Page 72 of Paternal Instincts
Aslan snagged my chin and drew me in for a quick kiss in front of everyone. He knew I wasn’t a fan of excessive public displays, especially when working, but he didn’t care. “You are not the same insecure man I used to date, Quaid Valor.”
“You’re all talk. I know you don’t flirt with her.”
“Or anyone.”
Jordyn made a purposeful gagging noise. “Can you two stop. I just ate.”
One last quick kiss, and I pulled back. “On second thought, let Costa take care of the warrant.”
“Whoa. Why me? Madison doesn’t want in my pants.”
I appraised my panicky IT boy-space-friend. “I can’t see why not. You’re decently good-looking.”
Costa flinched. “Excuse me? Decently?”
“Show her your tattoos.” I motioned to his arms. “Or open an extra button at your collar and flaunt the pec dip.”
“Decently?”
Aslan mock whispered, “I think your boyfriend wants to hear you say he’s sexy. Go on. Tell him. It won’t hurt my feelings. I promise.”
Costa jabbed a finger in Aslan’s face. “You did not put a space that time.”
Aslan licked his finger and pressed it to Costa’s arm, making a sizzling sound. “Yep. He’s smokin’ hot. Madison should go for it.”
“Jesus fucking Christ.” Costa threw Aslan off. “Don’t we have a kid to find?”
Jordyn stood, her chair screeching as she shoved it back. “Good fucking god. I hate men. I’m suffocating on way too much testosterone. Open a fucking window next time. Now listen up. This is what’s happening.” She pointed at Costa. “You write up a warrant, get it signed without being charged with sexual harassment, then find out if Benedict is skimming money from NexGen or how the hell a retiree can afford to pay his daughter-in-law, whom he despises, thousands of dollars a month.”
She swung a finger between Aslan and me. “You two sex fiends go back to the house and chat with Nixon.Do notstop for a quickie onthe way. Find out what he knows about this, and if it’s nothing, then haul ass to the grandparents’ house and interrogate them until you get some fucking answers.”
I frowned. “What about you?”
“In case you forgot, we have two people warming interview rooms upstairs—if they’re still there. I don’t know about Jude, but I have a strong feeling Clementine might know something. She spent time in the Davises’ house. I’m not sold on an affair, but Imogen fired her for a reason, right? I highly doubt it was for nothing. Maybe the nanny saw or heard something she wasn’t supposed to.”
I went to open my mouth to tell Jordyn that I’d already briefly spoken to Clementine, but my partner was in a mood, and I figured it was easier to apologize later when she found out on her own.
Jordyn paused, and we all stared at her. My pint-sized partner could be intimidating as hell when she wanted to be. It was no surprise to anyone that she handed me my ass every week when we sparred at the gym.
When nobody moved, she clapped her hands. “Go. What are you waiting for? Get answers.”
We launched into action as Costa’s phone vibrated on the desk. Simultaneously, we stopped as he picked it up.
He read whatever message had come in and nodded. “The FedEx depot sent over their video footage for me to review.” Before Jordyn could bark another order, he added, “Already on my list, Your Highness.”
Chapter 17
Aslan
Quaid checked his phone as we rode the elevator to ground level. The obsessive habit had developed after Bryn’s last doctor’s appointment. He tested the volume level several times a day, convinced he would miss the call, announcing she was heading to the hospital.
Despite being locked into a case, his disappointment at finding no message showed. He pocketed the device with an audible sigh.
“How are you holding up?” I took his hand and drew him into my arms.
He leaned heavily, tucking his face against my neck, his lips ghosting my skin as he responded. “I’m tired.”
“We didn’t sleep much last night.”
