Page 14 of Devious Corruption

“It’s a sample. I didn’t mean to leave it at your place. When I picked Joey up at the apartment, I was showing it to him. Your damn cat got out, and we had to go hunting her down. I left it on the counter.”

I frown. “Keith, Marion wasn’t in the apartment when I got home. One of the neighbors had her.”

“Yeah, we couldn’t find the stupid thing. I mean I did find her, but when I grabbed her, she hissed and swiped her damn claws at me.” He shows me the thin scratches on his hand. “So I left her.”

Part of me wants to rage at him for letting her loose in the building and leaving it to chance that I’d get home before she got outside.

Marion doesn’t like the boys that much. It’s not their fault; she’s a real man hater to begin with. The last time I brought a guy home for the night; he’d spent half the night trying to get her off his leg. It would have been cute, her crawling up his leg, except she had a murderous look in her eye and her hair stood on end. He’d lasted ten minutes before claiming he had an early morning and had to run.

He was a DJ at a club that didn’t open until seven in the evening.

She systematically doesn’t like men.

“Okay, fine. But how did you get it? I’m serious; he’s going to want to know.”

“You tell him it’s none of his damn business. Just call your friend.” Keith wags his hand at the phone.

“Fine.”

Nicolette answers on the second ring. “Hey, hon.”

“Hi.” I’m such a louse calling her for Lev’s number. “I have a weird ask.”

“Oh? Like pick you up no questions asked weird, or you need me to bring a shovel over tonight no questions asked, weird?”

“Aren’t those both along the same vein of weird?”

“Depends on if there’s a dead body involved.” She pauses. “Is there?”

I laugh. “No. Of course not.”

“A naked one?”

“You’re crazy.”

She sighs. “No, I’m lonely. I haven’t been on a real date in forever. I’m getting bored. So what did you need to ask.”

“It’s about your brother.”

“Lev? Did he do something?” She loves the big lug, and she should since he’s her older brother, but she also feels the pain of his arrogance and overprotective nature.

“No, but I need to talk to him. Would you be comfortable giving me his number?” My eyes meet Joey’s.

“Yeah, of course. I’ll text it to you. Everything okay?”

“Yep. Just need to ask him a quick question.”

“And it’s not a dead body?” She lowers her voice, as ifto keep from being overheard by anyone in the background.

“No!” I force some levity into my voice. “He helped me the other night when I was locked out of my apartment; I only wanted to thank him. That’s all.”

There’s a pregnant pause. “Okay.”

“Seriously, Nicolette, that’s all.”

“Sure. Of course. I’m sending it now.” My vibrates as the text comes through. “Hey, you’re still coming to my party, right?”

“Of course, I am. How can I not be at your big send off?” With Vee caught up with Ivan and Nicolette going away for an internship in France, I’m going to have a lot of time on my hands.