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He pauses. “No. Do I agree with you that it was unwise? Yes, but I have no regrets. Still, my call now is strictly business.”
I bite my lip, torn between caution and the desperate need for any lead on Lazaro. And, dammit, I really want to see Henry again.
12
HENRY
Iarrive at the restaurant early, my nerves on edge. This dinner with Lana is a bad idea all around. I need information, but I can't let my guard down again. The call with Lana told me she feels the same, so I don’t have to worry about her flirting. That doesn’t make me feel better. I’m just as complicit in our ill-advised tryst last night, and my libido wants nothing more than to do it again.
I fidget with my tie, scanning the entrance. When Lana walks in, my breath catches. She's stunning in a form-fitting black dress, her dark hair cascading over one shoulder. For a moment, I forget why I'm here.
Lana spots me and saunters over, a hesitant smile playing on her lips. "Detective."
I stand to greet her. "Ms. D'Amato. Thank you for joining me."
She nods and sits in the chair I hold out for her, noticing that she hasn’t asked me to call her Lana. It feels like a punch to the gut.
I settle back into my seat, hyper-aware of her presence. "I hope you don't mind, but I took the liberty of ordering some wine."
She studies me for a moment. “Hoping it will loosen my tongue?”
The memory of her licking the precum off my dick last night flashes in my mind. Fucking hell.
“I thought it might relax us both.”
“So, not angling for a repeat of last night? I must say, you have an interesting way of interrogating women.”
She’s bantering, but it doesn’t have the humor of before. I’m not sure whether she’s wary or embarrassed.
“I think we’ve agreed that last night was… unprofessional of me. It won’t happen again.”
She sighs, settling back in her chair as the wine arrives. The server pours us each a glass. We both sip as if we need the moment.
“So is tonight about making sure I’m not somewhere in the city making trouble? Or is your partner raiding another business?” The lightness is back in her voice, and it’s unsettling how glad I am about it.
I smile. "Someone's got to keep an eye on you D'Amatos.”
She laughs, a rich, melodious sound that sends a shiver down my spine. "Ah, of course. And you've volunteered for the job, I see." Lana's eyes sparkle with mischief. "How dedicated of you."
I shrug, feigning nonchalance. "It's a tough job, but someone's gotta do it."
"And tell me, Henry, does this 'job' of yours typically involve intimate dinners and… nocturnal activities?"
I nearly choke on my wine. Is she just poking at me or testing me? “Apparently, only where you’re involved.”
“I’m a special case, then?"
"You could say that.” Inside, I want to take this woman away to a place where we can talk and laugh and fuck. What is it about her that draws me in like the proverbial moth to a flame?
I take a deep breath, steeling myself. It's time to steer this conversation in a more productive direction.
"Lana," I begin, my tone shifting to something more serious. "I've been thinking about your brother's disappearance. Did Lazaro have any enemies who might have wanted him gone?"
Lana's laughter catches me off guard. It's not the reaction I expected.
"Oh, Henry.” She shakes her head. "The better question would be who wasn't Lazaro's enemy. My brother had a unique talent for rubbing people the wrong way."
I lean forward. "Care to elaborate?"
