Red by Kate Serine Page A

soothed, stroking his arm. She was pretty in an uptight, corporate kind of way. “It was my fault. I should have made sure that the correct protein was delivered before you came on set.”
    Caliban ran a hand through his wild mane of tawny hair, reminding me of a caged lion ready to spring on his prey. He cast a frustrated glance around the wreckage of his set and waved away her apology. “It’s all right,” he said, his voice a lot milder than it had been. “I’ll figure something out.”
    At that moment the woman—Sebille, I presumed—sensed our presence and rushed forward to intercept us. “I’m sorry,” she said calmly in spite of the angry flash of her forest green eyes, “but this isn’t a good time. Chef Caliban is busy at the moment.”
    Nate grunted and nodded toward the wreckage. “So we heard.”
    I lifted my FMA badge. “This is official business, Miss . . .”
    “Fenwick.” Sebille’s eyes narrowed at me as she gave me the once-over. “You’re Tess Little,” she practically snarled. “I’ve heard about you.”
    I grinned at her, hoping it would get under her skin. “Peachy. Then you know to get the hell out of my way and let me do my job.”
    Sebille took a step forward, not intimidated by me in the least. Interesting . “I don’t think I like your attitude,” she snapped.
    I returned the advance and shoved my face up at hers. “I don’t think I like your shoes, so I guess we’re even.”
    Based on the look of outrage on her face, I was about to have a good girly throw-down complete with scratching and hair-pulling, but Caliban stepped forward and placed a hand on Sebille’s shoulder before the fun could get started.
    “It’s all right, Sebille,” he said gently. “I have no reason for concern.”
    The woman instantly dropped back a step. “Of course,” she muttered. “I’ll be in my office if you need me.” She cast a glance toward Todd from under lowered lashes, but his gaze was trained on me, his lips almost curving into a smile.
    “Hi, Red,” he said warmly. “I thought I might be seeing you.”
    “I wish it was under different circumstances,” I said, meaning it.
    His eyes took me in with a sweeping glance, taking on the same hungry look that had first brought to mind the image of a lion. “Me, too.”
    “We have to take you in for questioning,” I told him, not bothering to keep the regret out of my voice. There was no point. Caliban wasn’t the monster he was made out to be—which apparently was the theme of my love life. But he’d also been in trouble enough to know the drill.
    “I had nothing to do with Hamelin’s death,” he said, taking off his chef’s jacket and tossing it onto the kitchen counter. “I hired him to get rid of a few rats in my restaurants. That was the extent of our acquaintance.”
    Nate stepped forward and grabbed on to Caliban’s arm, giving him a none too gentle tug toward the hallway. “Not about the Hamelin case.”
    Caliban’s face contorted instantly at Nate’s rough treatment, and he jerked his arm away. “Then what the hell is it about?”
    “Take it easy!” I chastised, glowering at Nate. Then, turning to Caliban, I asked, “How did you know about Hamelin already?”
    He shrugged. “Word travels fast. I heard it from an associate.”
    I raised my brows. “Want to give me a name?”
    Todd offered me a genuine smile this time. “No, probably not. It’s always more fun to watch you sort it out on your own.”
    This time I was the one who grabbed his elbow and ushered him off the set. “You know, you’d make things a lot easier for everyone if you just cooperated, Todd.”
    To my surprise, he swept up my hand and kissed it with a chuckle. “And deny myself these lovely visits from you?”
    “Hey, lay off the kissing, pal,” Nate growled. Literally.
    Caliban and I both jerked back at the harshness of Nate’s tone. “Who’s the new boyfriend?” Caliban taunted, nodding his head in Nate’s direction.
    I