Page 30 of Parting Shot

“We were just shootin’ the shit.” I forced a smile. “I don’t have any sway over your brother.”

“So you say.”

“What about Jaden whatever his name is, your brother’s old boyfriend?”

Max made a face, as if it was beneath him to mention the guy’s name. “Jaden Cobb has been proven to be a blackmailer. He was found with pictures of my brother and the wife of a married man. Of course, Aaron had to pay to avoid a scandal.”

“You mean the appropriate pictures were planted on him to ensure that everyone goes on thinking Aaron is straight.”

He nodded.

“I see.”

It was good of Aaron to save his ex, to give him pictures that helped Jaden and removed himself from his father’s clutches at the same time. I hoped Jaden appreciated it and learned his lesson about who to trust.

“The board is not pleased with my brother’s indiscretions, but as nothing’s been concretely proven, they’re going to forgive the publicity.”

“Sure.”

“But you would be the proof if Aaron saw you, Detective. He seems serious about you.”

“Which makes no sense, considering you’re here,” I said flatly.

“You’re missing the point,” he assured me.

“I don’t think so.”

The point was, Aaron Sutter did not want anyone to take pictures of me and him together. He couldn’t. I was a cop. My presence in his life could not be explained away. When I had asked him that day about who I would be—a friend, his bodyguard—it had been only semiserious. But I understood, now, to Aaron, his business had to be paramount. It had to take precedence over our affair, and truly, what had just started was now at an end.

No matter what our conversation had been the last time I saw him, the truth was, Aaron Sutter was not in any position to step outside the closet. His father had made sure of that with his latest scare tactics. And while it would backfire—Mr. Sutter would not wrest his company from his son—the fact was, what I had counted on was not happening. What either of us wanted was not to be.

“Don’t worry,” I said to Max. “As soon as I get out of the hospital, I’m on a plane for Chicago. Once I’m home, I promise not to contact your brother again. You can count on me.”

He appeared relieved. “I knew I could, Detective. My brother said you were an honorable man.”

“Sure,” was all I could manage.

“If there’s anything I can do for you or⁠—”

“No.” I exhaled sharply, closing my eyes. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to rest.”

“Yes, of course. Thank you again, Detective.”

“Please make sure you tell Aaron that his secrets are safe.”

“I certainly will.”

I heard him leave the room.

SEVEN

It was early—not even eight in the morning—but my partner, Jimmy O’Meara, and I were in River North at an ultra-exclusive nightclub called Posh. The upscale establishment, which didn’t close until two a.m., had reported nothing amiss the night before. But when the cleaning crew had come in at six, they’d found a dead man in the john.

“That is new,” Jimmy told me as we both walked up to the stall, where Deena Chang was squatted down beside the man.

She was in a hazmat suit, which I envied. I wanted one.

“How are you not barfing in there?”