Page 54 of Bitter Lies

What if Rico was murdered before Isabel and her grandmother returned home?

Chapter 20

Aiden

“This is where you live?” Isabel slides out of my lap as we pull up, giving me room to open the door.

“I know it’s not as fancy as what you’re used to, princess, but it’s all a peasant like me can afford.”

I don’t wait for either guard to give us the all-clear. With the engine still running, I open the door and climb out.

With a firm slap on my back, she shows no restraint. “I didn’t mean it like that. I’m pleasantly surprised. It’s cute.”

Offering her my hand, I frown. “Cute?”

She lifts her shoulders in a slight shrug, her eyes scanning the neighborhood. “Yes, cute. Look, you even have a cute blue door.”

Sasha snickers behind me. My guess is that she, too, thinks it’s cute.

“It’s a lease. It isn’t mine. It was available. I needed a place. And for the most part, it’s quiet. As quiet as a place can be living in Fulham.” As soon as Isabel’s out, I shut the door and step in front of her to open the gate. “Plus, it has more than one entrance, a rarity in London. I don’t like being trapped without an alternative exit.”

The moment she passes through the gate, I close it. “You two stand guard here. Don’t let anyone slip past you.”

One of Ryan’s eyebrows lifts, at odds with the furious scowl on his face. “What if they come in through the back?”

Accepting the bag Sasha retrieved from the boot, I turn. “Then they’ll be greeted by Bear. He’s got one hell of a bite.”

“Who’s Bear?” Isabel asks, a curious tone in her voice.

“My German Shepherd. He’s a guard dog. Not a fan of strangers.” Keys jingle in my pocket as I approach the door, searching for the right one.

“Oh.” She positions herself behind me. “I’m a stranger.”

As the key turns, the lock clicks, and a low growl rumbles from the other side. “Yes. But you’re with me.”

Hearing my voice, Bear’s snarl shifts into a joyful yip. “Hey, boy. Let me in. I have a friend with me, so be nice.”

With a sideways head tilt, Bear barks and backs up, peeking around me.

“Does he understand?” Isabel places a hand on my back, mirroring him. “Oh my god, he’s such a handsome boy. Aren’t you a handsome boy?”

Why do women do that? Talk to dogs like they do babies. And why does it work every damn time?

Bear wags his tail so fast that his backside scoots across the tile in excitement. I’d scold him, but I understand his infatuation with the woman behind me.

“Can I?” She extends her hand, and when I nod, lets him sniff it. “How long have you had him?”

Reaching down, I give his head a pat. “Two years. He was injured in the line of duty and retired. A three-legged dog can’t run as fast.”

He stands to back up, and that’s when I hear Isabel make a soft noise that tells me she feels sorry for him.

“Don’t do that.” Looking down, I spot her kneeling in front of him as he licks her face. “Don’t pity him. He’s different, not broken. He can still run, walk, jump, play, bark—all the things a normal dog can do. He just can’t be a military guard dog anymore. Now he gets to be a lazy motherfucker and chase off the squirrels that love taunting him.”

With a happy whine and a nuzzle against her shoulder, Bear expresses his excitement, his body wobbling slightly. “I bet you would love running around Maximiliano Chateau. It has acres and acres of land for you to explore.”

“Where is that?” That name doesn’t ring a bell.

“I grew up there. After Antonio married Larkin, he made it the royal headquarters.” Rising to her feet, she walks down the narrow hallway and enters the sitting room. “You like to read?”