Page 76 of Bitter Lies

Another pause, this time heavy with tension. “I hope to be back in London on Thursday if I can get my schedule rearranged. I plan to speak with someone tonight about bereavement leave. If that gets approved and I return sooner, I’ll let you know. Yes, thank you. That would be very helpful. Thank you for calling.”

Shoving her phone back into her bag, she continues to dig while she talks. “That was D.C. Sanders. The fire department is just now finishing up. The fire was contained to the kitchen, so besides the smoke damage and… and the area needing cleaned because of what happened to my grandfather, the place is being released back to us. We’ll have access later this afternoon. The police investigative team has collected what it needs. He’d like to speak with me again, said he has a few more questions.”

That seems fast. I expected it to be a few more days before the police released it back to the family. This news makes me suspicious about who’s running this investigation. Something I plan on looking into as soon as I get out of here. I need to know who and what I’m up against. Trent could be pulling the detective’s strings, or it could be someone else.

It’s fishy, and my gut burns, warning me to take extra precautions before walking in blind.

Taking out a notepad and pen, she scribbles two sets of numbers and gives it to me. “Those are the codes you’ll need to gain access.”

When I go to take it, she looks up, her grip holding it tight. “Please don’t make me regret this. If you find something, I’d like you to tell me before you share it with the man you work for. If you can’t do that, then maybe I should let my brother’s friend Darius manage this. His team will be thorough and discreet.”

I want to tell her I know Darius, that I work for him. But I can’t. Izzy needs to believe I am who I say I am. My cover depends on it.

One day she’ll learn the truth. When she does, I can only hope she forgives me for keeping it from her.

“I’ll tell you first. I promise.” Still playing tug of war with the notepad, I lean in. “Until I know what’s important, I plan to remain tight-lipped about what I find. Trust me. Can you do that?”

Her gaze drifts to my lips, causing her cheeks to flush. “I know I shouldn’t, but I do. I might regret it. Please don’t make me.”

With a gentle tilt of her head, I lean in, and our lips meet in a soft kiss. “I’ll do my best to make sure you don’t. Will you be okay here alone? If I’m doing this, I should get going.”

“Yes.” She closes her eyes and leans her forehead into mine. “Thank you.”

“No need to thank me, princess.” Squeezing her arm, I breathe in her scent. Comforting and unmistakably hers. “Call me once you reach Oxford. If you don’t, I’ll worry. Then when you get back, I’ll spank your arse.”

Her cheeks flush with a beautiful blush, the color of a summer sunset. “Your intimidation tactics won’t make me call. Remember how quickly I defied you the last few times you tried that?”

A deep, rumbling growl emanates from my throat. “Maybe I’ll tie you to my bed and refuse to let you come until you’ve apologized for making me worry.”

She rolls her eyes.

“I’m sending someone with you to ensure your guards do their jobs. He’s a pilot. He’ll fly you there and back. That should allow you at least an extra hour with your grandmother. His name is Teddy Ray. We worked together before I turned into a bad guy.” My wink elicits another eye roll from her. “You can trust him because I trust him. I’m giving him your number. He’ll call to arrange where to meet.”

“That’s not⁠—”

My lips are on hers again before she finishes telling me it’s unnecessary. “On my way out, I’ll inform Marty that a change is coming. And it’s necessary if you expect me not to stomp all over your guards and go with you. It’s your choice. You let Teddy tag along, or I’ll rush my investigation and hope not to miss anything so I can accompany you.”

“Fine.” Izzy falls back into her seat, the impact jarring her slightly. “You’re bossy, you know that, right?”

Triumphantly, I grin, a surge of power coursing through me. “You haven’t seen me being bossy yet. Keep that in mind.”

Before I can kiss her into submission, the door to the room opens, and who I assume is the doctor walks in. It doesn’t stop me from kissing her, just forces me to keep it light and much sweeter than I intended.

Straightening, I turn to face the woman smiling at us. “Hello, I’m Aiden—Isabel’s husband. I need to step out, but I’ll be back to check on Alma. Izzy’ll make sure you have my number so your staff can reach me while she’s away. Isn’t that right, sweetheart?”

Izzy, still flushed from our kiss, composes herself. “Yes. I’ll add him to her medical contacts.”

As I slip out, the doctor begins discussing her grandmother’s condition. I’ll catch up with her later. I need inside that penthouse before anyone else, and she’s just handed me the perfect way in. No breaking the law required, though I was prepared to if it came to that.

D.C. Sanders isn’t one of the good cops. He’s on Trent Doyle’s payroll—no doubt about it. What I’m not so sure about is whether he’s double-dipping. If he is, then someone else may have already gotten inside and fucked shit up.

Which is why I need Bear with me. His nose is the best. It’ll see things I can’t.

On my way out, I find Marty in the waiting room just outside Alma’s ward and pass along the information about Teddy. He gives me a strange look but doesn’t shut me down like Ryan would. I’m still not sure about this one. He’s almost too agreeable. I’ll dig into him later; him and along with the rest of her guards. Anything that raises a red flag goes straight to her brother when I meet him later this week.

As soon as I step outside, Silas’s black Bugatti pulls up to the curb. I texted him on my way down to see if he was in the area. His response was that he could be if I needed him to be. I did.

Opening the door, I pause when I spot Ryan across the car park, glaring at me. A blonde stands next to him, her back to me. Likely the other female guard, though it’s hard to tell from here.