Chapter 1 #3
My leg bounced faster. We’d been onto something big—I’d felt it in my bones.
The thread I’d been picking at snapped, and I wrapped it around my finger until the tip turned purple.
My mind raced with all the possibilities, all the things that could have happened to Dev.
What if whoever wrote that letter had been watching him this whole time?
What if it had been a trap? What if they’d waited until he thought the case was cold before making their move?
The pressure inside me built until I could barely breathe.
Dev might be a dick who’d replaced me with a hotter version of myself, but he didn’t deserve to disappear.
And underneath all my worry about him was this horrible guilt that maybe, if I’d been a better boyfriend, if I hadn’t pushed him away, he wouldn’t have been doing this alone.
Flynn cleared his throat. “That’s not your fault, Rory.”
I shot Flynn my most winning smile. Not for the first time, I found myself glad that Seb had found him and his neck rather appealing.
But inside, the memories crashed over me like a tide I couldn’t hold back. Dev standing in his favourite coffee shop, the one where we’d had our first proper date, telling me it was over. Just like that. No warning, no discussion, no chance to fix whatever I’d done wrong.
I’d been looking at flat listings on my phone that morning, excited to show him the two--bedroom in Clapham with the tiny balcony. I’d already imagined Freddy sprawling across the sofa, and Dev’s journalism awards on the mantelpiece next to my collection of vintage band posters.
The shock had hit me like a punch to the gut, followed immediately by this desperate, clawing need to make him stay. I’d begged, actually begged, right there in front of everyone, asking what I could change, what I could do better. The humiliation still burned.
And when begging didn’t work, when he just kept shaking his head with that pitying look in his eyes, I’d lashed out.
Said things designed to hurt him as much as he was hurting me.
Told him he was pretending to be a serious journalist when all he did was write fluff pieces about fashion trends and call them “cultural commentary on late-stage capitalism.” Told him I didn’t really see a future with him anyway. Called him shallow and vain and—
God, I’d been such a fucking mess. Such a child. No wonder he’d blocked me on everything afterwards.
“Also, it’s not just me who thinks he’s missing,” I added, desperate to steer the conversation back towards safer territory. “Before I rang you, I called Dev’s alpha, and she hasn’t heard from him for over a week either. None of them have. They’re super worried.”
Seb’s fingers drummed against his thigh.
“There’s quite a lot happening at the moment.
Marcus Vale’s clan is still determined to make my eternal existence a living hell.
Only yesterday, they left a drained body in the middle of Brixton park, just to send a message.
To be honest, even without your phone call, Rory, we were going to have to cut our Ireland trip short. ”
My stomach dropped. This was it. He was going to tell me to forget about it.
“However.” Seb’s eyes fixed on me. “We will investigate. Of course we’ll investigate. Detective Maxwell will assist you, as he has the resources we need, and Killigrew Street is spread thin at present.”
My mouth fell open. “But—”
“And,” Seb continued, his voice taking on that stern edge that meant shut up and listen, “I know that as a professional, you’ll be able to cooperate with him and work effectively as a team.”
The word “professional” hung in the air like a threat. Maxwell’s lips twitched, and I wanted to throw something at his stupidly handsome face.
“Why can’t—”
“Rory!” Seb’s voice cracked like a whip.
“Okay! Okay! Perfect!” I snapped. Oops. “I mean, thank you. Genuinely.”
“I’m sure Maxwell wants to go home for the evening now, but the pair of you can arrange something for tomorrow.”
Seb nodded dismissively, and everyone started gathering their things. Kit shoved past me with a grunt that probably meant “we’ll talk later,” while Priya squeezed my shoulder. Felix disappeared back into his lair.
Freddy scampered down my leg and across the floor, pausing only to hiss at Maxwell’s shoes before darting off toward the kitchen. Probably to raid whatever food had been left unattended.
My attention snagged on Seb and Flynn. The way Seb’s whole demeanour softened as Flynn stepped closer, like ice melting in spring.
Flynn’s fingers traced along Seb’s jaw, and he nuzzled into his hand, his eyes fluttering closed for just a moment.
Flynn murmured something against his cheek and Seb laughed softly, pressing a kiss to his temple.
I could pretend it made me want to retch, but my chest ached watching them.
Would anyone ever look at me like that? Like I was their entire world?
Dev certainly hadn’t. It had been great at first, but somehow, I’d always felt like I wasn’t quite enough, wasn’t quite what he wanted.
And then he found someone who looked exactly like me but…
way better. God, what was wrong with me?
Here I was, worried Dev might be dead, and I was still obsessing over how he’d—
A pointed cough cut through my spiral. Maxwell stood there, arms crossed, towering above me. “Tomorrow morning,” he said. “Seven a.m. sharp. Text me your address. Don’t be late.”
I opened my mouth to argue about the ungodly hour, but he was already striding away, leaving nothing but the scent of his stupid lemongrass cologne and the thud of his shoes against the floor.
“Oi.”
I turned to find Priya behind me.
“You alright?”
“Am I alright? My ex-boyfriend’s probably lying dead in a ditch somewhere, and I’ve been paired with the same dickhead who locked me and him up in cells during a full moon. So I’m absolutely fantastic, thanks for asking.”
Priya didn’t look remotely impressed. She lightly punched my arm. “Don’t attack me over it, you twat.”
My shoulders slumped. “Sorry. I just—” I ran my hands through my hair. “I hate this. All of it.”
“Look.” She grabbed my wrist, her fingers warm against my skin. “Maxwell is highly competent. He’s good at his job. If you want to find Dev quickly, just keep your mouth shut and try not to insult him every five seconds.”
I rolled my eyes so hard they nearly got stuck in the back of my head.
“Rory.” The tone in her voice made me look at her. “I mean it. This isn’t about you and Maxwell’s… whatever that is between you two. This is about finding Dev.”
The fight drained out of me. She was right. Of course she was right. Priya was always right, which was deeply annoying.
“Fine.” I sighed dramatically. “I’ll try to play nice with Detective Dickface.”
“Rory!”
“That was the last one, I swear.” I held up my hands in surrender. “Starting now, I’ll be a perfect angel.”
She snorted. “I’ll believe that when I see it. Text me tomorrow?”
“Course.” I pulled her into a quick hug, letting her familiar lavender scent soothe me. “Thanks for always having my back.”
She kissed my cheek.
“And if I accidentally shift and pee on his fancy car, it’s just marking my territory. That’s basically police work, right? Securing the perimeter?”
Priya let out an almighty groan. “Go home!” she snapped, turning on her heel and storming towards the stairs.
Well, then. Seemed like pissing on Maxwell’s car was off the table.
For now.