Page 92 of Hard Heart

“So much for keeping his hands off the damn minor. I tried to look out for her. So did Ruby, and all the time, the threat was coming from inside the house. Motherfucker.”

“There’s one additional complication.”

Levi groaned. “I don’t want to know.”

“I think this other blonde woman is Zach’s fiancée, although I have no clue why she’s sitting with Lucas Collins.”

“Who the hell is Lucas Collins?”

“A movie star. He starred in an erotic thriller with Dawson’s girlfriend, so maybe that’s the connection?”

Ever since Sera came into his life, there were times when Levi had felt a spark of hope, but then on days like today, it died completely.

“If you try talking to any of them, they’ll close ranks.”

“That does seem probable, yes.”

“Which leaves…Jerry and Grey.”

“I can’t find Jerry. There’s literally nothing online about her at all. But we have a PI on staff at work, and Raelene said I can brief him. Do you think I should try Greyson first? He’s the one person we know for sure wasn’t involved in the actual murder.”

“He’s also the least likely to help.” But what did they have to lose? “Fuck it, try him. If you can find a way to get in touch, you might as well ask.”

“I can go through his office. If I keep it vague and ask him to get in touch about an important matter, perhaps I’ll be able to open a dialogue?”

“Grey’s a transactional asshole. You need him to think there’s something in it for him.”

“Like votes?”

“Or publicity.”

“What if I invited him for a photo op with the Justice Project?”

“He’s smart enough to read between the lines.” Levi closed his eyes for a moment and considered just how desperate he was to get out of this hellhole. “But he’s also a skirt-chasing prick. I hate to say this, but if he ignores your email, find out where congressmen go for after-hours drinks in DC, put on that red dress, and ask him to buy you a cocktail.”

Grey would go for a woman like Sera. Curvy, beautiful, feisty…

“That dress is at least two sizes too small, plus it’s evidence.”

Levi leaned across the table. “Then use Ruby’s money and buy yourself a new one. Your cleavage could stop traffic.”

Sera swallowed hard. “Got it.”

He just hoped he hadn’t made his biggest mistake by sending her into the lion’s den.

“Good. Now, stop talking about those other dicks and focus on mine.”

CHAPTER 27

SERAFINA

I’d been hoping for a reply from Greyson or a breakthrough with the DNA testing, but what we got was so much worse. A total blindside.

“Ohmigosh, ohmigosh, ohmigosh,” Heidi squeaked. “Did you see what Miss Scarlett posted?”

The name sounded vaguely familiar, but…but I couldn’t recall who that was. And no, I hadn’t seen what she’d posted because now I spent my evenings checking my emails and my Google alerts, watching the live feed from the House of Representatives to see what Greyson Meyer was up to, and trawling through car forums on the hunt for the elusive Stark, just in case the DNA lead didn’t pan out. There were a surprising number of red Audis with loud exhausts and bits of go-faster plastic stuck all over them. And car people talked in code.

But I wouldn’t give up, not when Levi was stuck in prison and depending on me.