the flow. I go my own way.”

A sigh. “So I am learning.” He stared down at her. “Can I count on you not to freak out tonight?”

What did that even mean? And it sure sounded offensive. “I didn’t freak out last night, did I? Stop questioning my professionalism.” She sniffed. “It’s downright rude.”

His lips hitched up. “Oh, I would never want to berude.My apologies.” He moved the hand that she’d had clutching his arm. Moved it but didn’t let go. Instead, he curled the fingers of his left hand around hers. “Let’s get the party started, shall we?”

Marley threw a glance over her shoulder. She wanted to put eyes on his protection team, but there was no sign of the SUV she’d spotted earlier. “I don’t think it’s a party. Or at least, if it is, we have two vastly different definitions for that particular word.”

“And just how do you like to party?”

Her gaze skittered back to his. “I’m not really big on the party scene.” She could hear the pounding music coming from Abyss. A line of people snaked around the block, waiting to get inside. The women wore skin-tight dresses and stilettos. The men wore a variety of clothing options—some high end, some dressed in ragged jeans. All stood with plenty of pretend swagger. “Got enough of that duringmyshort stint as a bartender.” And she’dhad more than enough of seeing drunken brawls and watching messy hook-ups.

“If you’re not into the scene, then what were you doing here last night?” he asked silkily.

She swallowed. “Chasing down a cheating husband. I got the info I needed and emailed the pictures to my client.”Case officially closed. “Then I was leaving when I saw you.”

“Were you the bait for the husband?”

The what? And why was he all extra growly? “No, I was the one snapping pics of him and his girlfriend while his pregnant wife was at home.” She tapped a foot impatiently. “Are we going in Abyss or do you want to grillmemore?”

“In.”

“Excellent plan.”

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