“Anything else?”
“Oil or grease or maybe something metallic.”
“That’s good. It’s more than we had five minutes ago and something you can keep in mind as you complete your background checks on O’Fallon’s clan.”
Amusement softened her eyes. “Perhaps you would be better suited for the FBI.”
“Hell, no. I’ll leave the bureaucratic bullshit to my big brother.”
Her features slid back into neutral.
Way to destroy progress, Blackwell.
“Hi, Liv.” A twenty-something brunette leaned down to air-kiss the agent’s cheek. “Thanks again for helping my sister deal with her”—she stabbed a glance in Zeke's direction —“situation.”
“It was my pleasure, Hailey. But any success belongs to Ivy—and her determination.”
Tears glistened in the server’s eyes before she cleared her throat. “Can I get you something to drink?”
Liv deferred to Zeke.
“Coffee. Black,” he said.
“I’ll have the cappuccino.”
“A slice of banana nut bread?” Hailey asked Liv.
“I shouldn’t.”
“It just came out of the oven.”
She looked at Zeke. “You allergic to nuts?”
“Just my brothers.”
A smile flashed. “Bring us a nice, thick slice, please, Hailey.”
“Will do. I’ll be back in a sec.”
Once the server left, Zeke said, “A weakness. Good to know.”
“Enjoy the moment. It’s the last one you’ll learn.”
He remembered her reaction when he’d licked the delicate hollow between her leg and mound. If he’d had more time with her, he was certain he could have found a few more places that would make her moan his name. “I doubt that.”
She shifted in her seat as if recalling the same memory.
“What was this thing you helped Ivy out with?”
Her hands smoothed out the nonexistent wrinkles on the linen napkin draped over her lap. “Nothing much. A guy issue.”
“Considering a guy bashed you in the back of the head, I’d say nothing related to guys is too small right now.”
He could tell she didn’t want to discuss the incident with him, but finally said, “Ivy is a social media influencer who makes a living off sponsorships for fashion, beauty products, and even luxury vehicles.”
Sadie could spend hours watching videos of dancers and dogs and other dipshits trying to make their mark on a platform that was nothing but roiling pots of poor grammar, high drama, and unnecessary risk.
Jeez-Almighty, he sounded old.