“Lee,” she said, leaning to make a provocative show. “There is a slight problem on the floor that needs your attention.”

Looking annoyed, he pushed her out of his way. “Deal with it, Candice. I’m with friends.”

Her eyes went black and her shoulders stiffened. “It’s something you need to attend. Get your ass downstairs. It won’t wait.”

I flicked my gaze to Trent, reading his surprise. Apparently the pretty vamp was more than decoration. Partner? I wondered. She sure was acting like it.

She cocked one eyebrow at Lee in mocking petulance, making me wish I could do the same. I still hadn’t bothered to learn how. “Now, Lee,” she prompted, slipping off the desk and going to hold the door for him.

His brow furrowed. Brushing his short bangs from his eyes, he pushed his chair back with excessive force. “Excuse me.” Thin lips tight, he nodded to Trent walked out, his feet thumping on the stairway.

Candice smiled predatorily at me before she slipped out after him. “Enjoy your coffee,” she said, closing the door. There was a click as it locked.

Twenty-six

I took a deep breath, listening to the silence. Trent shifted his legs to put his ankle atop a knee. Eyes distant and worried, he chewed on a lower lip, looking nothing like the drug lord and murderer he was. Funny, you couldn’t tell by looking.

“She locked the door,” I said, jumping at the sound of my own voice.

Trent lifted his eyebrows. “She doesn’t want you to wander. I think it’s a good idea.”

Snarky elf, I thought. Stifling a frown, I went to the small round window looking out across the frozen river. Using the flat of my hand, I wiped the condensation from it and took in the varied skyline. Carew Tower was lit up with holiday lights, glowing with the gold, green, and red film they covered the top floor windows with so they would shine like huge bulbs. It was clear tonight, and I could even see a few stars through the city’s light pollution.

Turning, I put my hands behind my back. “I don’t trust your friend.”

“I never have. You’ll live longer that way.” Trent’s tight jaw eased and the green of his eyes went a little less hard. “Lee and I spent our summers together when we were boys. Four weeks at one of my father’s camps, four weeks at his family’s beach house on a manmade island off the coast of California. It was supposed to foster goodwill between our families. He’s the one who set the ward on my great window, actually.” Trent shook his head. “He was twelve. Quite an accomplishment for him at the time. Still is. We had a party. My mother fell into the hot tub, she was so tipsy. I should replace it with glass now that we’re—having difficulties.”