Page 11 of Bitter Spirits

Some of her agitation eased as she stopped moving to face him. “Leo met up with him sometime recently. I’d guess within the last week or so, though I can’t be sure. I got the impression they’re friendly but not best buds or anything.”

“Any idea where they met?”

Her head moved to shake but then stopped.

“Isa?” he asked.

She turned to him. “There was something about this building he was in, but I need to talk to Des—make sure I’m remembering things correctly.”

“Where’s Des now?”

“Back at Wonderland.” She rubbed her temples. “With Kelly.”

He nodded. “Good. Then we’ll head over, kill two birds one stone.”

Her gaze went to Leo’s body then back to him. “And we what—just leave him here?”

“We can’t exactly walk out with him.”

“What about calling the police?” she asked.

“You want to spend hours answering questions?”

She grimaced.

“Exactly.” He herded her toward the door.

She worried her bottom lip and frowned. “Doesn’t seem right to just walk away.”

“We aren’t.” He opened the front door and waved her through before following her into the hall. “I’ll make a call on our way to Wonderland.” He pulled the door closed and heard the lock engage.

“For what? A cleanup team?” Although she kept her voice low, there was no missing the edge to her question.

He put a hand at the base of her spine as they walked to the elevators. “No, to a detective.”

She gave him a sidelong look. “One on the Cordovas’ payroll?”

“We’ve offered him a private position, and he’s turned us down.” They reached the elevator, and he pressed the down arrow before looking at her. “Repeatedly.”

She gave a soft snort of disbelief. A soft ding sounded, and the silver doors slid open. Isa stepped inside and waited until he followed before hitting the button for the ground floor. Then she studiously ignored him as the doors closed.

Amused, he invaded her space, watching as color rose under her cheeks, her breathing sped up, and her eyes widened just the slightest bit. She made an irritated hiss that sounded like an angry wet kitten.

Unable to resist teasing her, he asked, “Problem?”

She tilted her head back, chin lifted, so she could glare at him, the gold in her eyes fairly glowing with her temper. “There’s plenty of room in here. You don’t have to be right on top of me.”

He bent his head just enough to breathe in the subtle sweet scent of vanilla-laced cinnamon as he put his lips next to her ear. “Maybe I want to be.”

Her color deepened as she turned into him, her lips coming perilously close to his. “Fair warning—I bite.”

He let his grin free. “So do I.”

Those kissable lips parted in an aroused gasp, but before he could prove his point, the elevator dinged and the doors opened. His dark chuckle chased Isa out into the lobby.

Chapter 5

Isa