Page 93 of Possession

“Blake, Grace.” Danny smiled and glanced between us, barely sparing a look at Dante. “This is a surprise. What brings you to the city?”

“No more a surprise for you than it is for us, I assure you.” I rose and extended a hand to him, then offered a quick smile to his wife. She stood behind him, her eyes shuttered, her mouth pursed. Had they been arguing? “Hi, Marina. You look lovely.”

She glanced down at her navy wrap dress as if she didn’t remember what she wore. “Oh, this. Thank you, Blake. Hi again, Grace,” she added, leaning around her husband to smile at Grace.

Grace nodded and gave her a little finger wiggle. Then she knocked back the rest of her wine.

I understood the sentiment.

“So, you two are just out for a romantic meal, is it? This is certainly the place for it.” Danny gestured around us. “Best food in Brooklyn, though I have to say I’m surprised the local secret reached all the way to Marblehead.”

“It reached you,” I said shortly. “Yes, the food was delicious. The company even better.”

And if my hackles went up any higher, I’d start splitting the seams of my jacket.

“Wonderful. Ours was as well.” Danny cocked his head. “How long have you both been coming here?”

“First visit.” I didn’t bother with a smile this time. Danny’s interrogation was starting to feel like way more than friendly conversation. “And you?”

“We’ve been here a few times.” Danny waved a hand, dismissing it as he appeared to notice Dante at the table. “Dante Costas, is it? I recognize your photo from the lobby.”

Sure, he did.

“Guilty as charged.” Dante rose, as slow and slinky as a dark snake winding through a glade. “I’m so pleased to hear you’re a fan of our cuisine. And you would be?”

“Daniel Donnelly, and this is my wife, Marina.” They made a show of shaking hands, and I arched a brow at Grace.

I half expected to see the side of her face while she stared off anywhere else, but she was already staring back at me. So, she’d picked up on the ripe scent of bullshit in the air too.

Which meant it was time to retreat and regroup.

I made a show of looking at my watch. “I hate to eat and run, but we’re due to a late movie.”

“Oh, really? I love movies. They’re a guilty pleasure of mine, actually.” Dante shot his cuffs as he walked around the table. “Which flick are you going to see?”

Grace rose. “Betty bangs Brooklyn,” she said, grabbing her purse.

Dante chuckled. “Feisty indeed. You have your hands full with this one.” He tipped his head at me. “I’ll have your coats brought to you. And I’ll be in touch.”

I nodded, though I could bet the quality of intel I’d be getting from Dante would be near to worthless.

He knew about the Philomena, Annabelle, and Robert connection, no matter what he said about being too busy to involve himself with social agendas. I could also guarantee he was well aware that Trawley Avenue was a street that didn’t exist in Flatbush.

“Thanks for getting us in on short notice. I imagine dinner reservations are hard to procure here.” I tilted my head at Danny. “You must have an in.”

He didn’t so much as blink. “Me? No. Just lucky.” He laughed and clapped my shoulder. “You’re the big man around here, Blake.”

I’d never been overly close to Violet’s brother, but then again, I’d never paid him much mind. He seemed nice enough, and again, Vi’s brother so he was inner circle—to a point.

At the moment, I was gladder than ever that my personal relationship policy hovered between guarded and outright paranoia.

A hostess appeared with our coats. Grace snatched hers and pulled it on before I could move. Then she directed a frosty smile at Dante. “The food was wonderful. The bullshit that came afterward, however? I could’ve done without that.”

Dante’s unflappable expression never altered. “Tesoro mia, that was your date’s choice, not mine. I prefer to wine and romance a lovely lady if I am lucky enough to have her presence, not speak of unpleasant things.”

“Yeah, murder is damn unpleasant.”

Beside me, Danny stiffened. Marina reached out to stroke his arm, quietly soothing.

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