Love you to Death by Shannon K. Butcher Page A

Elise, licking his lips.
    “Well, if it isn’t Miss Threesome,” he said.
    The men beside her both turned and stared at her as soon as they heard that.
    Trent was right behind her, close enough to touch, but not doing so, watching her face in the mirrored backsplash. Her grin widened and she leaned on the bar, pressing her breasts upward on display.
    “In the flesh,” she told him.
    “Lots of it, too. What can I get you, sugar?”
    “Tickets to your back room.”
    The bartender looked up at Trent, then back at her. “I only have one left.”
    Elise pouted, and if it wasn’t the sexiest damn thing Trent had ever seen, he didn’t know what was.
    “Spoilsport.”
    “Sorry. I’m not into guys.”
    “Then I’d make him watch. He likes to watch.”
    Holy shit. She was pushing too far, tempting fate, offering something Trent would never let her give.
    He put his hand on her bare back in silent warning. Supple muscles rippled under her skin as she straightened her spine, but she gave no indication that she’d understood his warning.
    Was she desperate enough to actually go through with her promise? Would she fuck this guy if it got her a peek at the security tapes?
    Desperate.
    Over Trent’s dead body. Either the guy would let her see them or he wouldn’t. Sex wasn’t going to change a thing.
    “We just want to talk,” said Trent, butting in before she got herself in too deep. “That’s it.”
    “Is this about that girl you’re looking for? I saw her picture on the news today.” He looked down at Elise. “I saw you, too. I know you’re just playing me with that whole threesome bit.”
    Elise moved back from the edge of the bar, taking her breasts off display. Thank God.
    The movement pressed her more fully against his palm until he could feel the delicate bones of her spine. Trent should have pulled away, but he couldn’t. He left his hand right there, bathing in the softness of her skin, the damp warmth her body was putting off.
    “Please, just give me a few minutes. I’ll pay you for your time,” said Elise.
    The bartender’s eyes brightened at the promise of cash, but he shook his head. “Sorry. I’m too busy tonight.”
    “Don’t they give you a break?”
    “Breaks don’t earn tips.”
    “I want to talk to the owner,” said Elise.
    “She’s out of town. I’m in charge.”
    It was a lie. Trent could smell the man’s deception all the way across the bar.
    “Please,” begged Elise. “My sister was in here Friday. She left with some guy and we need to see your security tapes.”
    “No way. Not without a warrant.”
    “What are you trying to hide?” asked Trent.
    “I’m not trying to hide anything. I’m trying to protect business. If I go letting you snoop through my tapes, it’ll drive away a lot of customers. Do you have any idea how many of the guys in here are married?”
    The man on Elise’s left stood up and moved away so fast he nearly knocked a waitress down.
    “See?” said the bartender. “You’re driving people away. Now leave or I’ll have you escorted out.”
    “If you kick us out, we’ll be coming back here with the cops,” warned Elise.
    “Fine, bring ’em on. Tell ’em to bring a warrant or I’ll kick them out, too.”
    They weren’t going to get anywhere like this. Trent took ahold of Elise’s arm and gave her a small tug. “Come on. We’ll call Bob and do this by the book.”
    Elise let him lead her back through the throng toward the door. “We need to tell him to hurry. I don’t trust that man not to destroy the evidence just to protect his cheating clientele.”
    “Neither do I.”
    Trent looked over his shoulder, and sure enough, the slimy bartender had gotten a waitress to take his place, and was headed toward a door marked “ EMPLOYEES ONLY .”
    As soon as they got outside, Trent dialed Bob Tindle. Bob wasn’t going to enjoy getting another late call, but that was just too bad.
    Steve hated leaving voice mail, but he had no choice.