The Devil In Disguise (Bad Things #1)(20)

“Where is the bar owner? Where is Eli Nabb?”

Wesley’s brown stare jerked toward the charred remains of the bar. “Because of all the alcohol, it looks like the place went up fast. The bar ignited, almost like a bomb went—”

“Where. Is. Eli?”

Wesley’s eyes widened. “I-I don’t know.”

“I can help you with that information.”

At that voice—low, drawling, and coming from a few feet behind him—Luke tensed. His nostrils flared as he pulled in all of the scents around him. His shoulders straightened and he turned to see just who was being so very helpful.

A man with blond hair—sun streaked and clipped short—stood a few feet away. The guy was wearing a suit, the boring type favored by government agents. The fellow moved his arm back a bit, and Luke saw the holster just beneath the suit coat.

Interesting.

This guy wasn’t local. He was human.

Luke’s gaze assessed the man. The guy was an inch or so shorter than Luke, but muscled in that I-Work-Out way. His skin was tanned, and his hazel gaze glinted with both intelligence and cunning. Luke knew he’d have to tread carefully with this one.

“I know what happened to Eli.” The man offered his hand to Luke. “I’m Agent Garrick McAdams.”

Luke shook the hand. The guy had a good grip—again, for a human. Strong enough. “Luke Thorne.”

Garrick nodded, as if he’d already suspected Luke’s identity. “Right. I’ve heard that name. You’re pretty famous in this area, aren’t you?” He smiled, a friendly grin. “I think one of the cops even mentioned you’ve got your own private island—he told me it was quite the place to see.”

“It is.” Luke didn’t smile back at him. He didn’t like that this agent already knew so much about him. “Where’s Eli?”

“Oh, your friend was taken to the hospital.” The smile slipped. “I’m afraid he suffered second degree burns on a substantial portion of his body. With all the alcohol in there, the fire spread quickly, too quickly. The building couldn’t be saved but…I happened to be close by. I was able to pull your friend to safety.”

“Well, aren’t you the hero.”

Garrick blinked.

“What hospital?” Luke demanded.

Garrick’s lips parted.

Luke waited.

“I’m afraid I can’t disclose that,” Garrick finally said regretfully. “Your friend is in…protective custody right now.”

“Trust me,” Luke said, voice low, “if Eli needs protecting, I’ve got him covered.”

Garrick looked over at the crowd, then he put his hand on Luke’s shoulder. “Can we talk a moment? Alone?”

“Aren’t we already talking?” He didn’t like this guy. There was something about him…

Garrick steered Luke to the side, moving them a few feet away from the crowd. His voice lowered as he revealed, “The fire wasn’t an accident. It was arson.”

Someone would pay.

“I believe that your friend Eli made contact with a very, very dangerous woman last night.”

Luke didn’t let his expression so much as flicker.

Garrick reached into his coat, flashing that holster again, and then he pulled out a small photo. Even before the guy handed it to Luke, he knew who he was going to see.

Mina.

She stared back at him in that picture, her hair longer as it slid over her shoulders, curling a bit. Her eyes were the same sharp, startling blue, but her skin was a bit darker. A faint smile curved her lips, as if she were on the verge of being happy.

Or as if she’d been smiling for the man who’d taken her picture. An intimate smile.

“She’s beautiful, I know,” Garrick said. “But a gorgeous face can hide a very dark soul.”

“Tell me something I don’t know.” Luke kept staring at the photograph.

“Her name is Mina James, or at least, that’s the last alias she used. She has a talent for charming men.”

Yes, she does.

“You might not believe this,” Garrick continued, his voice earnest, “but we believe it’s almost a form of hypnotism. Mina can get anyone to do what she wants…and she wants some very dangerous things.”

Oh, Mina, you are tricky.

“Her MO is that she picks her prey, usually a male because her hypnosis works better on men…and, of course, because they see a woman like her…and they immediately think of sex.”

His grip was too tight on the photo. He was about to rip it.

“She manipulates the men. Gets them to do whatever she wants. They’ll lie for her. Steal for her. Even kill for her.”

Luke finally glanced up at the agent. “They sound like dumb asses.”

Anger flashed on Garrick’s face, just for an instant. “As I said, she’s very talented at manipulation. Those men are her victims. Just as I believe Eli was her victim.”

He inhaled, pulling in the ash and the smoke that lingered so heavily in the air. “She set the fire?”

“Eli told us that she tried to convince him she needed his car. That he had to give it to her. You see, she knew I was tracking her.”

Were you now…

“When he refused, she commanded him…she gave him the order to set himself on fire. To destroy his own bar.”