Page 78 of Kiss Me Honey Hone

“Excuse me for thinking there’s something a little more important than data collection and analysis going on.” Aaron dropped into the leather chair across from him, the lingering warmth from Vinnie’s seat making him grimace. He shifted, uncomfortable, then gestured toward the door. “I don’t like him, by the way.”

Kenny raised an eyebrow. “What’s wrong with Vinnie?”

“He was in here.”

Kenny wiped his glasses on his sleeve, sliding them back into place, and when his eyes locked onto Aaron, the authority in them made Aaron’s pulse quicken. “You can’t hate everyone who sits in that chair.”

“Watch me.”

Kenny fixed his gaze on Aaron as if issuing a silentchallenge. Aaron swallowed hard. God, he had it bad for this man. The way Kenny’s shirt stretched across his shoulders, the subtle smirk tugging at his lips—it was all too much and not enough.

“What happened at the station?” Aaron asked, keeping to a less uncomfortable subject.

“I gave my statement. They’ll probably come to you for confirmation of where you were.”

“And what do you want me to say?”

“The truth.”

Aaron’s lips curved into a sly grin. “How much truth are we talking? Like, full-colour detail, or just the PG highlights?”

Kenny shot him a warning look, lowering his voice. “Just that you stayed over. I doubt they’ll ask specifics.”

“Shame. Quite fancy reliving it.”

“Maybe another time.”

“Yeah?”

“If you behave.”

“Reckon you quite like it when I don’t.”

Kenny exhaled, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Aaron, as much as I appreciate your… concern right now, I’ve got a mountain of things to get through. So if you could—”

“I went to see Taylor.”

Kenny’s head snapped up, tension rippling through his posture. “Right.”

“He’s a mess.”

“Understandable.”

“Yeah. Sometimes forget how real people don’t handle murder well.”

“Hmm.”

Aaron drummed his fingers on his knees. “Turns out Carly was looking into the Howells. Specifically,Child A.And now her files on that are missing. Which probably have my name scrawled all over them.”

Kenny’s jaw clenched, his silence saying more than words could.

Aaron’s eyes narrowed. “That’s a big, fat motive, isn’t it?”

“Aaron…”

“Don’t do that.” Aaron waggled a finger at Kenny. “I know you’re holding back. You know something, don’t you?”

Kenny lowered his voice. “I can’t discuss this here. Not with you.”

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