Page 168 of Detectives in Love
Selena shrugs. “Well, I know I wasn’t the only journalist he approached.”
“Yeah,” I say, exhaling sharply. “We figured as much. Anything else?”
She narrows her eyes at me. “I have a guess about who sent it. But saying it out loud might not be…ethical.”
“Who is it?” I press. “We had a deal.”
“I told you what Iknow,” Selena says, raising her hands like she’s innocent. “No tricks. I also have a suspicion—but if I’m wrong, that could get me in trouble.”
“We won’t tell anyone,” I say, trying not to sound desperate but failing.
She hesitates, dragging it out. “I did manage to trace where the letter was sent from, even though it was anonymous.”
“So?” I snap, my irritation slipping through.
That’s when I feel Xavier’s hand find the small of my back—light, grounding. I glance at him, but he’s focused on Selena, his expression unreadable. Still, his hand stays where it is. And I let it.
“It was dropped off at a downtown post office by a delivery boy,” Selena says. “He was paid to do it. Said some guy gave it to him. I don’t know who, but I do know where he works.”
Xavier leans in, his voice low. “Where?”
“I’ll tell you,” she says, that smug smile creeping back in—like she’s enjoying having the upper hand. “But there’s a condition.”
I let out a sharp breath. “Knew it. Five questions were never going to be enough.”
“I can leave, if you’re not interested,” Selena says, with mock offense.
“What’s the condition?” Xavier asks, tense now, focused.
“No conditions,” I cut in before she can answer, turning to him. “We gave her the interview. She should hold up her end.”
“It’s fine, gentlemen,” Selena says, rising and grabbing her bag. “I think I’ll just go.”
“Wait,” Xavier says, getting up too. “What’s the condition?”
She looks at me then—waiting, like she wants me to be the one to say yes. I bite back my frustration and shrug. Fine. Let her have it.
“You need to kiss,” she says, completely straight-faced.
It takes me a second to process it. Then I let out a short, incredulous laugh.
“Kiss?” I don’t even have to ask who she means. Of course she means Xavier and me.
“Yeah. On the lips,” Selena says, still blank like it’s the most normal request in the world.
“What, does that get you off?” I snap. “Is this some kind of kink for you?”
“Mr. Doherty—” she starts, but I don’t let her finish. I stand.
“Let’s go, Xavier,” I say, already heading for the door.
When he doesn’t follow, I glance back—he’s still rooted in place, frowning at Selena, his expression impossible to read.
“Xavier,” I say again.
He meets my eyes and gives a quick nod. I open the door and step into the hallway. It’s not until I’m a few steps in that I realize he hasn’t followed.
I spin around and grab the handle. Twist it—nothing. It won’t turn. Someone’s holding it from the other side.
