“Shoot.”
* * *
Leilah Milani was a struggling actress Ryan had met at a bar several years ago. She was a dark-haired Persian beauty—a free spirit, with a thirst for life, and a body that was so hot, it sizzled. She and Rya
n had had an on-again, off-again thing that was ten percent conversation and ninety percent sex. Leilah’s acting career had started to take off about eight months ago, and Ryan’s career at Forensic Instincts was thriving. So they hadn’t touched base in a while.
That didn’t stop Ryan from picking up the phone now.
He gave Leilah a call right after he hung up with Casey, and met her at the Forensic Instincts brownstone a few hours later. She was the same exquisitely beautiful woman he remembered, and she was dying to hear the acting job Ryan’s company wanted to hire her for.
Ryan led her into a first-floor interview room. “You look great,” he said.
Leilah’s smile was radiant. She walked up to Ryan, wrapped her arms around his neck and planted a long, lingering kiss on his mouth. “So do you,” she murmured.
“Oh...excuse me, I didn’t know this room was occupied.”
Claire’s tone was as startled as it was cold.
Ryan glanced past Leilah to see Claire leaning against the door jamb, arms folded across her chest as she observed the overfriendly exchange between Ryan and the exotically stunning woman with him.
“Hey, Claire-voyant, come on in.” Reflexively, Ryan released Leilah, dropping his arms to his sides. This was a new and unwelcome situation for him. He’d never before given a damn if two women he was involved with at the same time ran into each other. No strings meant no strings. But with Claire...this was weird.
“This is Leilah Milani,” he introduced, waving Claire in. “She’s an old friend who’s going to be helping us out with this case. Leilah, this is Claire Hedgleigh. She’s the Forensic Instincts—” he paused, cautioning himself not to use the dreaded word psychic “—intuitive. She’s a core team member.”
“Nice to meet you, Claire.” Leilah walked over and extended her hand, shook Claire’s. “An intuitive? Is that like a medium?”
“We have different sensitivities. We operate through different communication channels,” Claire replied. Having gotten past that first awkward moment, she reverted to her usual gentle, even-tempered self. “What about you? What’s your profession? How are you helping us with this case?”
“I’m an actress,” Leilah informed her. “And I don’t know the details of my assignment yet, but apparently Ryan is giving me an exciting opportunity to assist you.”
“I’m sure he is. Ryan is all about excitement.” Claire couldn’t resist that one barb. “In any case, I won’t keep you.” She turned her gaze on Ryan, her demeanor one hundred percent professional. “I just wanted to tell you that I spoke with Casey, that her outing yielded some success, and she’ll be back by dinnertime.”
“I know. I spoke with her.” Ryan had the absurd desire to grab Claire, shake her and explain. At the same time, he was inexplicably angry at himself for even thinking he owed her an explanation.
Reading the warring emotions on his face, Claire opted to extricate herself. “Talk to you later,” she said. “And good luck with your assignment, Leilah. I’ll get back to what I was doing and give you two some privacy.”
She shut the door behind her.
“She’s lovely,” Leilah commented, eyeing the closed door for a minute. Then she turned to face Ryan. “And you’re sleeping with her,” she added. “Is it serious? I’d hate to think you’re off the market.”
Ryan kept his expression nondescript. “We’re not here to discuss my sex life, Leilah. We’re here to set up a sting. Are you game?”
Another one of those radiant smiles. “As I said, I’m game for just about anything with you.”
“Good.” Ryan ignored the double entendre. “This isn’t going to require an Oscar-worthy performance. But it is going to be an integral part of solving this case.”
“I’m honored,” she said teasingly. “I’ve never been asked to capture a criminal.”
“Well, there’s a first time for everything. Let me start by saying that this has to be conducted with the utmost discretion. It’s not a role you can publicize or put on your résumé.”
“Got it.” Leilah nodded.
“It also has to be done ASAP—as in tomorrow. Can you swing it?”
Another nod. “I’m in between roles. Give me the details. Then, I’m all yours.” She winked. “In any way you want me.”
* * *