She sighed. “You know, I’ve come over to tell Devereaux in case someone we know sees me out with Rion. I’m nervous about his reaction.”

“It will be fine,” I soothed.

A masculine voice sounded in the background.

“Cerys is on the line,” his mother said, and I smiled at the glee in her voice.

I totally had his mother’s approval. Go me.

More teasing murmurs, then Devereaux’s silken voice flooded down the line. “I see you’ve met my mother.”

Once or twice. “Sure have. Have you got a moment?”

“For you? More than one.”

My cheeks flushed again. His mother was listening. I cleared my throat. “I’m just calling to see if you have a free evening this week.”

“I can make one.”

“Chief still pressuring you to get a life?”

“Something like that. He really likes you—which is weird because he hasn’t met you.”

I smirked. As soon as I ended the call and his mother revealed all, Devereaux would connect the dots. Poor guy hated an unsolved mystery. “I’m a likeable gal. How’s tomorrow night?” Then I’d be able to go with my top date idea.

“You’re more than that. And sure. Tomorrow night works.”

“Perfect.”

“What are we doing?”

“I’d like to ask you out on a date.” I twirled a strand of my pink-tipped hair, my stomach clenching. “A first date since I ruined our first first date.”

“You didn’t ruin anything, sweetheart.”

I winced. “I did. But I’d like to make it up to you.”

“I don’t know. What will this date entail?” he deadpanned, borrowing Soleil’s line.

I played along. “There’s a baseball game on. Let’s watch it at my place.”

The rest, I’d keep to myself for now.

“Baseball?”

I laughed at his burning tone. “You say my name like that sometimes. Does baseball turn you on, Detective Vincori?”

“Only the thought of you being interested in it.”

I lowered my voice, shooting a look around to make sure everyone else was occupied. “Maybe you can give me a one-on-one lesson someday.”

“In my uniform?”

I hummed. “You’re a smart man, Devereaux. I’ll let you guess the answer to that yourself.” Smirking, I hung up.

17

Fenton rolled out the map on the basement floor. We were back at the first location, and only Austin, Devereaux, Soleil, and I had blur charms on now.