Page 58 of Wicked Lord

Micah gave a casual shrug and pushed his glasses back up his nose. “Since you won’t help me find out what happened to Susanna, I have to resort to extreme measures.” He circled his hand around the dim office. “There has to be something in here that can point me in the right direction.”

“What the fuck are you three doing in here?”

On instinct, I stepped in front of Lorelei like a shield and faced none other than Vaughn as he loomed in the now open door.

He crossed his arms, dark eyes radiating murder. “Someone better start talking.”

CHAPTER 24

FAKE SEX

Lorelei

Shit. After the debacle at the house we broke into and Brock’s threatening visit, I couldn’t let Axel take the blame for this one.I’ve got this. Pushing around Ax’s hulking frame, I staggered forward, teetering on my stilettos.

From the corner of my eye, I caught Axel’s fingers flying over his cell. Really? He had to answer a text, right now?

Focusing on the matter at hand, I called on my best impression of Greta Battenberg after her nightly martinis. I shuffled toward Vaughn, batted my lashes, and curled an arm around the back of his neck.

“Oh, hey you.” I booped his nose, then dragged my finger down his lips. “This is a fan-fucking-tastic party.” I slurred every word, drawing out each syllable as I continued a trail down his chest. “This had to be your doing, wasn’t it, Vaughn? I don’t remember the parties being this fab when Bass was the boss…”

Vaughn’s fingers curled around mine before I hit his belt buckle, and he pushed me out to arm’s length, clearing his throat.

“What the hell are you all doing in my office?” He glared over my head at Axel and Micah.

“Sorry, my bad,” I continued the charade, jutting out my bottom lip and remaining between him and my boyfriend. “I was looking for the ladies’ room, and I just stumbled in here. What is in that punch you’re serving downstairs? It is strong!”

“Into my locked office?” His gaze settled on Ax once again as he arched an eyebrow.

“You must have left it open,” Axel responded before reaching for me and tucking me into his side. “Lore is pretty skilled with her hands, but I doubt even she could pick a locked door.”

I stared up at my boyfriendall googly eyed. It was starting to become much too easy.

“I guess we’ll check the cameras and see…”

Oh, shit cameras? What kind of secret information did Vaughn hide in this office that needed twenty-four-hour surveillance?

“Is that really necessary?” Micah’s voice went up an octave or two.

Way to keep your cool, dude.

Vaughn’s wary gaze skimmed over the newest addition to the fraternity. “What are you doing with these two, anyway, Micah?”

“He wasn’t with us, you paranoid bastard,” Ax snarled.

“Micah was helping me find the bathroom,” I blurted. “I bumped into him in the hall.”

Micah jerked his thumb at me. “I was trying to get her out of here.”

“Then I showed up.” Axel released me and folded his thick arms across his chest. “You got any more questions, Vaughn?”

“No, I don’t, Vanderhart, because I can get all the answers I need once I head down to the basement and check the video archives.”

“Have fun with that.” Axel snorted. “Scanning hours of video footage seems way more entertaining than indulging in the party in the VIP room.” He laced his fingers through mine and tugged me toward the door. “Let’s go, blondie. There’s a special room I want you to see.”

“Mmm, I can’t wait.”

Vaughn spun around and headed us off at the door. “I guess you’re not even trying to keep this thing between you a secret anymore?”