wrong, smart or beyond stupid, I did believe him. “All right.”
He cocked his head to the side. “Why does the detective think you slept with Basanelli?”
Why did Aiden care? I shrugged. “Seeing Cheryl’s body hit Nick hard last night, and he got drunk and called me. I kept him company and bandaged his head.”
Aiden’s chin lifted in that way tough guys’ did. “Basanelli got drunk and then called you.”
I blinked. “Well, yeah.” It didn’t sound great the way Aiden said it.
“Right, and I suppose he didn’t make a move.” Aiden’s faint Irish brogue lifted his consonants.
Well, kind of but not really but maybe a little? I wasn’t sure how to answer that.
“Exactly,” Aiden said. He shook his head. “Basanelli was a jerk in high school and isn’t better now. He’s all ambition, and he doesn’t care who gets hurt in his climb to the top. Watch your back, Angel.”
“I think you’ve pegged him wrong,” I said, not sure why I was sticking up for Nick. Sure, he was ambitious, but he seemed like a good guy. “You’re the one out on bond. Speaking of which. Do you run drugs?” Would he be as honest about this?
He leaned in, making my breath catch all funny. “You know I can’t talk about an ongoing case with you.”
“You don’t have a lawyer,” I reminded him. “You can talk all you want.”
“Yeah. I’m not going to.”
That was legally fair, and I couldn’t let go of this opportunity. “When you were talking to Detective Pierce, what did you mean that he left his old job for a reason?”
Aiden’s gaze landed on my mouth. He was definitely losing interest in the conversation. “Pierce had an affair with a coworker and was pretty much forced out of the LAPD. Came up here for a fresh start, although there were rumors of other misconduct that couldn’t be proven.” Aiden threaded his hand through my hair and pulled me away from the handlebars and toward his mouth.
Oh man, I wanted that kiss. What was up with me kissing people I shouldn’t lately? However, this was an opportunity, and I was going to take advantage and hopefully catch him off guard. I was almost to his mouth. “What do you know about baking and drugs, Aiden?”
He paused, his mouth just a breath from mine. “Excuse me?”
Oh, shoot. I couldn’t help myself. I bit his bottom lip just hard enough to leave an indent. “You heard me.”
His hand moved and then twisted in my hair, pulling my head back. I jerked in surprise but couldn’t move my head. “Did you just bite me?” Curiosity and something darker lingered in those eyes.
“Yes,” I whispered. “I also asked you a question.”
His nostrils flared. “What do you know about baking and drugs?”
Not enough. Nothing, actually. “Just that nobody will tell me what’s going on. Nick won’t tell me,” I said in a clear attempt to manipulate him that probably didn’t make sense on any rational level. “Will you?”
“No.” Aiden said the word with a slight yank to my hair. “I will tell you that I bite back.”
I blinked.
“Oh, not now.” He released me and smoothly moved me back behind him on the bike. “And it sure as shit won’t be on your mouth.” Without waiting for a response, he levered up and started the bike, forcing me to grab on as he peeled out of the camping area.
Okay. Everybody I talked to got all cranky when I mentioned baking and drugs. I held on, my mind spinning, as he took me back to my cabin.
Then, with a surprising gentleness, he assisted me from his bike. My knees wobbled for a moment. A buzzing from the car caught my attention. Oh, crap. If I didn’t answer, my dad would go nuts. It had to be him. “Just a sec.” I reached over the closed door and tugged my phone from my purse. “Hi, Dad. Have news?”
“No, honey.” My dad’s voice boomed, but he sounded a little uncertain. “There was no card in the box. Maybe he’s finally given up.”
I couldn’t move. All right. No card? That was almost as frightening as the cards. At least there had been consistency there. “Maybe he’s dead,” I offered.
“I’m hoping. Do you need me to come get you?” my dad asked.
Tears pricked my eyes and I turned to keep Aiden from seeing. “No, Daddy. I’m fine. I promise I’ll call you tomorrow.” We said our goodbyes, and I hurried over to hand Aiden his jacket.