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He’s a persistent little asshole; I can give him that much credit.

“There’s been a development in the case. DNA evidence places her with the body at the time of death.”

My blood freezes.

Nico and I had been together the entire day, my hair was probably all over his clothing. Other evidence might have been left on other parts of him, too.

“So? She was with a guy who got himself killed later. You’ll need more than that.” Rurik’s response comes straightaway, no hesitation.

My heart is going to break a speed record. Whatever he does to keep this calm, I need to learn the technique.

“It really is in her best interest to speak with me.”

“You brought two uniforms with you to have a conversation?”

“Past conversations haven’t been productive. If she can’t answer my questions, we’ll need to take her to the station to detain her. I’m sure you understand the way these things go.”

“You’re going to want to answer that,” Rurik says, but I don’t hear anything.

A moment later, the detective answers his phone. He excuses himself, and steps away from the door. Once he’s further away, Rurik relaxes and leans his shoulder against the door frame. Giving me a better view of what’s happening.

Detective Calloway stands a few feet behind the two uniformed officers on the phone. He doesn’t look happy. In fact, he looks down right pissed. His face is turning a shade of red I haven’t seen before.

“Sorry about this, Mr. Mikhailov.” One of the officers says with a grimace.

“I understand.” Rurik gives a sharp nod. “You understand I can’t let you take her.”

Both officers nod in unison. “We didn’t think you’d let it come to that, no. Just here to be sure things don’t get out of hand.”

He knows these guys? Or they know him. I’m not sure if I’m more impressed or frightened by that realization. What I do know is that it’s sort of hot.

No. Absolutely not. I have to stop this way of thinking. Just because he seems to have the world by the ballseverywhere he goes, does not mean he’s a good guy. In fact, I know he’s not. He shot that guy in the woods right between his eyes. That wasn’t a lucky shot, that was a finely honed skill.

He works for the mafia for shit’s sake. No, I will not find his skills attractive. And what happened upstairs before these cops showed up is never happening again. It messes with my brain when he is able to make my body sing so sweetly.

Yes. No more kisses. And absolutely no more sex.

“Let’s go.” The detective snaps after he ends his call. “I want her at the station tomorrow. She has information.”

“If Ms. Pierce wants to speak with you, she’ll let you know. In the morning, you will be talking to my attorney, however.”

“She has an attorney? Why would someone so innocent need a lawyer?” His whiny little voice hurts my ears.

“He’ll be addressing your conduct. Not hers. You’ve been fucking with phone calls and wire transfers, all without a warrant, I’m sure.” Rurik steps back into the penthouse and slams the door shut right in the bald-headed, beady-eyed detective’s face.

I’m all smiles when he turns around. I’ve never seen anything so fucking beautiful.

It’s short lived. My smiles. Because when his eyes hit mine, I can feel the tension.

“When I used my phone, he was able to tell where I was,” I say before he can start his lecture.

He nods, slow and barely a movement, but it counts as a nod. I think he doesn’t trust himself to say much right now.

“You said he was messing with the phones and the wires? How do you know that?” Maybe if I can keep him focused on the facts, he won’t blow his top.

He rolls his shoulders back and takes a deep breath. I think he’s counting under his breath.

“Yes.” He finally says. “He messed with Megan’s phone so that no unknown number would go through, or texts. Since your burner wasn’t in her contact list, you couldn’t get to her.”