“That’s not a bad thing,” Desmond pointed out, already seated in one of four leather barrel chairs positioned around a cushioned ottoman. “We could use an in with April Stephens considering she was hired to track Alonzo’s money.”

Miles stopped by the wet bar and helped himself to a glass of Gage’s bourbon before taking the chair across from Desmond. “If Weston has learned her secrets, though, he hasn’t shared them with me.”

“She reports to Devon Salazar,” Gage reminded them, retrieving the bourbon decanter along with a couple of glasses and a tray. He set all of it down on the ottoman in the middle of the chairs. “We don’t have to ask Weston to betray her confidence when we can go straight to Alonzo’s son. We might not trust Devon, but he owes us the truth since he kicked off this whole investigation by turning to us for answers.”

“So we wait?” Desmond asked, not hiding his discontent with the plan. “That doesn’t seem like a wise course of action when we have a tabloid reporter on-site actively trying to shake loose whatever she can about Alonzo.”

The other men both looked expectantly at Gage.

He took his time pouring his drink before settling into his chair, the scents of leather, oak and old books providing none of the usual comfort.

“I’m taking care of that,” he assured them before he took a sip. “I spent all afternoon with her, keeping her distracted.”

He’d distracted himself quite a bit along the way, too, his thoughts alternating between highlights from their past and how much he still wanted her. Recalling the bribe she’d accepted from his father had reminded him he couldn’t act on it.

“Why not entice her to write something else?” Miles suggested, scowling into the flames of the gas fireplace. “A tabloid reporter must have more lucrative options for stories than Alonzo. There are enough celebrities still on-site—”

Desmond snapped his fingers.

“Introduce her to Chiara Campagna,” he suggested, sitting up straighter in his chair. “Give the tabloid reporter a behind-the-scenes opportunity with one of the world’s most sought-after personalities.”

Miles scoffed. “Chiara Campagna is famous for nothing.”

“There’s just one problem. I don’t know Chiara,” Gage reminded them, wondering if there was a chance Elena would consider it if he offered her access.

“She was here last night for a reason.” Desmond pulled out his phone. “She’s good friends with Jonah’s wife, Astrid.”