Page 76 of Shades of Ruin

“—butchered a man in Paris and served his body parts as sausages to win an elite cooking competition at one of the most prestigious restaurants in France.”

I feel Angélica jolt as my dirty little secret is revealed, and I wince at the thought of unraveling allthosedetails from ten years ago. Kara claps her hands like she just spilled the hottest tea and everyone should be proud. I think we all are a little, even if it is begrudgingly.

“Jesus, Kara,” Finn sighs. “What’s the point of dragging all of this out into the open right now?

“The point, Finnian Holt, is that every single one of you has blood on your hands. Now stop acting like saints, grow some damn balls, and help Angélica get the fuck out of this mess.” Kara crosses her arms over her chest and glares us all down.

“I think you’re forgetting yourself, love,” Ashford scolds with his expression as impassive as stone, even when his tone is soft.

“No, I think you’re forgetting that this ring,” she waves her left hand in front of his face, the large, diamond-encrusted ruby in the center catching the light of the flames, “isn’t permanent yet. So if you want it to stay on my finger, go get your lawyer on the phone.”

“I hope you know you’re in very big trouble when we get back to the manor,” Ashford whispers against Kara’s ear, the deep rumble of his voice still loud enough for us to hear.

“And I fully intend on enjoying every minute of it,” she snaps back, planting a kiss on his cheek before he hurries to find a quiet spot for a phone call to the best lawyer in the city.

“I’ll never understand how you two make it work,” Finn sayswith an amused shake of his head, his eyes lingering on Ashford as he leaves.

“Good communication and a fuck-ton of sex,” Kara answers without needing to think. It’s clear from the wide grin on her face that she is more than satisfied in the sex department.

“Ashford never met a problem he couldn’t solve with his cock,” Finn laughs. A notification dings on his phone, and he looks down with a grimace. Suddenly, we’re all reminded of the horrible incident that started this conversation. “Cops are here. I’ve got to go play host. You coming, kitten?” he asks, holding out his hand to Kara.

“Never thought I’d play hostess to a murder investigation,” she sighs as she places her hand in his. She turns back to look at me and Angélica. “Hang in there, you two. We’ll get it all sorted out.”

“There won’t be any way to get around answering a few questions while the police are here. If you refuse until you have a lawyer present, their guard will be up higher than ever,” Finn warns, and I almost think he cares. “Give them something, but not too much. Collette was your employee, and Angélica is your girlfriend, so it’s likely you’ll both be implicated.”

We’re all refusing to bring up the fact that I came under suspicion thelasttime a girl in this city was discovered murdered and heartless. We all know my name is already on their goddamn list.

“Fucking cops,” I hiss.

“Maybe let her go a little so you don’t look like a possessive psycho? And wash the victim’s blood off your cock, Greyson,” Finn offers in advice before he and Kara head to the front of the club.

Chapter Thirty-Six

GREYSON

These cops are even more fucking useless than the ones that interrogated me when Satine was found. And I’m ready to throw myself into the flames of Hell if I have to answer another damn question while Detective Montgomery scribbles my answers down on a notepad. Who the fuck even uses a notepad anymore?

“How would you describe your relationship with the deceased, Mr. Greyson?”

“We got along. She’s worked for me for almost seven years.”

“Just a professional relationship, then?” The look on the detective’s face suggests that she thinks I didn’t keep things ethical. If she knew what I did with my pastry chef, she’d really be judging.

“Since she started working for me, yes. We have a past that’s been buried for a long time.”

“Did Ms. Roche ever show an interest in rekindling things?”

All the fucking time. “Not explicitly, no.”

Detective Montgomery jots something down before turning to Angélica. “And how did you know the victim?”

“We worked together at Grey’s, although not very closely. I’m a chef in the kitchen, and she was up front with the patrons.”

“Did you two get along?”

Angélica looks uneasy as she tries to answer the question honestly. “We tried, but Collette wasn’t always the easiest person to get along with.”

“Did you ever argue or get into fights?”

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