Max said coolly.
“I think Theo really loves Loren, though.”
“Does he?” Max tilted his thoughtfully. “Or has his relationship with Loren become so public that his ego won’t allow them to break up? If Loren leaves him, it feeds into the accusations that Theo bullied Loren into a homosexual relationship he wasn’t suited for.”
“But Loren really is gay.” Ethan paused. “Or maybe he’s gay for pay. Theo told me Loren used to go to house parties with big-time gay producers and directors.”
“The answer might lie somewhere in between.”
“Theo’s too intense for my tastes, but I sympathize with him. I think he genuinely loves Loren, but this thing that’s happening between them is a mess.” Ethan smiled to himself. “You tease me about being a terrible gambler, but the truth is I lucked out in the biggest gamble of my life.”
Max squeezed his hand. “You used up all your luck, Ethan. I can’t complain.”
~~~~~
The return flight to Vegas was fine until they entered the valley. Since it was another day of temperatures over a hundred-degrees, heat bounced off the pavement, buildings, and cars. Once their plane hit those air currents, the turbulence made for a rocky minute or so before landing. Sweat broke out on Ethan’s forehead and he worried he’d be sick, but he managed to hang on to touchdown.
“Let’s not leave Vegas for a while,” he proposed as Domenic drove them to their condo. He cradled the bottle of mineral water Max had handed him as soon as they climbed in the back of the limo. “Or else we’ll only do it during the winter.”
“It was a rough ride,” Max acknowledged, sounding distracted as he checked his phone. Whatever he saw made a line dip between his eyebrows.
“What is it?” Ethan asked. He finished off his water, uneasy. “Is it Theo?”
“Veronica informed me that he has changed his schedule for this evening. He was supposed to be having dinner with fans, but he’s insisting on going sightseeing alone.”
“Sightseeing?” Ethan was dubious. “He’s been here nearly a week and he did that helicopter tour. This sounds like an excuse to get into trouble. He’s up to something.”
“I agree it sounds suspicious.”
“It also sounds like he’s trying to ditch Veronica.”
“Yes. She said Theo hasn’t expressed fear of any fans. Whatever is bothering him—if it’s indeed real—he’s keeping to himself.”
“Except he told me. He wants me to know.” Ethan shook his head. “We should let him go out. And then follow him.”
Max put his phone away and crossed one leg at the ankle as he regarded Ethan. “This contract is a job, it’s not an adventure. You’re allowing him to draw you into his game.”
“I’m aware of that. Theo’s dropping a trail of crumbs. Why? Where do they lead?”
“In all likelihood it’ll lead to another staged scene in which you’ll play the starring role and not only will your own reputation be tarnished but so will that of The Elite Poole Worldwide.”
“Not if we catch him in the act.” Ethan knew he was talking nonsense, but Max was right: this had become something of a weird adventure. “He wouldn’t expect you to be there. You could observe in secret and expose him if he starts pulling something shady.”
“To what end?” Max asked with a level of patience Ethan had to give him credit for. “You’re not the agent assigned to him, and even if you were, your job wouldn’t be to flush out his deception.”
“Don’t worry, I know. I’m not interested in playing into his hands a second time. I was just talking.” Ethan was glad more than ever that Max had switched him and Veronica. “Theo can have his fun on his own.”
They arrived home and sorted their dirty laundry for Analisa. The housekeeper and cook had prepared two plates for their dinners, and placed them in the refrigerator.
“She even made dessert,” Ethan discovered happily as he scoured the fridge. “Remind me to order her a bouquet and a box of those chocolate-covered strawberries from that shop she likes.”
“Last time you bought her those she begged you not to buy them again,” Max reminded her. “She complained they made her fat.”
“Everyone says that about a food they love. Rarely anyone actually means it.” Ethan headed into their bedroom to change into clothes that didn’t smell like the plane when he heard a familiar buzzing sound from the sideboard by the front door. He stuck his head out of the doorway. “Is that my phone?”
Max walked over and picked it up. He visibly