Ivy’s hair looked blue-black under the lights as they made their way through the crowded room, and as always, he wondered what it would be like if he had the right to run his hands through her hair, to cup the back of her head as he took her mouth with his. As he claimed her.
Perfumes, liquor, and the scents of bodies all assaulted him but he kept his hand at the small of her back. He didn’t want to get separated from her when everything was unknown. He also hated that she would’ve come here tonight without him. That she probably did this more often than he wanted to think about. He knew she was good at her job—damn good—but that didn’t mean he had to like that she put herself in potentially dangerous situations. And he still didn’t know enough about this job yet—what she would do if she found these guys.
They’d just sat down when a waitress wearing a shimmery skirt maybe seven inches long and what amounted to matching gold pasties on her nipples glided up to them in, no shit, roller skates.
He blinked in surprise, impressed at the feat.
“Champagne, please,” Ivy said before the woman could ask. Then she named her favorite brand. “Bring a bottle.”
“We’ve got bottle service in the VIP room if you’re interested,” the woman said without missing a beat, her smile friendly as she looked between the two of them.
“We’re good for now. I’m waiting on someone, but maybe later, thanks.”
She nodded and glided away, maneuvering her way through the throng of people with a liquid ease that was insane.
“You like that?” Ivy’s tone was tart as she eyed him.
Wait. Did she think he’d been checking the woman out? And…did she care? “I don’t understand how she moves around in those roller skates.” He glanced around and saw other servers, all women, doing the same thing. They were carrying around trays as if it was nothing, while wearing practically nothing. That took some talent. “That’s seriously impressive.”
The tension in Ivy’s shoulders seem to ease and she smiled. “Right? They definitely earn their tips.”
* * *
Ivy looked out around the club, scanning for her contact. Because Leo definitely wasn’t a friend. But he owed her a favor and had been acting all squirrely when she’d contacted him about the art thieves. Which meant he knew something that could help her.
Luckily she had actual friends who frequented this place who’d alerted her to his presence. It was kind of weird to be here with Nash though. Even if they had done stakeouts together before, those had been low-key and he’d basically been there to keep her company while she was bored. This felt…different. But part of her liked that he was seeing her in her element. She’d gotten peeks that he might be into her but…she didn’t think he’d ever do anything about it. Not when he was best friends with her brother, Ezra. That had the potential to get messy.
She forced herself to lock up those thoughts. Right now she had to work. Adrenaline pumped through her as she hunted down her prey. She always felt like this on a job, and while she was certain this was her last job, she wanted to find something else that gave her the same buzz. Or at least joy.
“How long do you plan on waiting for him?” Nash asked neutrally, watching her with those curious green eyes. There was no annoyance in his tone or on his way too handsome face. That was another thing she really liked about him—he wasn’t pushing her.
“Maybe an hour or two.”
He nodded, casually helping her scan the place. She’d shown him a picture of Leo and hoped they found— Ha, there he was! Sneaky man.
She slid off her barstool. “Sit tight.” Before Nash could respond, she hurried through the growing crowd of clubgoers, making an indirect path toward Leo, who had his back to her as he slid up to a clear spot at the bar—attempting to hit on a pretty woman with waist-length auburn hair. She might not be able to see his face, but she recognized the jacket he was wearing and the arrogant swagger.
She slid up next to him and looped her arm through his.
He jumped, but when he met her gaze, he cursed. “What are you doing here?”
She leaned in close as she tugged him away from the woman he’d been trying to talk up. “The real question is, why aren’t you answering my follow-up calls? We had a deal.”
She could practically hear the pushback before he even started to talk, so she started basically dragging him with her toward the table where Nash was now standing instead of sitting.
She’d never seen Nash look like this before but he was definitely in what she thought of as operator mode. He was staring at Leo as if he could break him in two, and from Leo’s expression, he was well aware of the fact that Nash would kick his ass in a fight. Not that they would be fighting.
“Who’s this?” Leo bit out as she shoved him onto one of the high stools.
She slid her glass of champagne across to him. She’d taken a few sips but otherwise wasn’t drinking tonight. She’d just ordered something expensive so it wouldn’t bother anyone that they were taking up the table for so long—luckily it was an easy work expense.
Leo tossed the drink back, finishing it in one gulp.
Classy.
“I know you have the information I want. But maybe you’re the kind of guy who goes back on his word?” She gave him a long look as he started pouring himself another glass, studiously ignoring Nash’s stare.
And Nash had really played up the tall, angry and deadly thing to perfection. Though she figured he wasn’t really playing at all. The man was all hot, hard-muscled… Damn it. No.
“You owe me a favor. But I shouldn’t be surprised that you’re just another liar.” She was pushing his buttons, knew exactly what she was doing. But she wasn’t going to beg Leo. So she shoved up from her seat. “Enjoy the expensive champagne. Just be sure that I’m not going to forget this.”
Leo held his hands up in the air, his dark eyes filled with concern. “Look, I wasn’t trying to welch on our deal. I know I owe you. Just…” His normally arrogant aura had faded, his expression serious as he looked between the two of them. “Can I speak freely in front of him?” he asked with a nod toward Nash.
“Yes. He’s my partner.” A good-enough explanation.
Leo’s shoulders relaxed a fraction as he leaned forward. “These guys are violent.” He’d lowered his voice, but she could still hear him over the beat of the music. “And I’m not questioning your capability.” He looked at Nash once before focusing on her. “These guys don’t mess around. And I know how you operate. If you get what you’re looking for and they find out you’re the one who took it…” He raised his eyebrows. “They’ll come after you. Your family.”
Ivy simply lifted an eyebrow. “I’ve dealt with thugs like this before.”
“No you haven’t. This crew is American, but they mainly work out of Eastern Europe and I’m hoping they’re going to head straight back there once they offload the piece. Freaking Interpol has nothing on them at this point. They can’t even prove what they did.”
“Leo.” She snapped out his name whiplash fast. “I want a location for the crew. Do you have it or not?” With a location, she could get what she wanted, then let law enforcement know where they were. Not that they could do much at this point other than try to bring them in for questioning.