I didn’t have to wait long for Enzo to pick up the phone, which was good because I could hear the welcome party getting started downstairs. We were celebrating (albeit, a little late) our two newest detectives becoming part of the team. I’d need to join them soon.

“Ciao, Zane, how are you?” Enzo’s Italian accent was already getting my thoughts revved up and headed in a direction they shouldn’t.

“I’m doing well, you?”

“Better now that I can hear your voice.” The flirty line drew a warmth to my cheeks that felt foreign to me. “You have news about Ricardo?”

“Yes, yes,” I said, looking at my computer screen and trying to hone back in on the task at hand. “I dug around and reached out to a few contacts. Two of them led me to a man named Herberto Torres, a defect of the Blood Scarabs. They have the idea that he might talk and go against the leader, who we’re suspecting is the man Luanne was having an affair with. If I can get Herberto to testify or put in a statement, preferable not anonymously, then you can build an even stronger case for Ricardo’s innocence.”

“That’s incredible!” Enzo exclaimed. I liked hearing him sound this happy. He was normally an upbeat guy, but I could hear the excitement in his voice. “You’re a magician, Zane. A fucking magician. So when are you going to talk to this Herberto guy?”

“I’ve got a meeting set up with him in three weeks. He’s out of the country right now but should be back for a short window of time.”

“Are you sure you aren’t being set up?”

I shrugged and looked out the window. It was the afternoon, so the sun hung high in the air, beating down on the concrete jungle as if it were trying desperately to get us warm again. This most recent cold front was already wearing out its welcome.

“My contacts are trustworthy, so I’m placing my trust with them. They can’t control what Herberto does, but I’m sure that he’s a defect.”

“Isn’t it impossible to leave a gang? Don’t they hunt you down and sell your parts on eBay or something?”

“Yes, there’s actually a website specifically for gangsters. It’s called gBay.”

“Sounds like their G-spot.”

“Basically,” I said, chuckling while Enzo laughed. I couldn’t ever get tired of hearing Enzo laugh. “You’re right, though. Most gangs do have ‘lifetime memberships’ so to speak. Although, I have a feeling it’s harder to cancel a gym membership than it is getting out of the Bloods or the Crypts.”

“They make those things impossible to get out of! The last gym membership I had to cancel, they had me send a postcard by raven while I tap-danced dressed up in a bear costume. And it could only happen during a full-blood blue moon.”

“Well… that just sounds like a Friday night to me.”

Enzo found that hilarious. “Why aren’t I ever invited to your Friday-night bear parties?”

“No, no. The bear parties are on Saturdays. Fridays we just tap-dance.”

“Got it. So Saturdays are when everyone gets down and dirty with big hairy guys?”

“Correct.”

“I’ll be there.”

“Good,” I said.

“Bene,” Enzo said. “Have you been practicing your Italian?”

“My tutor’s been too busy for any lessons.” I glanced at the door, making sure it was closed all the way. The last thing I wanted was for someone to be standing outside a cracked door and hearing me flirting.

“So you haven’t done any self-study, eh?” Enzo’s tone was shifting. I could hear it in the way his accent became more pronounced. I noticed it was a tell of his. Happened whenever he was horny.

“I’m waiting for the professional to come around,” I said, shifting in my chair. I shook a leg under the table, attempting to redirect blood flow away from my crotch.

“This weekend, then. I think you’re due for a lesson.”

“I agree.” I squeezed my thighs together, my dick already at half-mast. “Seriously, though, you’ve had a busy week. Have things calmed down?” I was trying to stop myself from popping a full-on erection, so I had to steer the conversation back on track.

“Work’s been crazy. Ricardo’s case is my priority, but there are so many other fires to put out. All hands are on deck right now. I think I’ve slept a total of seven hours over the past four days.”

“Shit, sorry,” I said, finding that my dick wasn’t responding to any distractions. I dropped a hand on my lap and squeezed. “You deserve some relaxation time. Maybe a good full-body massage.”

Fuck. Now I’m the one throwing around innuendos.

“Well, maybe you can pay for your next Italian lesson with an oiled-up massage.”

“Sounds like a fair deal.” My hand started rubbing over my slacks. “Free Saturday night?”

“For you, I’ll make time.” I could hear the smile in Enzo’s voice. “I already can’t wait.”

“Neither can I.” I looked down at the bulge in my hands, my gray slacks looking strained.

“So,” Enzo started, his tone shifting slightly. “Back to business for a second. What do you think? Think the gang leader did it?”

I shrugged, looking out the window again. “It’s a hard call.”

There was a moment of silence from the other line. “Hard call, huh?”

“Yeah,” I said, narrowing my eyes. I wasn’t sure if he could figure out the smirk in my voice or not. “Very hard.”

“You know what else is hard now, right?” He asked the question knowing damn well I could guess the answer. “It’s a handful of a situation.”

“I think I’ve got an idea,” I responded, my tone dropping a note. “I’ve actually gotten a hard situation in my hands, too.”

“Really?” Enzo asked. “I think this might be a good time to FaceTime. You know. Just so I can help out with your hard call.”

“And I’ll help out with yours,” I said, stroking myself over my slacks.

Just hearing Enzo take on that sexy, gravelly, Italian stallion–type voice made my dick rock solid. I spread my legs open underneath my desk, giving myself room to grow in my pants. My eyes shut and my breath drew in for a sharp moment.

My cell phone rang from the corner of my desk. Enzo’s name was on the screen, requesting a FaceTime connection. I smiled as I realized the bastard had already hung up the phone call we were on and redialed me from his cell. I shook my head, still smiling as I answered his FaceTime. In seconds, a handsome and slightly pink Enzo was smiling back at me. He looked like he hadn’t been sleeping recently, and normally that would be an insult, but Enzo somehow made extreme exhaustion and sleep deprivation look sexy. His dark hair was messed up with a lock falling down onto his forehead, and his five-o’clock shadow was more like a twelve-o’clock beard. It was really fucking hot. I could picture him kissing his way down my chest, his beard scratching my skin, his soft lips against me.

“You’re looking good,” Enzo said, holding the phone at a high angle so that I could see everything above his waist. One of his hands was conspicuously out of the shot.

“And you’re looking bellissimo,” I said, stumbling on my Italian, but trying.

Enzo’s eyebrows shot up. “Wow, maybe someone has been practicing on their own. Maybe you’re ready for a pop quiz.”

“Go ahead,” I said, glancing at my frame on the screen for a second. I was holding the phone straight in front of my face so Enzo couldn’t see the massive erection I was sporting. I had to admit, the afternoon sunlight was working real well with my face on the screen.

“Okay,” Enzo said, the arm not holding his phone moving up and down. “Let’s start with some easy words.”

I had a feeling I was going to ace this quiz.