Chapter 21 #2
The first thing I notice when I enter is that Avie is missing from the bed.
Both Roxi and Vaelyn are still fast asleep, cuddled up to each other.
It’s kind of cute, to be honest. I stand there and admire them like some sort of creep until I hear the toilet flush, so I wander into the bathroom, where I find Avie at the vanity washing her hands.
She’s still as naked as the day she was born, and I fucking love it.
Her curves make my mouth water every single time I see them.
“Who called you so early?” she asks, voice still raspy from sleep.
“My boss, Bella. And apparently it’s already almost noon.
She said there’ve been two more bodies found, and I need to go check everything out.
S.I.R.E.N. is threatening to give the case to the D.A.M.N.E.D.
if another body is found, so I have to figure this out before that happens.
Bella did say she’s worried the unsub is escalating because these two scenes are so different. ”
Avie dries her hands and turns to face me. I have to force myself not to look at her impressive tits… or the rest of her body. “What can I do?”
“Help me find whatever is doing this. Two sets of eyes are better than one. Plus, you’re insanely smart, hence why you’re a hunter.”
She rolls her eyes. “I study patterns and track my targets. Being what I am, my sense of smell is nowhere near as enhanced as yours, but I’m able to pick up on different things.
I guess what I’m trying to say is that I use my strengths to my advantage and keep my disadvantages in mind, so I’m aware of what my limits are.
That’s what it takes for me to be a hunter, not my ‘smarts’. ”
I stare at her for a moment in awe. She quirks an eyebrow, and I just huff out a laugh. “You’re incredible. I wish you could see that for yourself.”
She waves me off. “Whatever you say. Let’s wake up the others and let them know what’s going on.”
After getting dressed and barely keeping our hands to ourselves, we wake Vaelyn and Roxi. Both of them are fairly hard to rouse, which makes me laugh. Of course, my harpy wakes up grumpy, but that’s nothing new for her.
Once everyone is upright, I explain the case’s rapid progression over the last few days. Roxi looks like she’s going to vomit as I explain the women’s injuries in detail, but I continue anyway. When I’m done, everyone sits there, staring at me.
“Why are Roxi and I staying here? More eyes means a higher probability of finding this… thing,“ Vaelyn says, irritation seeping into her voice.
Avie answers, “Because Roxi isn’t used to this sort of thing. We need someone to stay here with her, and I feel it should be you because Addie and I both do this for a living.”
I sigh. “I agree with Avie. The more eyes, the better, but when there’s someone inexperienced—sorry, Roxi—it can cause hiccups in the investigation.”
Vaelyn huffs. “You’re right, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it.”
Roxi pulls her knees to her chest and wraps her arms around them.
I move toward her, but she shakes her head and scoots herself against the headboard.
Tears well in her eyes as she says, “Vaelyn is right. The more of you looking this over, the better, and this thing needs to be taken care of. No one has to stay here with me.”
Across the bed, Vaelyn’s brows furrow. Climbing onto the bed, she places a hand on Roxi’s knee.
“I want to stay here with you. They can let us know if they need our help. Why don’t we whip up some breakfast while we wait for them to come back?
I’d say we can order in, but I don’t really have money. ”
I take my credit card out of my wallet and hand it to Vaelyn. “Get whatever you guys want. Don’t worry about how much it costs, either.”
Vaelyn’s brows furrow further. “I-I can’t.”
“Why not?” I ask.
Her nostrils flare wide. It seems I’ve struck a chord. “Because I don’t need you to take care of me.”
Leaning forward, I grip her chin with my free hand.
“I’m not doing this because I have to; I’m doing it because I want to.
I want to take care of you, even though you don’t need it.
I want you here with us because having you in my vicinity makes it feel like a piece of me has returned when I didn’t know it was gone in the first place.
Being with you three has made me feel the best I have in a long time. ”
Vaelyn rolls her eyes, and Roxi snags the credit card from my hand, saying, “You guys go take care of the case. We’ll be here waiting for you.
Although I’m going to order more than just food.
Avyanna, Vaelyn, and I don’t have clothes that fit here because, let’s face it, you’re a hell of a lot taller than we are. ”
I lean forward to kiss Vaelyn before I release her chin.
Then I beckon Roxi toward me. She climbs across the bed eagerly, stopping right in front of me.
My fingers sweep a piece of hair that’s fallen in her line of sight, and I kiss her lightly.
“Please do. Whatever your heart desires. But just know I’d rather watch you all walk around here naked. ”
Avie and I make our way to the most recent scene in silence.
We haven’t discussed what she said about the four of us being soulmates of a sort since before everything happened last night, but I feel a hell of a lot more connected to the others since our escapades.
My clit comes to life at the thought, and I cuss myself out internally because we’re almost to the scene.
As we approach, I notice that this courtyard is nearly identical to the one where Avie ran into me. It feels like it’s been forever since that day already.
S.I.R.E.N. is just finishing up securing the area, while a couple of supes stand guard just outside the entryway, dressed like ordinary police officers to draw less suspicion. Unlike Avie, I’m not able to tell what kind of supes they are, so I approach with caution.
“They’re just shifters. You’re fine. Nothing to worry about from them,” Avie whispers.
I relax a little and continue toward them. “Good morning. I’m here with B.I.T.E. to assess the scene.”
One of the men scoffs. “Didn’t realize your organization was in such desperate need of help that they recruited a hunter. You’re really weaseling your way in there, aren’t you?”
Avyanna steps forward, anger rolling off her in waves. “I am here of my own volition. The D.A.M.N.E.D. do not own me, nor have they ever owned me. I’m a free agent and can do as I please. If you don’t believe me, contact them for yourselves, but I don’t see how this concerns you either way.”
The shifter takes step after step backward to avoid Avyanna, but he runs into a wall as the last words leave her lips. Color drains from his face, and it takes everything in me not to laugh at the man. There’s a reason you don’t piss off my little mimic: she’s dangerous, and everyone knows it.
I walk up behind her and grab her by the waist. “Now, now, Avie. You can’t eat the shifter just because he mouthed off to you.” She instantly relaxes into me, and I flash the shifter a sly grin. “But since we’ve cleared the air, we’ll head into the scene. Have a good day, boys.”