Oh, I sure as fuck did. Lila folded for me until she came. On my thigh, my bed, and my couch. And when we’re done today, I’ll make her fold for me all over again.
But that’snotwhat Grant’s asking.
Hiding my smug grin in the interest of discretion, I keep my face and voice flat. “Yes. I have officially made Lila Kent a CI.”
I also made her squirt all over my bed. Both huge accomplishments, but only one should be etched on my headstone. You can figure out which.
McBride tucks his thumbs in his belt. “What’d she give you?”
Her virginity, five years ago. The best orgasms of my life, last night and this morning. And blue balls, all the years in between.
Jesus. Fuck.Why does this conversation keep sending my mind to the gutter?
Agent Carson sidles up on the other side of me. “What the hell is that smile about, Hayes?”
We all flinch at her sudden appearance.
“Fucking hell, woman,” Hemsley grumbles at her, acting put out. “Give us a warning before you slither up like that.”
She cuts him a seething glare. “Save your breath, Grant. You’ll need it to blow up your girlfriend later.” Without giving him a chance to react, her face falls lax, bordering on pleasant as she addresses me. “Seriously, why are you excreting joy and farting rainbows? Someone you hate die or something?”
I spread my arms wide. “What the fuck is up with everyone this morning? I’m not acting differently than any other day.”
Bianca shrugs while twisting the cap off a water bottle. “If you say so.”
Luke cranes his neck to peer around me, trading knowing looks with Carson. “I ain’t buying his cow shit either, BB.”
A night of hot sex with the love of my life, and apparently, I’ve developed the bubbly personality of an activities director on a Disney Cruise.
Redirecting us back to the case, I answer McBride’s question, sticking to the facts. “Here’s what Lila put on the record. She was forced to help them cheat after they kidnapped Kenzie, exactly as we figured. Miraculously, they returned my sister unharmed after about five weeks. Andrews and I will get her statement eventually. I don’t think she’s worth looking at as a CI. She was a pawn.”
“Is she okay?” Hemsley asks. “Physically? Emotionally?”
“Haven’t talked to her yet.” I shrug. “Lila reassured me she’s doing much better since her release. There were no sexual assaults or ongoing abuse during her time as their captive. Just a little banged up from putting up a fight when they captured her. Said they fed her and treated her fairly well, all things considered.”
Glances are traded between the three of them like fucking Pokémon cards.
If I could trust myself to bet, I’d wager they’re wondering why I’m so detached when I speak about my sister. They’d understand if they knew how we were raised and what Kenzie did to Lila and me. But whatever.
Moving on.
“Also, the chemical traces we found in the air vent at Hartley’s house are likely the invisible dye they made Lila use to mark cards. The cheaters wear special contact lenses or glasses to see the dye. That’s further proof of Hartley’s involvement in the casino spree. Which reminds me...” I reach into my pocket, retrieving the plastic bag. “These are the rings she used. Each one emits a different color ink, so they knew face cards from the rest.”
Hemsley grabs the bag, inspecting the rings through the clear plastic. “Interesting approach. Wonder how they work.”
“Lila doesn’t know,” I respond, careful not to smile at her name on my tongue.
McBride watches Hemsley twisting and turning the rings around, then faces Bianca and me. “I reckon this is the reason Riddick and the unsub tortured the location of the chemical out of Hartley before killing him. Can’t mark cards without dye.”
Less interested in the science of the rings, Carson asks, “Is Lila willing to talk to Silas for us while wired up? We should also send her back to work at the casino under surveillance to help us catch as many players as possible. She game for that?”
I mash my lips tightly, trying to mask my instinctual reaction to putting Lila in danger. “Although nervous about it, she’s up for wearing a wire. She wants to take them all down as much as we do. Maybe more.”
Carson nods, her grin spreading.
I crick my head to the side to loosen the tension brewing. “Also, Chase wants Lila to call Silas ASAP after we’re done with this update.”
That gets a bigger smile out of her. “With any luck, he’ll answer, and we can get his location from a cell tower since we can’t find him any other way.”
