Page 48 of Infernal Hearts

“And not tell anyone? No, either something bad happened or he was in deep shit that he couldn’t get out of. I can’t put my finger on either one right now.”

Rani lets out a deep puff of air. “I don’t know. Something just doesn’t seem right to me.”

I rub the side of my cheek, looking at the ceiling. “Me neither. Can you keep researching and let me know if you find anything?”

“Can do. In the meantime, keep it in your pants while you’re there. The clock is ticking, and I don’t need you evaporating in the middle of nowhere. I’m not about to fly out there just so I can collect your ashes and talk about how horny you were at your funeral.”

I let out a small chuckle, wondering if anything ever rattles her. “True friendship right there. Thanks.”

“Bye.”

The line goes dead, and doubt fills my chest. Something is seriously wrong in this town. I just need to find a decent lead so I can put the puzzle pieces together before it’s too late. I can practically hear the seconds fly by as I get closer to the end of the deal.

In the meantime, I can’t helpwanting to see Jason. Maybe he can put me more at ease. One step at a time, I go across the parking lot in the orange light from the sunset, knowing the office is closing any minute. I slip inside the front door, and there’s an adorable gym rat sitting behind the desk.

He looks up from his paperwork and smiles, eyes squinting a bit. “Hi there! How can I help you?”

As adorable as he is, though, he’s nothing compared to what I think of his boss. I walk up to the counter and smile back at him, trying not to flirt for once in my life. I don’t want to make things awkward in the workplace.

“Hey there. I’m Levi, a friend of Jason’s.” Friends. I smirk to myself, remembering that Jason said it last night, but knowing that he probably didn’t mean it. “I’m staying in his guest house out front. Is he around?”

The boy looks at me a few seconds too long and melts in his chair a bit. He’s definitely a handsome one, especially in this town, but he’s too awkward to be a fuck boy. Poor kid—probably ugly duckling syndrome. Bad skin as a teenager. Scrawny, crooked teeth. Fixed it all and now doesn’t even realize how attractive he is.

The receptionist shakes himself out of it after a long moment. “I’m Andrew.” He lets out a single laugh, looking down as his smile grows wide. Yep. Perfect teeth now. “Nice to meet you. I’ll let Dr. Blackwell know you’re here.”

Boys like that are easy prey for deals. Offer them the love of their lives and they’ll pay almost any price, especially if you sweeten the deal and boost their career. Money? Connections? Property? Take a cut of their riches, and a handful of clients like him could earn you a modest life with no work for the rest of yours.

But I’m not here to make any deals. I’m here to stop myself from turning to dust.

Jason comes back through the door as he takes off his gloves. Andrew expectedly follows right behind him. “Hey. Heard you were looking for me.”

“I sure was.” I lean forward on the counter as my stomach flutters. “Thought we could go on a little field trip now that you’re done with work.”

“Oh?” His eyebrow raises, gaze turning intense. “Did you find something?”

My lips press into a tight line, and I shake my head. “Nothing concrete, but I have an idea. I know you don’t have access to your dad’s entire client list, but maybe we don’t need it after all. Are there any, uh…particular individuals coming to mind that I should be on the lookout for?”

Jason looks up at the ceiling. “I know of one, but you’ll need to help me track him down.” He turns to Andrew. “Think you can lock up when you’re done?”

Andrew stammers over his words but finally manages to get a sentence out. “Th-thank you for the responsibility. I won’t let you down, Dr. Blackwell.”

Jason pats Andrew on the back. “You know you can call me Jason after hours.”

Andrew visibly stiffens—in more ways than one, I’m sure. “Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.”

We get to the truck, and I’m still trying so hard to stop myself from laughing at how hopelessly devoted Andrew is to Jason. “How long have you known him?”

Jason opens up the truck door and gives a huge yawn. “Not long. Why, think he’s the one who attacked you?”

“Haha. I don’t think he’d have it in him. He’s too cute for his own good, plus I think he has a crush on his boss.”

“Not gonna happen.” He starts the engine, looking in the rearview mirror. “Too young for me. And too into fitness. I’m pretty sure he lives off of protein shakes and pre-workout.”

“What’s life without good food?” I smile in his direction, knowing exactly what he means. “I still need to feed you in L.A.”

Jason’s muscles tense for a split second, and he relaxes them again. “Let’s get through this deal first, shall we?”

My mouth goes dry, and I suddenly feel a need to distance myself. Maybe that’s what he wants. I keep flirting with him, but now I’m actually starting to feel it whenever he shoots me down. This is dangerous.

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