She got into the car, started the engine.
Once Hirzog was in his car, she whispered into the comm, “All clear.”
“I’m sitting right behind you,” Luciano said.
She startled, then glanced into the rearview mirror. With a smoldering gaze, Luciano winked.
“How’d you get back in?” she asked.
“Ninja.”
She drove out. “He said Jerod’s got a psychosexual hold on him.”
“They’re both lying, cheating scumbags,” Luciano bit out.
“Sounds like Peter’s being manipulated.”
“Or he’s doing the manipulating. Either way, we need some damn answers.”
LUCIANO
Simone stoppedat the mansion gates. Luciano gave the guard the code, the gates opened, and she drove up the driveway. Rather than park at the fountain, she continued around back to the underground garage.
As she drove in, Luciano contemplated the irony of Simone’s life. Years earlier, the mansion had been her home. Was she ready to make it her home again?
I want her to live here with me.
With clasped hands, they walked to the elevator. Their breathing had fallen into sync, the pull to draw her into his arms and love her had his blood pounding through his veins. But, tonight, he wanted her to know his true feelings. The ones he’d barely admitted to himself.
In the elevator, she said, “I could use a nightcap.”
The door opened, she took off toward the kitchen. Rather than sit, she pulled a glass from his cabinet. “Am I drinking alone? And don’t think I won’t.”
He loved that, despite the intense pressure she was under, there was a playful tone in her voice.
“Brandy?” he asked.
“Perfect.”
He pulled a bottle of aged brandy from his cabinet, poured two glasses. Together, they sat at the center island.
She raised her glass. “To you, for being so damn patient.”
They tapped glasses, sipped the after-dinner liquor.
“How am I patient?”
“Your methods are different from mine. Mine take time. I have to gather information, build a case, find evidence. Your ways are cunning, manipulative, forceful. They get results fast.”
“You have skill and finesse. You threw Hirzog a lifeline. I would never have done that. I would have taken advantage of the situation and gone for his jugular. Forced a confession.”
Her shoulders fell. “Maybe I should have?—”
“No, you’re handling this right. You can’t force him to give you information. Youdon’tplay your hand, Simone. I love that about you.”
Her pupils dilated, a shadow fell over her face. “Ilove how you say my name. It’s the sexiest thing ever.”
He shot her a smile. “No.” He stroked her cheek with the back of his hand, combed his fingers through her long hair. “You, naked, beneath me is the sexiest thing ever.”
