Chapter Eight
“We still have time to interview the ex-wife,” said Rey. She grabbed Con’s arm, slipping hers through the crook of his elbow. “What was the kiss for?”
“For me. It added to the play that you were my girlfriend, not just a detective.”
“Well, don’t do it again.”
“Not even if you beg?”
“I won’t be begging.”
“How about if I beg?”
She swatted his shoulder but kept her grip on his elbow. She was definitely conflicted about the shifter. “Why did I have to pretend to be your girlfriend anyway?”
“You didn’t.”
“What?” Her mouth dropped open as she stared at the arrogant sexy wolf.
“I have a better question. Why did you go along with the idea?”
She sputtered, “I ... I thought you had a plan.”
He grinned, his amber eyes sparking with mischief. “No. I just wanted to wrap my arm around you and steal a kiss. Soft lips, by the way. A little tongue would be better. I can give you lessons later.”
Rey chuffed. He was unbelievable. She had to be careful.
He was a wolf, but she suspected she might be the one caught in the snare.
“I don’t need lessons.” She stomped off.
Lessons in kissing. Really. He was a good kisser, though.
Over her shoulder, she shouted, “You’re . .. troubled. Deeply troubled.”
“I’ve heard. Where next?” he asked as he caught up.
“The ex is close by.
George’s previous wife lived in a dilapidated apartment complex.
When they pressed her buzzer, the door opened even though it was night and she hadn’t asked who was there.
The hallways smelled like cabbage, and the elevator ride was a bit jerky.
Rey planned to walk down from the sixth floor when they left. Safer than the rickety elevator.
The woman who answered the door was in the process of tightening the sash on her fleecy robe, a cigarette dangling from her lips. “Yeah?”
Rey flipped open her credentials. The ex may have been attractive once, but the ravages of time or lifestyle showed in her wrinkles. “We have some questions for you, ma’am.”
“About?” she asked in a whiskeyed voice.
“George Sandoval.”
“What’s the ass done now? He probably got arrested in that joint he goes to all the time. Did they round up all the perverts?”
“No. He’s dead.” Rey threw the news out there to study her reaction.
Sadness clouded her eyes, but it was whisked away by a deep breath and snappy answer. “Yeah? Figures.”
“Why? May we come in?”
“Sure. Where’s my manners?” She opened the door wide, ushering them in and toward a worn sofa. The woman squeezed Con’s arm as he passed. “Nice. A man with muscles.”
He winked at her.
She swept books and candy wrappers to the floor, clearing a place for them to sit. “So who killed George and why? Lucy, by the way.”
Rey continued to take the lead, reading the ex as a woman George had hurt. Her rough exterior was a defense. “We’re trying to figure out who. He was found behind Blood Sport.”
“That’s the sex club for fake vampires?” Lucy asked.
“Yes. His throat was torn out.” She watched for a reaction again.
“Torn out? You mean by an animal?” She gasped. “Wait a minute. You don’t suspect one of those fakers, do you?”
“Why do you say that?” asked Con.
“Just cause he hung around with them. Fangs and all.”
“Did you run with that crowd when you were married to him?” asked Rey, taking notes on her pad, observing that Lucy was distressed about George’s demise but unwilling to show her emotions.
“No. His outside activities were the reason we divorced. I wouldn’t play the games. The biting. Shit like that. And I wasn’t into costumes.” She fluffed her dyed blonde, teased hair. “So he dumped me.”
Rey glanced up from her lap. “Do you know anyone who’d want to kill him?”
“That place he worked. The kids were kinda rough.”
“They’re too young,” Rey perched at the edge of the couch, not wanting to lean back on the sagging cushions.
“Their parents aren’t. Maybe he pissed somebody off. And I wouldn’t trust anybody at that club. Bunch of crazies.”
Rey made another note about getting the files on George’s clients. “It doesn’t look as if a human killed him. Looks more like a vampire or predatory shifter.” Rey thought Lucy was surprised.
“You mean somebody from Scath, that other realm where the monsters live?”
Con growled, showing his big, sharp canines.
She shrank into her chair for a moment. Then she smiled. “Are you one of them, big boy?” Her hand played with her hair again.
“I am.”
“Not fake?”
“All real.” Con winked.
Lucy smiled, stubbed out her cigarette, and lit another. She took a long drag before she exhaled. “No offense, but some might call you a monster.”
“He’s got thick skin, Lucy. You know of any real monsters George hung around with?” Rey asked.
She tapped the cigarette on the ashtray. “No. I think he’d piss his pants if he met a real monster. He was all about playacting. Ya know? I’ll be honest. I haven’t seen George in years. Have you talked to his brother?”
“Brother?” Rey was stumped. No brother was in his file.
“Half-brother, really. Mother played around a bit before she settled down with George’s father. Older half-brother. My ex looked up to him. The guy seemed okay. A bit standoffish.”
“You have a name and contact information?”
She rose, walked to a messy desk, riffled through junky drawers, and pulled out a slip of paper. “Here it is. I keep everything. It’s his phone number. I think he lives upstate. Maybe Albany.”
Rey glanced at Con. Upstate. Albany.
Interesting.
After leaving Lucy’s apartment, they sat in a coffee shop, Rey sipping an almond milk latte. “We should go to Albany tomorrow. While we’re there, we could stop by and talk to the brother.”
Con drank an Americano, strong and black. “Sounds like a plan.”
She rested an elbow on the table. “I’ll set it up with Albany.”
Rey searched for a number, found it and called, reaching the lead detective on the case. After chatting a bit on the phone, she disconnected.
For some reason, she touched Con’s hand to share the good news.
He didn’t draw away. “They still have the body in the morgue. The detective’s a nice guy, open to sharing ideas.
He’ll meet us tomorrow. He’d considered the vamp or shifter notion but dismissed it when he couldn’t find any proof.
By the way, I was searching through George’s financials and found a credit card entry for a resort in Albany.
” She scrolled through her notes. “You’re gonna love this name. The Orgasmic Orchid Resort.”
“Sounds like a place we should book, but that’s tomorrow. What’ll we do until then?” Con flipped his hand over and gripped her palm gently.
Her damn heart skipped a beat. “I need to reread my notes and go through any information on Albany.”
“Okay, love, but I’m yours all night.” After they rose and bussed their table, he slung his arm over her shoulders. Rey didn’t bother to shake him off. He was a natural flirt. Problem was, she didn’t think he was harmless. She felt as though he was softening her up for the kill.
“Why is everything you say suggestive?” she asked.
He stopped, gripped her waist, and spun her to face him. “Is it? Obviously, I’m not being clear enough. I’m attracted to you. I think you’re curious about me. We’re both adults. Nothing wrong with enjoying ourselves. Curled up in bed. You stroking my skin. Did you know wolves love to be petted?”
Her chest expanded with a deep breath. She chose not to stop him, wanting to see how far he’d go. “No. I didn’t.”
Con glanced down at her. “We do.” He grabbed her hand and placed it on his chest, moving it lower and lower until he reached the waistband of his pants.
“I’d really like you to pet me there. Flesh to flesh.
Your fingers wrapped around me, stroking up and down.
” He leaned over and pressed his lips to hers.
When he backed away, he said, “I’ll even let you put your lush, warm mouth on me.
” He gently brushed a finger across her lips. “Wolves like to be stroked and sucked.”
Holy hell.
The evening was cool, but Rey was hot. Beads of sweat formed on her brow. “And what if I don’t want to pet you?”
He grinned. “Oh, you want to. You can’t wait. You’ve never had a wolf. Be careful, love. Once you have one, you won’t settle for anything less.”
He was right. She did want to. Rey ticked off the pluses. He wasn’t a cop in her division. She’d never see him again after this assignment. So, no messy workplace involvement. And he was a fucking wolf shifter from another realm. How often was she going to get an opportunity like this? Never again.
Decision made. She was tired of ruminating about should-they-shouldn’t-they. Still, she didn’t want to make Con’s conquest too easy. “You’re awfully sure of yourself.”
His hand caressed her cheek. “Some might say, cocky.”
She licked her lips and swallowed hard. He deserved a tease. “And some say I’ve got a big mouth.”
Con’s eyes widened. Good. She’d surprised him. “Damn, female.”
Rey laughed. “What? Am I scaring you off? Some big, bad wolf you are.”