“But who?” Simon asked. “I thought we couldn’t trust the NYPD because Santos might not be the only dirty cop working for these people.”
I grimaced. “I haven’t quite figured it all out yet.”
Simon snorted. “Great.”
“The FBI,” Fae interjected quietly. She’d been listening in silence for several moments, a conflicted expression on her face. “You can go to them. I know someone who will help you.”
Simon and I turned simultaneously to face our friend, twin expressions of surprise on our faces.
“Youknow a guyin the FBI?” I asked, my tone full of disbelief.
“Someone has been keeping some serious secrets,” Simon chided, planting both hands on his hips and leveling a glare in Fae’s direction. “What is this about? First youknow a guywho can magically produce a dossier of information aboutLabyrinth. Then youknow a guywho can look over Lux’s NDA. And now youknow a guywho happens to work as a federal agent?” Simon snorted. “What are you, an international spy? A mobster’s daughter? A computer hacker leading a double life as a relationship expert?”
Fae shook her head. “You guys, it’s not a big deal.”
A knock sounded on Simon’s bedroom door and Nate popped his head inside. “Sebastian’s here.”
“Thanks, Nate.” I smiled at him and he winked in return before disappearing back out into the common room.
I rose from the vanity stool, straightened my shoulders, and took a final look at myself.
“I can do this.” I took a deep breath. “At least, I think can do this. I’m pretty sure I can. Probably.”
“Your self-confidence is awe-inspiring.” Simon rolled his eyes.
“Oh, shut up.” I turned to face Fae. “When I get back, we need to have a long talk about your mysterious connections.”
She grinned at me. “Good luck tonight.”
“She doesn’t need luck, she’s wearing Dior,” Simon said. “Now go forth and conquer, baby.”
***
Bash wasn’t speaking to me. Not with words, anyway. He’d taken one look at my outfit, and his vocabulary had devolved into some kind of strange, caveman-esque language of grunts and grumbles. Apparently, he wasn’t a fan of the hyper-short black dress or its revealing strapless sweetheart neckline.
He’d arrived at Simon’s loft looking like a god — if gods were well-built, 6’2” blond men in immaculately tailored dinner jackets. We locked gazes as soon as I emerged from Simon’s bedroom, my two crazy friends in tow, and I saw his eyes widen fractionally as he took in my Simon-approved ensemble.
Simon leaned in close to my side to whisper in my ear. “That’s a custom Dolce & Gabbana suit.” He blew out an amused huff of air. “Ha! Andyouwanted to recycle that old blue dress you wore to Trisha and Stu’s wedding last summer. I bet you’re glad to be in Dior now! You would’ve looked like one of the Ugly Stepsisters next to Prince Charming, instead of Cinderella.”
“Thanks, Si. Real nice.”
“Oh, you know what I mean, baby.” He laughed. “Don’t get your panties in a twist.”
“She’s not wearing any,” Fae chimed in, linking her arm through mine as we made our way to the door. “This dress is so tight, a panty-line would be glaringly obvious.”
“Please, if you care about me at all, both of youshut the hell up,” I begged as we reached the door and came to a halt in front of Sebastian.
“Hi,” I said, blushing.
“Hi,” he replied, looking me slowly up and down in a way that gave me heart palpitations. As his eyes returned to study my face, a slow smile worked at the corners of his mouth and the banked heat in his eyes stirred to life. I prayed for the strength to make it through this night without combusting under his gaze.
“Hi, handsome.” Simon hip-bumped me to the side and moved close to Bash, his hand extended in greeting. “I’m Simon. I’m sure you’ve heard about me — all flattering things, I hope.” He cast a look over his shoulder at me. “Otherwise, Lux will be getting no more free wardrobe updates or makeup tutorials.”
I opened my mouth to protest that I had neveronceasked for either of those things, but Sebastian beat me to the punch by letting out a surprisingly happy laugh.
“Well, to be honest, I haven’t heard much — but the things Lux has shared have all been wildly flattering, so you have nothing to worry about.” Bash unleashed his most devastating grin — the one that practically oozed charm and sex appeal, delighting women worldwide — and both Simon and Fae seemed to melt a little at the sight. Apparently, even they weren’t immune to the Covington charisma.
“I’d love to stay and get to know you better, but Lux and I have a date.” He turned that alluring smile on me and I tried to steel myself against it but, even with nearly a decade of practice, I couldn’t quite manage to.