Page 15 of Be Very Quiet

Warren studied him with barely leashed hostility. “There have been no incidents since I’ve been here.”

Warren might like to think he was a badass, but he was no match for Luca. He wasn’t the least bit intimidated, nor was he backing down. “How long is that?”

It took so long for Warren to answer, Luca was beginning to think he wouldn’t. Through gritted teeth, he admitted, “Three weeks.”

Three freaking weeks and the man had the audacity to give Luca attitude? Luca planned on calling the security company for more details and Warren’s qualifications.

He accepted the key Warren handed him, signed some papers, and headed to the stairs. When he reached the eighth floor, he opened the door and casually checked the hallway before heading to the unit directly across from Liliana’s condo. He slipped inside and nodded his approval at the accommodations.

The place was updated, with wood floors, stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, and a killer view of the beach. He opened the sliding glass door and stepped outside, letting the sound of the waves wash over him. The fact that his rental faced the ocean meant Liliana’s didn’t. It also signified the mortgage on this apartment would be hundreds of dollars more, if not thousands. Totally worth it, in his opinion.

Luca checked his watch. It was getting late, but having been a detective, he knew Diego Torres was probably still on the job, trying to locate the murderer. The first forty-eight hours of an investigation were crucial. It could mean the difference between a solved case or a cold one.

Luca sent him a text with basic information on how he’d worked a similar scene a few years ago and that he’d like to discuss the current murder with him. Then he grabbed his suitcase and headed to the bathroom to shower off the plane stench.

As he stood under the steaming spray of water, he reflected on the treatment he’d received from Liliana. He knew suddenly showing up at her business would shock her, but he thought she’d be excited too, maybe jump into his arms. Luca wanted to hold her close, murmur comforting words in her ear. He wanted to kiss her again, pick up where they’d left off ten years ago. Instead, she’d treated him as if he was a nasty, annoying gnat she wanted to swat. It had hurt both his pride and his heart.

Luca had thought of her over the years. Time might’ve lessened his feelings, but her dismissal was a crushing blow. The Liliana he remembered had long raven hair, frightened green eyes, and a sweetness that was pure and innocent. This Liliana had short black hair, eyes filled with determination, and a spine encased in steel. But she was still so incredibly beautiful she took his breath away.

Luca had just slid on a pair of shorts when a firm knock sounded on his door. The only person who knew where he was, besides the people in his office, was Warren. Had he pissed off the security guard so much that he wanted to give Luca a hard time? Maybe he forgot to sign a form.

He swiped a shirt, slid it over his head, and stuck his arms through the holes before grabbing his weapon and checking the peephole. It was a dark-haired man, his head on a swivel. Luca instantly pegged him as a cop and knew it would be Detective Diego Torres before he opened the door.

As if sensing Luca was checking him out, the man held up a badge. Luca stuck his gun in the back waistband of his shorts and opened the door, careful to stay out of sight in case Liliana happened to look through her peephole.

“Luca Russo?”

“Detective Torres,” he responded. “Come in.”

The man moved by him, his hand on the GLOCK 22 holstered at his side, letting Luca know he’d pull the weapon if necessary. Untrusting soul. Luca appreciated the sentiment. He glanced at Liliana’s door before closing his. “How did you find me?”

The detective’s left brow arched. “I’m a cop. Got any ID?”

Luca jerked a thumb over his shoulder. “It’s over there. Mind if I get it?”

“Please do.”

Luca retrieved the leather folio from a pocket in his pants and handed it to Torres. The detective studied it, glanced at Luca, and then back at the picture before nodding and returning it to him. “I spoke with your boss.” Now it was Luca’s turn to lift a brow. “I had to make sure you weren’t some wingnut trying to nose into my case.”

“Fair enough.” Luca would’ve done the same thing in his shoes. It meant that Torres was suspicious, competent, and detail-orientated. Those traits would come in handy in solving the case.

“Have you had dinner?”

“No.” Luca didn’t count the burger since it’d been the first thing he’d eaten all day.

“I know a place nearby that serves the best seafood, and I’m starving.”

“Let me change.”

Luca switched the T-shirt for a button-down so he could conceal his weapon. Then he slid on his tactical pants and all-terrain boots. Detective Torres was staring at the view when he returned.

“Nice place.”

“It is.”

“You carrying?”

“Always.”

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