Free Dangerous Kisses (Siren Publishing Classic) by Tonya Ramagos Page A

movements jerky, and her expression cold as ice. Yeah, no doubt about it, the woman was pissed and sexy as hell in her anger.
    “When they finish combing this place, you’ll be allowed to move the fish back to the main tank. I’ve told Cusack it will have to be done. They don’t need to stay in the holding tank any longer than necessary.”
    Drake nodded, studying her. She was all business, her emotions guarded, her tone revealing nothing. “Okay.”
    “Can you handle the job without me? You’ll have Tracey and Mark here to help.”
    “Where are you going?”
    “To check out your story.”
    “You think I did it, don’t you?” He had noticed the way she had backed up from him after he told her the knife belonged to him. She hadn’t said anything when he told her he didn’t kill Paul, either. He searched her eyes for something that would tell him what she was thinking, but the wall she had slammed into place hid her thoughts well. The woman was good. He would give her that. He had always been able to read her like a book, easily picking up on her attraction to him, never once doubting the dark passion she craved and her fears of giving into those hungers. But, when it came to reading her now, the book was closed and padlocked shut.
    “I think I have a murder that needs investigating, and that’s what I’m about to do.”
    “Then Cusack isn’t taking me in yet?”
    “No, but he is stationing uniforms through the building. They will remain here while you finish up.”
    “Do I get to take them home with me, too?”
    “You’re not under surveillance, Drake, but I wouldn’t plan any spur-of-the-moment trips out of town.”
    “Spoken like a true detective.”
    Her lips actually twitched. “I am a true detective.”
    “Does that mean you’re officially off vacation?”
    “Not officially, but I’ve made it clear to Cusack that I’m not backing away from this.”
    “I should be done here by ten. Meet me at the bar in the Bicycle Club tonight.” Drake didn’t ask her. He told her. Whether or not she believed him, she apparently knew how to separate what they had started last night from the job stealing her focus now, and so could he.
    She stared at him for a long moment and he saw the wall lower, saw the heat return to her eyes. She swallowed, bowed her head, and laughed. When she looked at him again, the hunger was back, and he knew she wouldn’t say no.
    “I’ll be there.”
     
    * * * *
     
    Robert Warren lived on the sixth floor of the Gulf Towers apartment building directly across from the beach and a mere two miles down the strip from the M.P. Colton Aquarium. Megan studied the aging apartment building as she walked with Cusack through the lobby, past a small bar on the first floor, to the elevator that would take them up.
    “I’m not ending your vacation,” Cusack told her as the elevator doors swished closed. “I’ll let you dig on your own time. I’ll allow you to tag along with me. I’ll keep you in the loop, but this is my case, and it will remain that way. Anything you find out gets reported to me. Got it?”
    “Got it.” Megan glanced at him, knowing he wasn’t following protocol and surprised he wasn’t demanding she keep her nose out of the case. “And thanks.”
    “You would never use your position to cover for someone. I know that. You’re going to be driven to find Paul’s killer because he meant so much to you. I know that, too. I also realize you know more about the people involved than anyone in the department. I still think you’re too close to the case, but, at the same time, I believe you have a level enough head to use it right.”
    The elevator dinged as it stopped on the sixth floor, and the doors slid open. Cusack gestured for her to walk out first. The air in the hallway smelled musty. Dim lights cast shadows on chipped walls and stained carpet.
    She scanned the numbers on the apartment doors as she walked down the hall, noting more chipped paint, broken