Page 34 of Bourbon and Secrets

“They made the dance floor bigger,” I say as he pulls out my chair for me and holds my hand as I hop up.

Cortez points at the far back as he tells me, “They bought the movie theater next door, blew out the back side of this place, doubling its size. Maybe even more than double.”

I look at the left side of the room that’s buzzing with the energy of a full band playing. At the back of the dance floor, there are industrial-sized garage doors opened. Despite the cooler air outside, with this many bodies moving in here, it’s plenty warm. Shrugging off my jacket as I glance around, my eye catches on a Foxx, sans glasses as he moves a curvy little brunette around the floor.It’s like I can’t escape him. And who the hell is that? Mystomach swoops and sinks like I’m on a damn rollercoaster ride. I really don’t need a Foxx-sized distraction right now.

“Shit,” I whisper.

Cortez follows what just caught my eye. I know the minute he sees Lincoln. Without looking back at me, he says, “There’s not something going on between you and Foxx, is there?”

My eyebrow quirks as he meets my gaze. “Wouldn’t need to know that information even if there was, would you, Cortez?”

He smiles against the mouth of his beer and then takes a swig. “You can see how I might be concerned about you rubbing elbows”—he glances down at the cleavage I know is peeking out of my jean vest—“orother thingswith one of the Foxx brothers.”

I raise my eyebrows. Ballsy thing to say, but I try to school my reaction to it. He can think whatever he’d like. I’m more interested in doing this job and coming out of it in one piece. “You know I’m going to need more details if you think I plan on setting foot inside of that private event.”

Nodding, he leans in a bit closer so he doesn’t have to yell over the band. The music shifts from something bluegrass to a cover of Dolly’s“9 to 5.”

“We knew that Blackstone was heading to Fiasco, but the fact that he’s got some kind of connection to Foxx Bourbon...Let’s just say, that isn’t the businessman I had expected him to be dealing with while he’s here. I can’t give you everything on this one, Faye. You can know what we need you to, but beyond that, my hands are tied.”

My phone buzzes next to me, just as Cortez signals the waitress.

UNKNOWN

Are you on a date?

For some reason, instead of nerves, a whirl in my chest has me looking toward the dance floor where Lincoln was just dancing. He’s not there any longer. Where did he go?I scan the space. Instead, he’s off to the side, leaning on the railing, and staring right back at me with a curious smile.

FAYE

Wrong number.

I look back up and give him a tight-lipped sarcastic smile.

UNKNOWN

Interesting choice. Cortez. FBI. Seems dangerous considering the little secret I know about you.

FAYE

Like I said . . . wrong number.

UNKNOWN

Unless that’s not really a date. Want to tell me what you’re really doing back in Fiasco, Peach?

I swallow my nerves and try to think on my feet about what I could possibly say that’ll keep Lincoln from running with that thought.

“I’ll have two shots of tequila with two limes and a club soda,” I say to the waitress, just before she’s out of earshot.

Cortez chuckles. “Do I want to know what just changed fromI’ll just have waterto a bachelorette party-level order?”

My saccharine smile masks what I’m saying for anyone who might be looking. “I don’t think you do. But I am going to be very clear with you.”

We have a stand-off of silence until the waitress comes back with our drink order. I don’t waste any time taking the first shot,and then squeezing the lime into the club soda. Taking a sip, I let the bubbles coat my tongue. I hate that I’m rattled. The tart lime levels out the bite of the tequila and I pocket my phone trying to play off that whoever was on the other end of my messages didn’t just drive me to take out my aggression with a side of tequila.

Cortez leans back in his chair and takes a sip of his beer as he watches me.

“I’m not going to be some expendable pawn in this case with Blackstone.” I kick back the second shot. “And respectfully, fuck you for thinking I’m going to walk into a situation where I don’t know the entire story. Your hands are tied?”

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