7. Lana

7

LANA

I take a deep breath, willing the fury bubbling inside me to subside. Detective Lutz's manipulative ploy to use Lazaro as bait ignites my rage. But I can't lose control again like I did last night with Elio. Anger won't get me anywhere with this man. He's waiting for me to explode, to give him a reason to dismiss me as just another hot-headed criminal or overly-emotional woman. I won't give him the satisfaction.

Instead, I lean back in my chair, a playful smirk dancing on my lips. "I see. So in order to get justice, it needs to be tit for tat." I laugh. "Turns out your world isn't so different from mine."

Henry's jaw tightens, his lips pressing into a thin line. Inwardly, I give myself a point as it's clear he doesn't like my insinuation.

"To find your brother, you need to give me more information."

I tilt my head to the side, finally feeling like I have control again. "And yet, you lured me to this dinner under the guise of giving me information. Information you don't have or don't seem to want to give me. Are you afraid I'll beat you to the punch if you share if? Worried a civilian might outdo Chicago's finest?"

Henry's eyes narrow. "Ms. D'Amato, I assure you, my investigative skills are more than up to the task."

I decide not to remind him to call me Lana. "Prove it." I raise an eyebrow. "Or are you all talk and no action?"

He studies me for a moment. Then he sips his martini and rolls his shoulders. The tension in him dissipates. "I don't need to prove anything to you. My record speaks for itself."

"Does it, now?" I purr, leaning forward. "And here I thought you were just another pretty face with a badge."

He chuckles, a low, rich sound that sends an unexpected shiver down my spine. "Careful. Flattery will get you nowhere."

I laugh, genuinely this time. "Oh, please, as if you're immune to a little charm."

His lips quirk up at the corners. "I'm a professional. It takes more than a pretty smile to sway me."

"Is that a challenge, Detective?" I ask, unable to keep the flirtatious note from my voice. How weird is it that I'm up to the challenge? Weird and dangerous.

Henry shakes his head, but I can see he's fighting a grin. "I can't divulge details from an open investigation. There are rules, protocols?—"

"Hmm, so you lied to me to get me to dinner. Why not just ask me out?"

"I didn't lie. I have taken a look at your brother's case and am following a few leads. But I can't tell you the details."

"Excuses, excuses," I tut, wagging a finger at him. "I thought you were a man of action, Lutz. Don't tell me you're scared of bending a few rules."

"It's not about being scared," he counters, his tone growing serious. "It's about integrity. Something I take very seriously in my line of work."

I study him for a moment, searching for any cracks in his armor. But Henry Lutz is as unreadable as ever, his resolve seemingly unshakeable. As I thought. A Boy Scout .

I sigh, realizing I'm at an impasse. As much as I hate to admit it, Detective Lutz might be my best shot at finding Lazaro. The thought of my brother out there, alone and possibly in danger, makes my chest tighten.

"Fine. You win, Detective. I'll play ball. But I need more than vague promises. You have to give me something about Lazaro."

Henry leans back, his expression maddeningly neutral. "I've come across some information that might shed light on his disappearance. But as I said, I can't divulge specifics without compromising an ongoing investigation."

I resist the urge to roll my eyes. "How convenient. So much for holding your side of the deal."

"My side is to investigate your brother's disappearance. I'll tell you what I can, when I can, but these things take time. I need to verify certain details before I can share them."

I study him, searching for any tell that might betray his true intentions. But Henry's poker face is impeccable.

A thought strikes me. Perhaps he's tight-lipped because of our location. "Are you worried about prying ears?" I gesture around the restaurant. "Usually, it's my family fretting over spies in the woodwork."

Henry's lips twitch, almost a smile. "Occupational hazard, I suppose. We both have our secrets to keep."

"Indeed, we do." I decide to let the topic of Lazaro slide for now. Henry's holding his cards close to his chest, and I know pushing too hard will only make him clam up further. Instead, I opt for a different approach.

"You know, Detective," I say, pulling the olive from my drink, "This might be the first time I've ever trusted a cop. Consider yourself special."

He raises an eyebrow, a hint of a smile playing at his lips. "I'm flattered. Or should I be worried?"

I laugh. "Maybe both. They say keep your friends close and your enemies closer. The jury's still out on which category you fall into."

"And here I thought we were having such a lovely evening," Henry quips, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

"Oh, we are. But don't let it go to your head. I still haven't decided whether you're worth the risk."

"Risk? Are you implying I'm dangerous?"

"Aren't you?" I counter, my voice low and teasing. "A handsome detective who only sees the world in black and white? You'd probably put your grandma in jail for jaywalking. Sounds like trouble to me."

He doesn't show any signs of offense. He wears his Boy Scout ways like a badge. "I could say the same about you. A beautiful woman with questionable connections? That's a recipe for disaster if I've ever heard one."

I smile, enjoying the banter again. "My, my, Detective. Are you flirting with me?"

"Just stating facts," he replies smoothly, but the glint in his eye tells me otherwise.

We fall into an easy rhythm after that, trading barbs and witty remarks. The tension from earlier dissipates, replaced by a crackling, charged energy that's both exhilarating and terrifying.

As the evening progresses, I find myself genuinely enjoying Henry's company. He's sharp, quick-witted, and surprisingly funny when he lets his guard down. For a moment, I almost forget who he is and why we're here.

As the waiter clears our plates, a feeling of disappointment settles in my chest. Despite the surprisingly enjoyable evening, I'm no closer to uncovering what Henry knows about Lazaro. The realization leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.

I toy with my empty martini glass, studying Henry's face for any hint of what he's thinking. But his expression remains frustratingly neutral, giving nothing away. It's maddening how easily he slips back into detective mode, all traces of our earlier banter vanishing like smoke.

Determined to salvage something from this encounter, I make a split-second decision.

"Well, Detective, it's getting late. Allow me to drive you home."

Henry's eyebrows shoot up, surprise flashing across his features before he schools them back into neutrality. "That's not necessary. My car is here."

I stand, smoothing out my skirt with deliberate slowness. "Are you afraid to let me know where you live?"

He hesitates, clearly weighing his options. I can almost see the gears turning in his head, trying to decipher my motives.

"Come now, Detective." I move over to him, leaning in close enough that he can smell my perfume. "Where's that bravery you're so famous for? Surely, Chicago's finest isn't scared of little old me?"

Henry's lips twitch, caught between amusement and wariness. "It's not fear. It's caution. A quality I'm sure you can appreciate."

I laugh. "Oh, I appreciate caution, Detective. But sometimes" —I lean in even closer, my breath ghosting over his ear— "a little risk can be… exhilarating. Besides, you said you're worried about prying eyes. How can we collaborate on my brother's case if we can't meet privately?"

His cheeks redden, telling me he thought my use of feminine wiles was about something else. Good. I'm glad to have put him off-kilter.

I press on. "Unless you prefer we conduct our little tête-à-têtes in seedy diners and crowded cafes? I'm sure that won't raise any eyebrows at the precinct."

Henry sighs, running a hand through his hair. "You make a fair point. But you understand my reservations."

"Of course, which is why I'm proposing a compromise. How about a nightcap? We can discuss my brother's disappearance and any… related cases you might be working on." I believe Henry is as interested in me as I am in him, but I think dangling the carrot of justice will be more enticing than seduction. I try not to be offended by that.

I watch as he mulls my proposition over. The air between us crackles with tension. Just how much does Henry want my help? Enough to risk being alone with me?