Page 72 of Don't Lie To Me

“I have eyes, Detective.” My gaze on him narrows. “Why would he and Onyx let you in this place otherwise? This apartment is Iron Stryker territory, and no smart cop would be seen down here unlesshe’s working with us or he wants to disappear. Onyx is here to protect me, I assume Romeo is here because he thinks he has some kind of control over me, and for whatever reason, my brother likes him. But you…” I tilt my head to the side, really looking him over. “You’re the cop investigating my club, trying to find this missing girl. Why would you be here unless one of them wants you here. I know everything there is to know about Onyx, so it has to be Romeo.” Even as I say the words, I know how untrue they are. I don’t know Onyx at all, and what has happened today alone is enough to prove it.

Reef continues to watch me, his eyes running over every inch of my face as if he’s trying to memorize the details. “I’m here because I found the missing girl and she’s in more trouble than she realizes.” With the back of his hand, his fingers brush down the side of my face, his touch sending electricity right through me. “This stalker isn’t after Sloane, he’s after Ava, and the three of us are the only ones who can protect her.”

The electricity turns to an icy-cold shiver running down my spine. Like someone has just walked over my grave. “How do you know that?”

“Because I’m good at my job.”

“Which one? The detective job or the private investigator one you did for Romeo?” I see the flinch of shock on his face, and I know I hit the nail on the head. That’s why he disappeared for six months. He was working with Romeo, getting every bit of information on me he could. “I know how to do my research as well, Reef. Don’t underestimate me, you will lose every time.”

His weight shifts and he moves a little closer to me, our faces just inches apart. “I didn’t realize we were competing.”

“Since you decided to spy on me rather than get to know me the usual way, I guess we are.” I run a hand up and over his chest, not ableto help touching him. There is this magnetic force between us that even I can’t control. “You have been keeping all your secrets locked up tight, even though you knew all of mine. Shame on you, Detective. But don’t worry, I plan on finding out every last thing there is about you and why you’re in my life. It’s only fair, after all.” I shove him in the chest, pushing him away from me before I act on my desires and kiss him again. I stalk down the hall, wishing I was wearing shoes for impact as my bare feet make it sound more like I’m sneaking away.

“What do you want to know, wildcat?” he calls after me.

Quickly I turn on the spot to face him. “Everything. But you can start with why you’re working with Romeo. The real reason, not some bullshit about having a common goal, that being me. You both started investigating me long before you knew me, long before you should have given two shits about protecting me.”

He considers me, and right as he’s about to speak, fucking Romeo comes into view and his mouth shuts up tight. A look passes between them, one I don’t quite understand, but it’s very clear they know each other well. I don’t know why I didn’t see it before tonight. The way Reef kissed me right in front of Romeo after our date, then the tension at the burger joint. I should have known there was more to the looks they were giving each other.

“There you two are, we were about to start dinner without you,” Romeo says, and I can see he’s assessing the situation between the two of us.

“Dinner?” I ask, because this all just feels so odd to me.

Romeo’s lips twist up at the side. “You owe me a date, doll face.”

I cross one arm over the other, my eyes fixing on him, the silence heavy between us. Is he for real? “It’s going to be mighty awkward with the other two watching us. Or is that what you’re all about, Romeo?”

Romeo chuckles lightheartedly, and Reef smirks at him, a knowing look in his eyes. Have they shared women before? Is that what Reef was going on about after the interview at the station today? “How about we all eat together then see where the night takes us.”

My eyes shift between them, their interaction a confusing dance of unspoken words and subtle gestures. All I know is they’re both hiding a mountain of secrets from me, and it’s driving me crazy. “I already know where the night is taking me. To bed alone.” I turn and stride away from the both of them, not missing the way they laugh together like old friends.

In the main living space, I find the dining table set for four, with flickering candlelight illuminating the shiny table and the tantalizing aroma of roasting vegetables and garlic drifting from the kitchen. Onyx’s eyes find mine, and I give him a what-the-fuck look that he shrugs off, looking indifferent to the whole scene. He places a couple of bottles of red wine in the center of the table then takes a seat. Pouring a glass to halfway, he holds it up for me to take.

Trying to relax the tension in my shoulders, I let out a heavy sigh and move toward him, taking the glass from his outstretched hand. I plonk myself down on the seat beside him, taking a swig. It’s delicious, expensive, and has a full body, with noticeable tannins and a complex aroma. I already know Romeo chose it, but Onyx poured it for me. Is this the start of what he was talking about in my room earlier?

A colorful vegetarian antipasto board is overflowing before us, loaded with cheeses, roasted vegetables glistening with olive oil, crusty little breads, vibrant dips, and grapes and figs. Someone has clearly invested a significant amount of time and energy into this, or they have paid someone else to put it all together.

Onyx’s hand runs over my thigh. My eyes shoot to his, surprised he’s touching me with other people around. Something changed forus in that bathroom tonight, alright. At least I hope it has. Romeo and Reef move back into the room together, a hint of mischief on their faces, and I don’t miss the way Onyx’s fingertips tighten on my thigh. Or is it that there is competition now and he’s actually willing to put up a fight for me.

Romeo takes a seat at the head of the table but also beside me, filling his glass. He looks way too pleased about something. Maybe that he pulled this off and got this date he has been so desperate to have. Even if there are four of us at the table instead of just the two of us.

Reef sits opposite me, taking the bottle from Romeo and filling his glass as well. He offers the bottle to Onyx, but he declines. He always does when he’s on duty, and I guess right now he thinks he is.

“A toast to our girl,” Romeo announces, a smug grin splitting his face, looking way too pleased with himself about having me here with him.

“I’m not your girl,” I remind him, bitchy as hell.

But it only makes his grin widen. He doesn’t care what I say, he thinks he has some claim to me. “The three of us will do whatever it takes to keep you safe, doll face. The psycho hunting you is as good as dead.” He clinks his glass with Reef’s as if the two of them are in agreeance about this.

I won’t toast to that shit. I know I’m more than capable of taking care of myself. Instead, I drink down the rest of my wine, needing something to help me escape all this. Normally I would throw myself into work at the club, but I can’t even do that. I’m stuck here with these three and this awkward-as-hell dinner.

Onyx collects an assortment of items from the platter and places them on a plate, before he hands it to me. “Eat,” he commands, and I look at him like he’s grown a third eye.

I go to open my mouth to tell him to piss off, I’ll get my own food, but as I do, his eyes narrow and my stomach knots up, remembering our conversation while we were screwing. He was deadly serious. Tentatively I take the plate from him and place it down in front of me. He’s picked all my favorite items. I wouldn’t have put this plate together any differently myself. The way he knows me inside and out is a little unnerving when I realize how little I really know about him. I collect up one of the little breads and cheese and pop it in my mouth. It’s delicious, and I go back for a second mouthful.

The others fill their plates and start eating as well. The silence is uncomfortable, to a point where I can’t stand it anymore. I grab for the bottle of wine, and Onyx takes it from me, filling my glass just to halfway. I blink back at him. “You’re rationing my wine now as well?”

“Are you questioning me?” His brow rises, challenging me.

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