“I don’t believe you. I’m pretty sure you’re capable.”

“You’re right. I am. I could have had her home in hours that first night.”

My mouth dropped open, but no sound came out at first. “What?” I yelled, my tone edging into the territory of a screech. Both of my hands shot out and I shoved at his chest. It was completely solid, and Rix didn’t move. “Why? How could you just leave her there?”

Rix’s expression hardened further. “I’m trying to keep this from becoming a war. Innocent blood gets spilled when that shit gets unleashed, and it ain’t what we need right now.”

“A gang war?”

He gave me a short nod before continuing, and I wondered if he’d said more than he’d intended. “I can’t agree to their demands without losing power and position. So I’m working the angles. Takes a little more time, but I’m gonna get her back without looking weak or starting a fucking bloodbath.”

The reasoning made some sort of strange sense. But I still didn’t like it.

“Work faster. She has to be terrified. I don’t care what you have to do, but you need to get her out, and quick. God only knows what they’ve done to her.” My stomach, which had been tied into knots since Trinity had disappeared, twisted violently.

Rix laid a hand on either side of my face and tilted my head so I was staring directly into his unusual eyes. “You have my word that they haven’t touched her. They don’t want a war any more than I do. And I swear to you, I’ll get her back as soon as I can. But we’re doing it my way. This ain’t your world, duchess, so you’re not callin’ the shots here.”

What could I do, short of calling the police and forcing them to launch a full-scale recovery operation? Rhett would almost certainly believe me when I told him. Maybe. But I believed what Rix said, and I didn’t want to put Trinity at risk.

The cops were not a safe option.

Against all odds, the man in front of me continued to be my best choice.

“Okay, but please hurry.”

Rix’s expression softened a fraction. “You’re lucky I like you, duchess, otherwise those orders wouldn’t fly.” His gaze dropped to my lips. “Fuck. I gotta taste you again.”

I didn’t have time to think or protest before his lips landed on mine. This kiss was slower than the first, almost as if Rix was savoring it. Savoring me.

With a soft moan, I pushed up onto my toes and leaned into him, my arms rising of their own accord to loop around his neck. It was my turn to savor.

I had no idea how long we stood in my foyer, tasting each other with long, lazy strokes, before Rix pulled away again, this time stepping back and letting me go.

“I’m gonna collect sooner rather than later. That’s a promise.”

I’M GONNA COLLECT SOONER RATHER than later. That’s a promise.

Rix’s words haunted me, and I was caught between lying to myself and admitting what I really wanted. This fascination wasn’t healthy, and it absolutely wasn’t normal to hope that someone would break into your house and be waiting for you at night. And yet here I was fascinated and hoping.

Because I want updates about Trinity. That’s why. That’s it. It was at least part of the truth.

Thankfully, today had been a constant stream of buying customers, which might have kept me busy, but didn’t stop me from thinking about Trinity constantly. I was failing at keeping her safe. Should I have gone to the cops? Would this all be a bad memory already?

I faced that decision head-on when Rhett walked in the door of Noble Art. He smiled and nodded at the older woman leaving with a small watercolor by a local artist.

“In the market for some art?” I asked, keeping my tone intentionally light.

“More in the market for the proprietor.” His gaze was direct and intense, just like his words.

I fumbled for a reply. “The proprietor appreciates your interest.”

“That’s a good thing because I’m taking her out tonight. Just wanted to make sure plans hadn’t changed.”

His green eyes were sharp, taking in my every expression. It would be so easy to open my mouth and spill everything. But at what cost?

I’d lost the thread of conversation for a moment. “Nope, plans haven’t changed.”

“Good. I’ll pick you up at seven.”

“I’ll be ready. Text me or call if something comes up.” I was assuming the cop life meant he had a schedule that he couldn’t always control.

Rhett nodded. “That means you have to give me your number.”

I blinked. I knew he had it already. “But you have it.”

Another slow nod and serious stare. “And I’m not going to use it to call you personally until you give it to me somewhere other than your case file.”

A shard of pain panged my heart at the reminder. There was no way to erase that part of our past. Rhett and I would always be connected by what had happened to me that night.

I forced a smile and turned to my desk to grab a pad of paper and pen. After I’d jotted down my number, I tore off the top sheet and handed it to him. We were starting a new chapter, and what had happened in the past was irrelevant.

“Here you go. Personally from me to you.”

Rhett looked down at the paper, and I wondered if he already had my number memorized before he slipped it into the breast pocket of his suit jacket.

“I’ll be sure to use it.”

I had nothing to add, so I just smiled. I wasn’t prepared for his next question.

“No employee today either? Did you fire her?”

My heart thudded against my chest. Dammit. The man was a detective, so it wasn’t surprising that he was curious, but I also was terrible at lying. This was my opportunity. My opening. I could tell him everything and ask for help.

Before I could open my mouth, the door opened again and two familiar and welcome faces strolled in. Yve and Lucas Titan.

“Detective Hennessy, you really are everywhere,” Lucas drawled. He extended his arm and the men shook hands.

“How are you, Titan? Mrs. Titan?”

Yve smiled as her eyebrow arched. “I still have a first name, Detective.”

“I recall. I’m glad to see you survived your belated bachelorette party.”

Lucas’s deep laugh filled my gallery. “I sure won’t be forgetting that night anytime soon.”