Page 61 of The Lieutenant

“I was with Mr. Nomikos the entire night.” Kara’s voice was crystal clear and more defiant than ever. She took a step forward, determined to provide me with assistance.

Admittedly, I felt a twinge of relief. That was followed by two entirely different needs: to punish her for disobeying me and to devour every inch of her. From what I’d been told of the carnage at Theo’s apartment along with information I’d gone to see him, an indictment was entirely possible.

“And you are?” Costos asked. I could immediately tell she didn’t like his caustic attitude.

“Ms. Kara Banning. I’m here on assignment with theNew York Timeswriting a story on the powerful and very generous Nomikos family. As you well know, they’d provided millions of dollars to both local and international charities, many of theirdonations going directly to help the children in New York City. We were discussing the article and Mr. Nomikos was kind enough to make me dinner.”

“Please call me Havros, Ms. Banning,” I told her. Why not play the game?

“Havros,” she repeated with just the right amount of a light flush on her cheeks. She was a damn good actress.

“What time was your meeting?” Detective Livas asked while Costos continued to fume.

“We met promptly at four and before you ask, our conversations went late into the evening. If you’d like, you can speak with my agent who was well aware of my evening plans.” She’d placed her hand on her hip, lifting both eyebrows as she glanced from one to the other. She was daring them to challenge her.

Kara should win an Academy Award for her performance. Why did I have the feeling that if it was necessary, she’d describe our session in bed to the nth degree? The thought spurred my dark cravings all over again.

“You’re willing to sign an affidavit attesting to this meeting?” Costos had finally collected himself.

“Why shouldn’t I? I can also provide you with notes written regarding the meeting if necessary.” Kara smiled.

They were getting ready to back down, but I had no doubt they’d return after attempting to find additional evidence. They were on a witch hunt for me personally.

“Now, if there are no additional questions, gentlemen, I do have a very tight schedule today,” I told them, already moving toward the door.

Detective Costos acted as if he was going to comply when he scratched his head and appeared perplexed. “Just one question. Why did you call Ms. Banning your assistant?”

“Because the article is considered very special, private in fact. I hope you’ll keep what she’s told you to yourselves.” My answer felt trite, but decent enough Costos appeared deflated.

“We may have additional questions for you, Mr. Nomikos,” Detective Livas stated before walking toward the door.

“Of course. You’ll simply need to make an appointment.” I turned away from them on purpose, completely dismissing them.

And I stared into my lovely kitten’s eyes, waiting until the door was closed. “I thought nothing you did would surprise me any longer, mygatáki, but I was wrong. Why did you provide me with an alibi?”

“Why?” she asked. “Because it’s the truth.”

“That’s not the only reason though. Now, is it?” I crowded her space, longing for a stronger whiff of her perfume.

She smiled much like she’d done with the detectives. “How very astute of you, Havros. You’re right. The real reason is that while I still hate you for the man you’ve become, I won’t allow a man innocent of a crime to be found guilty if I can provide the truth. However, that doesn’t mean you aren’t guilty of dozens of atrocities. If I had to guess, I’d say you’ll find yourself in prison one day.”

Her steps purposeful, she walked around me and headed to the door. I twisted my body, staring after her, my cock throbbing.

Her testament of hatred only added to the dimension of darkness, the longing that much greater.

Her full surrender would be sweet.

CHAPTER 18

Kara

I’d decided the thing I’d hated the most about Havros was his uncanny ability to get under my skin without trying. Yes, I loathed him for being a self-serving pig and a brutal killer, but that was an entirely different realm and one he was right I likely didn’t want to learn more about.

I also couldn’t stand how every time he called me his kitten or a good girl, I swooned inside. I’d bypassed being some lovesick puppy dog. I was practically in heat over him. I pulled my clutch purse close to my chest as I eased into the backseat of a car I’d never seen before, with a driver I didn’t want to know.

Maybe grabbing an Uber in a foreign country wasn’t a smart move. I’d made enough bad decisions as of late that doing so seemed a minor risk at worst. I certainly couldn’t walk to Club Sin and Shame.

I wanted to get one more handle on the article, and was determined to finish taking all the necessary notes so I could get the hell out of here and away from him.

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