“Meaning?”
I hit several more keys, doing a deep dive the forensic accountants at the FBI would be proud of, as I followed the money trail across countries and oceans.
“Meaning, if you want someone’s attention, you get in their space and don’t leave.”
“You know what? You can go?—”
“Cooper is actually a fantastic example. First, you stalked him, skulked around all shady and shit in the shadows, watching him. Then, because he’s apparently got a death wish—or maybe just because he’s got that journalistic need to put himself in danger for a story—he ended up falling for you because you kept showing up, as both his stalker and?—”
“The hot coffee guy.”
I rolled my eyes. “Oh, please. You just wanted to be near him. Admit it. Always in his space, always watching.”
Lachlan reached for the whiskey bottle and poured himself another drink.“I’m not admitting shit. But if we’re talking about people watching other people…” He glanced toward the monitors on my left that currently showed each entrance of Libertine, and one monitor that was currently blank.
The camera monitoring St. Andrews.
“Youshould know all about that.”
I grunted but didn’t respond. Of all the people in Libertine, I was closest with Lachlan. He was a hellraiser, the enforcer of our crew, and usually that meant our working close together to get shit done in a covert manner.We both knew how to keep a secret, and he was the one person who’d kept mine. He knew about the camera I kept on Rafael, but had never brought it up…until now.
“I just like to make sure he’s okay.”
“I mean, that’s all I was doing with Cooper too.”
I narrowed my eyes on the I-know-your-secret smirk crossing his lips. “Fuck you.”
“Hey, I’m not judging you.” He let out a loud laugh and took a sip of his drink. “But just remember, God is.”
I flipped him off, and as I turned back to my computer, an alert came up on one of the screens.
“Bingo, motherfucker!” I shouted, and shot to my feet, as the connection I’d been hoping for appeared between Asshole One and Asshole Two.
“What just happened?”
“A twofer, that’s what,” I said before scooping up the bottle and taking a swig straight from it to celebrate. “I’m a genius. Have I mentioned that before?”
“Well, not lately. You’ve kind of been a mopey loser, but?—”
“That’s in the past, fucker.” Another swig and it was time to putthatdown. “I just found the link. I rock, you’re welcome. Feel free to buy me another bottle of that, or hell, a whole carton.”
I did a quick victory dance that had Lachlan shaking his head, and as my eyes swept the room, they skidded to a stop on Lucien, who was lounging against the entry, dressed head to toe in his usual black-on-black attire, looking suave as fuck.
Where I was in jeans, a t-shirt, and sneakers.
It was clear why his establishment was upstairs and mine was down in the catacomb tunnels the seven of us kept hidden away.
“We having a party?” Lucien smiled when Lachlan jolted in surprise.
“Would it hurt to announce yourself, asshole?”
“Where would the fun be in that?”
Lachlan scoffed, but settled back in his chair muttering, “Slinks in here like a fucking panther.”
“Hey, pot—meet kettle.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Lachlan rolled his eyes. “What are you doing here? Don’t you have a wedding to plan or some shit?”
