Page 51 of An Uncertain Claim

Tanner cocked his head and waited for me to elaborate.

“B chose his victims when they were alive. Something they were doing or experiencing hit a trigger for his need to punish whoever they represent.”

“Okay, I can see how that makes sense, but how do you know where to start? Combing through every detail of their lives would take more time than we have if he sticks to his schedule. Although, with the death of Melinda, I’m not sure what to expect anymore.” He gave me a lopsided grin. “No offense, but you really threw a wrench in all of this. Tempting serial killers and powerful Alphas with your brilliant, sexy badassness.” He tsked and shook his head sadly. “You should try not to be so awesome, you know?”

“I’m terribly sorry, Tanner,” I gasped with mock horror. “Whatever can I do to make it up to you?”

A devilish smile slid across his face, and I rolled my eyes, knowing whatever he said next would most likely be dirty.

“Nothing that I’d ever live to experience,” he replied with a laugh. “I’d love to give you details, but my Alpha would gut me just for thinking about it.”

“If that were true, you’d already be dead,” Nathan drawled from the doorway where he was leaning against the door jamb with his arms and ankles crossed. I had no idea how long he’d been there, so I couldn’t help snickering. Although it still kind of irritated me that this giant could be so stealthy. “I don’t blame you for your thoughts, she could tempt the Pope.”

“Sheis right here,” I muttered, but they ignored me.

“But she is ‘look, don’t touch.’ You break that rule, I break you.”

“Understood,” Tanner said.

“Do I get a say in this?” I asked, curious about their response.

“No.”

“No.”

They spoke at the same time, then returned to their conversation as if I wasn’t there. I mentally shrugged and turned to my computer to work. The ME files were waiting in my email, and I began to read each one carefully, cataloguing the information into boxes to be sorted later.

“Peyton.”

I nearly jumped out of my chair when Nathan spoke directly into my ear. “What?” I snapped, annoyed at being snuck up on.

Nathan’s mouth curved and humor danced in his eyes. “I said your name four times, baby.”

“Oh?” Oops. “I guess I got sucked into my work.” I looked around, seeing the now empty office, other than Nathan and me. “Where did Tanner go? I wasn’t done picking his brain.”

“There was an accident in one of the training rooms, he went to deal with it.” Nathan set a container on the desk in front of me. “But you can pick mine while you eat lunch.”

“Okay,” I agreed. I was starving and he had the same knowledge as, if not more than, Tanner when it came to this case. He’d brought me smoked salmon with grits, fresh strawberries, and lima beans. Surprised at the unusual meal, I glanced at him with a curious tilt to my head.

“I told you,” he said with a laugh. “I’m observant. I noticed the things you enjoyed over others when I’ve cooked for you.”

“How do you know these aren’t pregnancy cravings?”

Nathan blinked innocently. “I told you, I’m also perceptive.”

I rolled my eyes. “You hacked into my life to look for clues, didn’t you?”

“Maybe,” he admitted with a wink.

“You don’t think I’m weird?”

“Oh, I definitely think you’re weird.”

I made a face at him, and he smirked. “I also think you’re beautiful, smart, independent, and sexy as fuck. Weird, yes, but you could never be described as boring.”

“Well, as long as we’re clear about those things,” I joked, enjoying the smile that curled his lips. He was gorgeous when he smiled and a little part of me was sad for other people who didn’t get to experience it. The bigger part of me was selfish and loved that I was the only one who drew out those reactions.

We dug into our food, and I asked him questions, but less than fifteen minutes later he received a call about an emergency in one of the labs. He apologized and gave me a kiss before leaving to attend to the situation. He dropped by a couple of hours later, bringing me a snack. However, he was only there ten minutes before he received another call about an issue somewhere else. I waved him off and told him to go do what he needed to. I had plenty to keep me busy.

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