Too Far Gone by Debra Webb, Regan Black Page B

played her part perfectly, leaning into his touch, flirting and batting her eyelashes, her breath fanning his ear when she spoke. It was all an act, but his body couldn’t seem to remember that detail. Every nuance of her performance drove him closer to the edge of his tolerance, the edge of his sanity. If they didn’t find Vanya soon, he might plead
no mas
and turn her over to the police himself. He needed distance. Fast.
    “This place has atmosphere, but it’s not quite right,” she murmured, sipping her overpriced drink while he warned off another potential admirer with a hard look. “But we’re getting closer.”
    Eyeing security cameras in the corners, he considered the scattered details Claudia had on the Krushka syndicate. “One more and we’re calling it a night,” he reminded her. Disguised or not, staying out too long was dangerous. “We can find another way to get this done.”
    “Only one more?” She peered up at him through the thick, false eyelashes framing her eyes.
    God, she was gorgeous. He kicked the thought out of his head. “We’ll go to the Royal and that’s it. No negotiations.” According to his research, like the last three they’d visited, the Royal had a history of association with Russian mobsters. It was the last one on his list.
    “You’re the boss,” she teased, tapping her fingertip against his lips.
    He nipped her finger, pleased when she gasped. She needed to know she was pushing him to the limit. Holding her gaze, he licked the pad of her finger before letting go. With her body so close to his, the quickening of her breath was obvious. He raised his eyebrows. “Ready to go?”
    “Very,” she replied, gifting him with another of those secret smiles.
    It was like a punch to the gut to realize how much he wanted her to look at him like that and mean it. At one time he’d considered himself a good judge of character or at least intention. But since he’d come home from his final military assignment, he struggled to trust his instincts when navigating the confusing social games people played. This was one serious game.
    The cool night air was welcome as they left the club. He tried to hide the dread he felt at starting the charade over at yet another establishment, but they had to play it out. A Hollywood PD car cruised by on patrol and Lauren looked up at him as if he had all of life’s answers. Something he couldn’t imagine the real, independent Lauren ever doing. At each stop tonight, he’d calculated evasions and exits just in case trouble found them. He didn’t relax until the patrol car took the next corner.
    When they were settled into a cab and on their way, she squeezed his hand. “I’m having a great time,” she said, her eyes sliding to the driver.
    “Me, too.” Holding up his end of the act, he leaned down and brushed his lips across hers. Big mistake, he thought, as she sucked on her lower lip as if savoring his taste. He was completely outclassed here. Given a choice, he’d tip her back into the seat and feast on that full, sweet mouth until her lips were rosy enough without any gloss or paint.
    It was a bitter relief when the cab stopped short at the end of the line where people vied for the doorman’s attention.
    “Oh, man. Getting in this place doesn’t look promising.” So far, there hadn’t been lines at the other clubs. This was a surprise, particularly in this neighborhood.
    “Follow me,” Lauren said, already climbing out.
    “Hang on.” He paid the fare and climbed out after her.
    She tossed him a look as the mass of brunette hair swept her cheek. “Trust me.”
    He didn’t have much choice. Feeling like an oversized accessory, he cooperated as she beamed and sparkled at the ebony-skinned giant guarding the entrance. Those in line watched them closely, speculating as to who either of them might be. Mike was working through potential escape routes should any of them guess correctly when the doorman gave a belly laugh and unhooked