Lizzie Lynn Lee (2 page)

As the evening had approached, Judith had reunited with Oliver and Nisi, but they had lost contact with Gabriel and her brother. Oliver had broken his arm and wrist in the accident. Nisi had only scraped his knee. They’d spent the night in the wilderness before the other rangers had rescued them in the morning.

Back in the camp, Judith had immediately faced bad news. Cameron had died from an accidental gunshot wound during the time they had been separated. Gabriel had been with him when it had happened. Judith had been devastated. Only when she’d come back to America with Cameron’s body had she realised that her brother’s death hadn’t been an accident. Cameron had been murdered.

Joseph Hearne, a doctor who’d served as Rossi’s private physician at that time, had voiced his concern over Cameron’s gunshot wound before the wake. Cameron’s death couldn’t possibly have been caused in a self-inflicted accident. Judging from the entrance and exit wounds and the trajectory of the bullet, the deed must have been done by somebody shooting Cameron at close range.

Armed with the new evidence, Judith had gone to the police to report the incident. Unfortunately, on the way there, Judith and Dr Hearne had been involved in a twenty-car pile-up, which had resulted in Dr Hearne’s instant death. Judith herself had become trapped in the burning car. She’d suffered extensive second- and third-degree burns that had landed her in a three-week coma. When she’d regained her consciousness, Cameron had already been cremated, Dr Hearne was dead, the evidence had been destroyed in the accident, and her family was stricken with grief.

It had taken Judith five long years to pull herself together. Her family had been torn apart by the tragedy and deep in her heart she harboured suspicions that Gabriel was the one responsible for her brother’s death. The park ranger, Nisi, had been with her the night she and Cameron had been separated. Oliver had been injured—he couldn’t possibly have been the one who had committed the murder. Judith insisted that Gabriel must have been the cold-blooded killer.

Cat took another long drag from her drink while she spied on her target. Gabe was in the middle of a serious discussion with Alex. A sliver of light from the low-hanging lamp above the pool table illuminated his youthful face. He didn’t look thirty-five at all. More like in his late twenties. Her heart gave a quick stir. Gabe was a really good-looking man. The photos she’d seen in the magazines and tabloids didn’t do him any justice.

Could that soft-spoken, handsome man be the killer who’d murdered Cameron Rossi fourteen years ago?

It was hard to believe Gabriel was capable of that heinous crime.

He hadn’t had any motive to kill Cameron that Cat knew of.

Jon had told Cat that people committed crimes for three main reasons—love, money or revenge. Gabriel hadn’t profited from Cameron’s death. The two had been good friends at the time. And there had been no love interest rivalry between them. Gabriel was as straight as a flagpole, so the chance that he and Cameron had been lovers was slim.

So what could have been Gabriel’s motive for plucking the Colt from Cameron’s hand and shooting him execution-style the night everybody had got separated?

Cat closed her journal. This case was the hardest one she’d ever taken. Somehow, she wasn’t sure if she could solve it, but she wanted to keep the agency running in Jon’s memory. And, if she was successful, the payment from Rossi would keep this business afloat for another year.

“Excuse me, miss.”

Cat startled. Blood drained from her face when she noticed Alexandre Larousse was standing next to her.
How did he sneak up on me like that? Is it time for me to hit the kerb already?

Instead of throwing her out of the club, Alex carefully set a glass of wine down in front of her. “Courtesy of my brother, Gabriel. He wondered if you would be interested in joining him?”

What?

The neurons in her brain short-circuited. Her gaze cut to the man in question. Gabriel Larousse watched her with a smile hovering at the corner of his lips. His expression was a mixture of amusement and curiosity.

Oh God, what should I do?
Cat panicked for a moment.

She could chicken out and decline the invitation.

But I’m a fucking private investigator, damn it, even though I’m a rookie. This could be a golden opportunity to get close to my target and dig as much dirt on him as I can.

“Miss?” Alex asked. “What say you?”

“I…uhm. Why?” She wanted to kick herself after she’d blurted that one out. Why couldn’t she have said something smart and elegant like the heroines in noir flicks?

Alex’s face was a mask of impassiveness. He didn’t look as snappish as he was rumoured to be. Alex’s gaze skittered briefly over her face, her body, the journal, and the purse in her lap. “It’s obvious you are waiting for someone—a member of the club. This establishment isn’t open to the public. And, while you’re waiting, my brother wishes to appease your boredom with a game of pool.”

“Oh. I can’t play pool.”

“Then perhaps simple conversation would do.” Alex offered a smile and his hand.

She blinked. “Your brother won’t take no for an answer, will he?”

The smile tightened.

Cat guessed she knew the answer. She shoved the journal back into her purse and took Alex’s proffered hand. She shuffled along, trying to keep up with Alex’s long strides. His grip was firm, as though he didn’t want her to bail out before he could deliver her safely to his brother.

The billiards room was spacious and rather dark. The ambiance was mysterious. Seductive. The walls were plastered in dark wainscots with several antique-looking sconces dimly lighting the place. The thick scent of expensive cigars cloyed the air. Spicy clove, too. The smell of men. Rich, powerful men. And her ill-thinking bravado had dragged her into their lair. She felt like Goldilocks in a bear’s house.

Gabriel took her hand from Alex’s and kissed it like a true gentleman. Was he usually this charming? The media often portrayed him as an introverted man who bordered on being antisocial. The Gabriel before her wasn’t like that at all. His smile seemed genuinely warm and somehow…flirty. Which was weird, because the words ‘flirty’ and ‘Gabriel Larousse’ usually didn’t belong in the same sentence. Alex simply nodded and walked away.

“I’m Gabriel. It’s so kind of you to take up my invitation, Miss…”

“Catherine. But everybody calls me Cat.”

“Hmm. I’d prefer to call you Kitty.” A low chuckle erupted.

His deep, dulcet tones sent shivers down her spine.
Whoa.
She’d never met a man with such enthralling sexual appeal. She would have fanned herself if Gabriel hadn’t been standing in front of her.

“Catherine.” Her name rolled off his tongue like something made out of sugar and chocolate, incredibly sexy and hedonistic. “May I buy you a drink?”

“But you just sent me a glass of wine.” She nodded in the direction of her table.

“You didn’t touch it. I’m assuming you’re not particularly fond of Chianti.”

“I’m fine, thank you. Getting me drunk won’t get you anywhere, you know?”

Another rich peal of laughter burst out.

She laughed with him just to be polite. Anxiety crept in, despite the naughty urge that made her want to lick him as if he were her favourite sundae.
Why did he invite me over here? Does he know who I really am?

“So.” Gabriel’s eyes brightened. They were a light hazel with flecks of gold. “May I be privy to this lucky gentleman’s name?”

It took her a few seconds to comprehend what he meant. Gabriel must have guessed she would be meeting someone. The imaginary lawyer who would never show up. And since this was a gentlemen’s club, women rarely popped in here unless they were invited.

“Marvin Jackson. He’s my father’s lawyer. Told me to meet him here to discuss a few things.”

“Marvin Jackson,” Gabriel echoed, looking thoughtful. “I don’t believe I’ve ever met him. And here I thought I knew everybody in this place.”

Crap.
Quick, distract him.
“Nice shirt.”

“You think so? That’s a lovely dress you’re wearing, as well.”

“This old thing?” She managed a quick laugh. “Got it on discount racks at Kohl’s.”

“It suits you well.”

“Thanks.” She spun her brain, thinking of an excuse to get away from this place. Even though Gabriel was hot and all, he was sharper than she’d thought. Sooner or later, he would find out she was blowing hot air. Bathroom? Too cliché. Grab her purse and dash to the door like Road Runner? Hmm…

“Boyfriend?”

“Excuse me?”

“I don’t see any ring on your fingers, so you aren’t married or engaged. No mark of a ring either, so you can’t be widowed or previously engaged. You’re too young to be the love interest of the gentleman you’re meeting if he’s your father’s lawyer. Ninety per cent of the members of this club are gentlemen over the age of fifty. I’ve safely assumed you’re either single or in a relationship with a man your age.”

“Wow. You guessed all that based on the fact I’m not wearing any ring?”

“It’s a simple matter of deduction.”

“How do you know I’m not a lesbian and in a domestic partnership with…” Cat gulped and added lamely, “…my partner?”

“I could be wrong.” He tipped his head. “But you would likely have declined my invitation if you were into girls.”

Jesus. She had to get out of here. Gabriel was way, way smarter than she had expected. What had she been thinking, spying on him closely on his own turf like this? She sucked at questioning people. This wasn’t a missing cat or nabbing some married guy who’d had nookie with a stripper. This was some serious shit she was treading in.

“Well?” he demanded.

“Nice shirt.”

Gabriel looked super amused by now. He snatched her wrist and semi-dragged her to the table he was playing on. She had a feeling he knew the game she was at. He thrust the cue stick in her hand and scooped himself behind her. No,
against
her. She could feel warmth emanating from his body, and his scent permeated the air like an intoxicating perfume. It had a heady effect. He didn’t wear any cologne. Just his natural scent. Musk. Feral. And, whatever it was, it spiked her libido to the roof. Her nipples hardened. Her pussy became wet. She felt his hot breath on her ear. The hairs on her nape stood up. She heard a deep inhalation.

Dude. Did he just scent me?

She looked over her shoulder to investigate, but all of a sudden his lips were on her cheek. Her heart skipped a beat. It wasn’t a kiss. No. It was more like…tasting. He dragged his tongue lazily across her jaw line to the shell of her ear. She shivered. Gabriel nipped her earlobe and sucked it.

Cat’s knees buckled.

* * * *

Gabe quickly steadied her with an arm across her belly. It gave him the opportunity to draw her closer to his chest. She was just perfect. Her body moulded to his embrace as if she had been made just for him. He could feel the fast gallop of her heartbeat. The goosebumps on her skin where he’d tasted her. And her deepening arousal…

Her scent.

Fucking unbelievable.

She was more irresistible than a lioness in heat and this woman wasn’t a shifter. She was only a human. Ironically, her name was Cat. She was a kitty Gabe would be only too happy to pet.

“Are you all right?” Gabe asked her. He knew
he
wasn’t. His cock had been hard from the moment he’d caught her scent as she’d innocently breezed into this club. The white cocktail dress she wore had caught everybody’s attention. It hugged her hourglass figure seductively without being trashy. But since the club was rather deserted at this hour and mostly populated with older gentlemen, they knew better than to stare at her blatantly. Especially at the pair of fine breasts she had. If she were his woman, Gabe would forbid her from wearing something that flirty. He wanted to keep this scrumptious morsel of delight and all her glory to himself.

Cat. Catherine. Gabe wanted to purr her name.

“I’m fine.” Her voice was a bit shaky.

“You sure?” Gabe leant down and breathed in her scent.
God.
He would have jumped her bones if she were a lioness and they were in the Serengeti, not in the heart of Manhattan. His lion said
Fuck the society rules and just claim her, already
. His beast had been restless as soon as it had caught her presence.

“Yeah, I’m sure.”

“Okay.” Gabe fixed the cue stick in her hand, showing her how to hold it correctly. He then arranged her arms on the table and told her how to make a perfect shot. “This one should be easy. Kiss shot. Our goal is to make balls one and three kiss before the cue ball sends them into the pockets.” He marionetted her hand and told her to hit. Her tap was weak. It didn’t pack enough force to send the balls down the holes. Understandable. She was new to this game.

But what he was curious about was what she was doing in this place. The club belonged to him, and he knew for sure he hadn’t approved a membership for a man named Marvin Jackson. It didn’t take a genius to see she was up to something.

She looked disappointed about the shot. “I…uhm… I’ve never played this game before.”

“I can see that. No worries.” He arranged her arms and hands to make the next shot. “Is your name really Catherine?”

She froze. “Yeah,” she said indignantly, straightening her posture. “Catherine Kovac.”

“Kovac. Eastern European surname. Serb?”

“Croatian. My father is Croatian. My mother is Jordanian.”

“I thought you had Middle Eastern blood in you. Your skin”—Gabe touched the exposed part of her shoulder and her forearm—“is very exotic. Café au lait. It just so happens I’m very fond of the drink, as well.”

Her indignation turned into a blush. “Th-thanks.”

“Now, Cat. What really brings you here? I know there’s no gentleman named Marvin Jackson in your planned engagement.”

Her cheeks reddened. Gabe found her very cute. Everything about her was cute, from her straight, raven hair, which she wore down to her tailbone, to her big, dark fawn eyes, shapely nose, and petulant chin. Not to mention her petite figure with curves in all the right places. Her waist was dainty, but her hips and ass were every man’s fantasy. Full, firm, and perfect for mounting in a hot, sweaty fucking session.