Page 53 of Beneath the Light of the Moon

Cristiano looked at the papers currently under Mikko’s protective palm. It was a thick manila folder.“And?”

“And nothing.”

“One of our men has died suspiciously, Mikko, you don’t think sharing any info you have is important?”

Mikko huffed. “I don’t want you getting involved.”

“I work for you, I have to get involved. It’s actually part of my job description.”

“And you will, once I get the details sorted. Just keep pushing on the leads you’re chasing down with Devon.”

“There’s nothing to tell.” The sarcasm was hard to miss in Cristiano’s tone. “I’m not sharing my leads unless you share yours, so…care to divulge what you know?”

“Not really.”

“I see why women avoid you—you’re a ball oftenseenergy. It’s a turn-off.”

“Some people like tense,” Mikko replied.

“Yeah, massage therapists. You keep them in business.”

“Who said it was massage therapists?” He shook his head. “Buttenseandhardare two very different things.”

“Stop,” Cristiano held up a hand before walking closer to Mikko’s desk, dropping the bag near the manila folder,“I don’t need to think about what Ithinkyou’re referring to.”

Mikko chuckled softly. His faint smile erased some of the tension resting on his friend’s countenance. At the end of the day, Cristiano knew he taunted Mikko until the point of annoyance, but he did it as a distraction. Whatever he had to do to see his friend smile, he’d do it. It was the least they could do for themselves—two men who’d been forced to grow up too fast.

There’d been many times Cristiano had stayed on the phone with Mikko years ago when Alek would come home drunk and searching for a reason to explode.

The sounds of screaming and a crackling fire still haunted him—

“Seriously, though, you know where to find me if you need help sorting out information.” The offer conveyed more than both men were willing to say, but they understood it all the same.

“Even if I didn’t, your hair would point me in the right direction.”

“Hey, you’re just mad you can’t pull this off.” Cristiano gestured from his face to his outfit. He was dressed more casually today, business attire something he tended to stay away from; unless it was a soft sweater and comfortable slacks with his favorite Italian loafers.

Now neutral colors adorned his body—an oversized sweater providing warmth on an October day along with baggy cargo pants. A single gold chain dangled from around his neck and clean sneakers brought his outfit together.

“Maybe so,” was all Mikko said, his crisp suit a stark comparison to Cristiano’s attire.

Cristiano made to leave, knowing Mikko wouldn’t give him much more unless it was absolutely necessary, but he paused. “Actually, I have one more question.”

Mikko shuffled some papers around on his desk, pointedly avoiding looking at the plastic bag. “Of course you do. Will you go away if I answer?”

“Maybe,” Cristiano smirked. Mikko motioned for him to go on. “The handwriting on the note, it looksfeminine.”

“And?”

“Are you sure you don’t have a secret admirer?”

Mikko’s swallow was audible. “I don’t think that’s what this is.”

“I don’t know, man, you’re a pretty big name now.”

That made something glimmer in Mikko’s eyes, and Cristiano couldn’t place it, but it made him want to press a little harder. So he did. “Do you have a crush? Someone you’re sneaking out to meet, Mikko? I won’t tell if you—”

“No.”