Page 52 of Beneath the Light of the Moon

“Depends.”

“Well, the same can be said for me too,” he said. “But I think once you get to know me, once you give me a chance, you’ll like what you find.”

Resisting the urge to shake her head, Anika forced a grin. “Of course, but as much as I enjoy your company, I need to finish up a few things. If you wait in the lobby, I’ll meet you when I’m done.”

His good guy facade flickered, then righted. “Ever the business woman, I see,” he teased. “Don’t leave me hangin’ now, yeah?”

“I wouldn’tdreamof it.”

As soon as he left, Anika snatched the snapdragon stem from her hair and threw it in the trash along with the whole damn bouquet.

18

It’s Not A Crush

Cristiano

“While I know you hate being in the office, did you think I wouldn’t notice your absence?” Cristiano teased.

Mikko leveled him with a look that would’ve sent most running, but Cristiano wasn’t most people. Emerald eyes flicked from Cristiano’s face to his hair. “And you thought I wouldn’t noticethatcolor?”

Cristiano’s hand rubbed across his short hair.“Thatcolor is green, and don’t try to change the subject on me—”

“Neon green,” Mikko countered over Cristiano. Now, it was time for him to glare at Mikko. “You look radioactive.”

“Okay,fine,it’sneon green, but not much would cover the blue, so…” A shrug was all he could give Mikko as he ignored the latter half of his friend’s comment. “Your turn.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“If you think you can lie to me of all people, try again.”

“Fine,” Mikko carded his hands through his hair four times whichCristiano knew to be one of his tells, “Imaybe a little more absent because I’m trying to get to the bottom of whoever targeted Ivan, and in turn, targeted us.”

Nodding, Cristiano waited for him to reveal more, even if it was like pulling fuckin’ teeth. Mikko continued, “If you’re looking for more of an update, that’s all I have unfortunately.”

“While I believe you on that topic, that doesn’t mean you get off easy on this.” Before Mikko could protest, Cristiano pulled out a plastic bag containing a note and what appeared to be remnants of a chewed piece of gum. He tried not to look at it for too long, the sight grossing him out.

“Where’d you find that?” Mikko’s tone was sharp.

“Laying in anunlockeddrawer in your desk.” The plastic crinkled as Cristiano shook the bag. “Gonna tell me what it’s all about? Especially the ominous note?”

Mikko’s jaw clenched and unclenched. Another tell. If Mikko had it his way, nothing of importance would be revealed, but Cristiano could be annoyingly persuasive.

“Ominous is a bit bold—”

Cristiano cleared his throat and smoothed the plastic out over the note inside.“‘I’ve waited a long time to devour you,’”he quoted. “Sounds pretty ominous to me. Or kinky…”

Another sigh from his friend-turned-boss. There was no escaping Cristiano’s interrogation methods.

“If you must know, I found it stuck to my motorcycle the night after we interrogated Ivan.”

“If this has to do with Ivan, I think I should know. But also ew. Is that what the gum is doing in here?” Cristiano side eyed it before he flicked his gaze back to his friend, a light bulb going off in his head. “So thatwasn’ta fucking ticket you liar.”

“Yes, it was used to adhere the note.”Ew again.“But it’s also partiallyresponsible for my absence.” Mikko’s fingertips pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’m trying to find out if it’s a threat or something left in jest.”

“Tell me you’ve at least figured that out.” The tilt of Cristiano’s green head had Mikko’s mouth pinching into a line. “Did you send the gum out to get tested at one of our labs? We have so many connections and people who owe us, you’d bedumbnot to.” Cristiano paused, something like regret lining his voice as he added on, “And please, for the love of God, tell me you didn’t chew—”

A sharp slap of papers on Mikko’s desk halted the rest of Cristiano’s words. “Yes, I had Dr. Žofia run tests on it, which is why there’s only a small portion of the sample left.”