Chapter Six #3
“No. Not everyone. I have a history with Quinn, Maverick, Kingston, Roxanne—”
“Stop,” I grumble. “Only a few of them were there tonight. Bash assisted me in the disposal of the job.”
“How is Bash? His baby is going to be spoiled and protected in equal measure.”
“This is ridiculous. I need you to find Charlie for me, please. Another day, we can discuss your stalking tendencies of the whole town.” I sit up and take off my boots.
“Alright.”
“I don’t know much. His hair is—”
“No need. I’m at my computer.” I recognize the sound of the keys. “Slow dance. Nice move.” I resume my position.
“Do the vampires know you have this kind of access?” I ask dryly.
“I am the eye in the sky,” he mutters. “Rylee is stunning.”
“Careful,” I growl.
“Just saying.”
“Just don’t.”
“You are definitely better looking than him.”
“I appreciate the observation.”
“You always had quick hands with a knife. I barely saw you move. Your mate is in awe. I don’t think anyone else noticed,” he mentions lightly.
“That’s good, because that’s what I was worried about.” I wish I could take something for my pounding head, but human medication does not affect shifters. My legs and arms are stiff, and the pain is starting to travel.
“Most people would be,” he quips.
“We’ve established, I’m not most people.”
“So cranky,” he says, and I roll my eyes, wishing he could see. “Go answer the door,” he orders.
“Why?” I sit straight and frown when there is a knock.
“You need food. The room service menu is nice. I ordered you a huge steak.”
I shake my head and stand. “Hold on.”
“Yeah.”
I leave the phone on the bed and move to the door. Whoever delivered it is gone, and a cart is over the threshold. I roll it inside and place it at the end of the mattress, and resume my seat.
“You're always a considerate asshole.” I lift the lid from the plate and take in the wonderful aroma of meat. “Thank you.”
“You need to be healthy for your mate,” he says.
“It will help.” I cut into the steak. “What do you got?” I take a bite and close my eyes.
“Charlie Bensen. Age thirty-six. He works in an office. It looks boring as hell, but it pays decently. He has three speeding tickets, which he paid off. A woman he worked with complained to the boss about him. She claims he had wandering hands. The higher-ups didn’t believe her, dicks. She quit shortly after.”
I open my eyes.
“Fucker,” I mumble, scooping up the potatoes.
“He dates. A lot. No relationship longer than the third date.”
“Probably because he’s a shit person.” I lick the spoon.
“Probably.” He takes a breath, pauses, and then hums.
“What?”
“He may have some skeletons in his closet.”
“The kind that warrants death?” I finish the last bite of steak.
“Perhaps. A woman he dated disappeared. Nothing could tie him to it. I’ll have to dig some more.”
“Do it. I need sleep. Rylee is alone, and it’s fucking with me.” I drink some water, and the sustenance eases the time spent bent over the toilet.
“Don’t worry. Her building is secure. The snake made sure of it.”
“How do you know everything?”
“Skills, my friend.”
“Since you do,” I say, pushing away the cart. “Is there anything I need to know or worry about?”
“Yeah, stay away from Heath’s fangs,” he drawls.
“Why are we friends?”
“You love me and need me.”
“I suppose there are benefits.” I take off my shirt and move to the side of the bed, placing the phone on the side table. “Should I keep our connection a secret?” Shade delves into everyone's lives, yet his secrets are closely guarded.
“Doesn’t matter. It might be common ground with a few of them.
The family is a unit. You need to get on their good side, which, it sounds like, you already did.
Protecting the family is a good start,” he points out and I pull back the covers and take off my pants. “Rylee is special,” he says softly.
“What do you know?”
“Can’t tell you that.”
“Yeah, probably shouldn’t,” I sigh, easing onto the mattress. “Thanks for everything. Let me know what else you find out. I wouldn’t mind making another body evaporate.”
“I’ll look deep.”
“Appreciate it.”
“If you have a chance, ask Sally how the pregnancy is going. She is going to be a rocking Mom. The baby is going to be a hellion.”
“Shit, goodnight, Shade.” I roll and end the call.
My friend spends too much time behind his computer and does not live his life.
He seems happy as shit doing it though. He has more of a social life than I do.
He’s spoken before about some of the names he mentioned.
Roxanne is a rabbit shifter and a friend of his.
I know she has seen him in person and has occasionally spent time with him.
I’m not sure how she’s connected to the family here.
Rylee is in the mix of an interesting dynamic.
My eyes are heavy, and my body needs to heal. I will dream of soon being able to fall asleep next to my mate. I can’t rush her, but I don’t know how long I can take not being close to her. If I have to beg to sleep on the couch, I will. She mentioned my patience, but everyone has their limit.
We will see what happens when I reach mine.