Dark Justice by Kristi Belcamino (smallest ebook reader .txt) 📗

his head. “Definitely not that kind.”

The way he said it made me look at him. “He’s gay?”

“Oh yeah.”

“Not that it matters,” we both said at the same time and laughed. It was a weak laugh, but still a laugh. And it felt good. I hadn’t realized how stressed out I was.

We stood.

“I’m going to check in to my room and then make some calls,” Dante said. “Want to meet for dinner.”

Instantly, I felt guilty even though I knew I shouldn’t.

“What?” he said, picking up on it.

“I’m having dinner with James.”

“Don’t say squat about the murders,” he said. “I know he’s on your side, but just to be safe.”

“I won’t. The last thing I want to do is talk about that.”

He laughed. “I bet I know what you want to talk about. Or not talk about I should say.”

I ignored his innuendo.

“Breakfast?”

“Knowing you two, let’s make it lunch.”

“Stop!”

I instantly felt better. Dante would fix everything.

Twenty-Three

Despite Tony’s generous offer to drive me around, I didn’t want to disturb his “grandpa time,” so I’d arranged for the long-term rental of a Bugatti. It was also a test run of how rentals would work for my hotel guests one day. I would probably try out a few of the luxury car rental places in the city to see who was best.

So far, this one wasn’t bad. The car was dropped off in front of the hotel. When I got down there, the valet was waiting for me. As soon as I got behind the wheel and pulled out of the hotel driveway, I knew it was the right call. I’d missed driving high-performance vehicles. For so many years living in Barcelona, I hadn’t needed a car.

But I loved the feel of a powerful engine purring. I made a note to myself to make a trip down to the Laguna Seca raceway and take a few spins around the track. It was where I’d learned to drive as well as any race car driver—or cop in pursuit. The skill had served me well over the years. Yes, I’d take it to the racetrack and stop by Monterey to visit my parent’s graves. I would also take it to drive to Darling’s house in the next week or so.

Right now, it would get me to see James.

I pulled my car up to the address James had given me and peeked out my window at the building before me.

It was an apartment in the Sunset district.

There was not a parking spot for miles around. I’d started looking as soon as I pulled onto his street. But as I sat there, the garage door rolled open, and I saw James sitting there with a grin. He gestured for me to pull in.

I rolled down the window as I got beside him. “Hey, sailor.”

“Park in spot twenty-three.”

“See you in a sec.”

He was waiting by an elevator in one corner.

I walked over and leaned down to kiss his cheek. He turned his head and our lips met.

I didn’t pull back. I felt his arms reach for me and pull me down. His hands were in my hair, and in the darkness of the garage, we made out like teenagers.

When I finally had the willpower to pull back, he gave me a naughty grin.

“Oh, James, you are trouble.”

“Look who’s talking.”

“Am I really a suspect?”

He frowned. “I’m working on it. It makes no sense. I’ll figure it out. Let’s just forget about it for a few hours and catch up on the past ten years.”

“Sounds good,” I said and instantly felt better. If James wasn’t worried about it, I wasn’t. He pushed the button to summon the elevator. Then he tugged on my hand and pulled me down, kissing me again.

We both jumped when the elevator dinged and the door slid open.

“Jesus. I thought I’d have more willpower,” he said as he wheeled his chair into the elevator. “I’m sorry, Gia. We can’t do this.”

“I know,” I said. “We can’t.”

“Have to stop,” he said.

“Absolutely.”

I was flustered and ready to rip off his clothes.

“I’m serious, Gia. I’m seeing someone.”

“Does Madame Butterfly know we’re having dinner.”

The elevator doors whooshed open onto his floor.

“She trusts me. She knows we used to date,” he said.

“Used to date? Talk about reducing us to nothing.”

“I didn’t mean that.”

“You told her? About us?”

“You know me, Gia. I’m brutally honest and upfront about everything.”

“To a fault.”

“Hey, hey, now,” he said, spinning the wheels on his wheelchair to maneuver himself in front of his door. “We don’t need to start that.”

“Am I wrong?”

“Damn, you are as spicy as ever. I thought age would’ve mellowed you.”

“Hardly.”

He laughed. “So, good to see you, darling.”

My heart melted right then. Calling me darling instantly turned me to mush.

A few seconds later, he opened the door to his condo, and I followed him into a well-lit space with steel and black leather furnishings. Uber masculine. Like James.

A table was already set. Something was simmering on the stove and the apartment smelled divine.

“I don’t remember you being a gourmet chef, but I think even Dante would be jealous at how this place smells,” I said.

He was already at the stove. I noticed that all his counters were lowered so he could work with ease. He was stirring this and flipping that.

“Can I help?”

He looked over his shoulder. “Yes, pour us some of that red.”

I grabbed the bottle. “Yummy. You don’t have to tell me twice.”

Before I took a sip, I brought a glass over to James and set it on the counter.

“That looks amazing.”

“Get!” he said and shooed me away.

“Fine.” I said in a huffy voice and then walked around his place, checking it out. “Where’s your bathroom.”

He told me. I peeked into the bedrooms as I passed. Both sterile with few personal touches. Much like the rest of his place.

When I came out, the table was set with dishes of food.

“Sit,” he said. “I’ll be right back.”

He headed down the hall. On my way to the table, I paused at a small table. It had