Page 40 of The Huntress

“Idohave some news for you. Duhamel’s received another sizable contribution from Floges. Is the mayor campaigning again?” Mike furrowed his brow in concentration.

If it wasn’t on the sports pages of his newspaper, he wouldn’t read it. The man on the front page was all he’d notice.

“Does it matter if it’s election year or not? He’d never turn down any contributions, no matter how rich he is.” She bounced on her toes, eager to finish this conversation.

“Good point. Now what?”

“I’m going home, although, I’d rather head back,” she said, excitement burned along her veins to nestle between her thighs. She prided herself on being honest with her partner at least. He had her back in all things, as she had his.

“Why?” he asked, his confusion clear.

“I met a man.” She couldn’t stop the smile splitting her cheeks.

“A suckblood,” Barrows said, anger hardening his voice. “Are you frigging insane?”

She winced. Sudden light blinded her, and she moaned, shielding her eyes. Mike shone a flashlight in her face. The white circle moved across her body. She ground her teeth. He was searching for bite marks.

“I’m not a feeder, Mike. Want me to strip so you can do a more thorough examination? Did you bring your gloves? Might as well do a cavity search while you’re at it.”

“Don’t get sassy with me, Callista Devereaux. I made your father a promise, and I mean to keep it.”

“Promise? I’m the one saving your ass, like all the time.” She pitched her voice and blessed him with an exaggerated pout.

“Good. As long as I’m taking the bullets, you ain’t getting hurt.”

“Whatever. I’m not drugged. I’m not on any euphoric high.” She winced at the memory of Gabe feeding from her wrist, and she rubbed the skin there, shivering when her nipples pebbled. “I’ve got a way into the suckblood community, and I’m grabbing this opportunity. It’s the only lead I have. I need to find out why Carter has a sudden aversion to suckbloods and what’s in that damn canister.”

“It’s going to get you killed, Callie! Or worse—converted.”

“There’s been talk of getting suckblood recruits. At least you won’t have to retrain a new partner.” She paused. That was an option, a way to stay on the force.

She tapped her chin as she imagined Metcalfe’s reaction to the suggestion. That wouldn’t be a pleasant conversation.

Sadness and disappointment warred within Callie, as if she teetered on the edge of a cliff. She could have companionship, her sister—kind of—or she could uphold Dad’s legacy.

“There you go with the sass again. Does this suckblood know what you’re really like?” The affection in Mike’s voice drew her back from a good cry and reminded her that no matter what she chose, she had him, Val, and now Gabe.

“He’ll find out.” She flashed him a cheeky grin, one Mike was partial to.

“Who am I kidding? He ain’t gonna see you coming, sweetheart.” He chuckled.

“Yup, I’m gonna make you proud, Barrows.”

“Now what, you just walk into the dark and find him?” The doubt in his voice mirrored her own.

“Not tonight.” She released a shudder. “I plan to head home and smash my face into my pillow.”

Eager to see Gabe, she was tempted to stumble around in the dark, whispering his name across the orange symbol like an imbecile. Her determination concerned her, and it was for this reason she’d decided to distance herself.

Mike’s face fell. “Would you have walked around like a lost fart? Isn’t that a little dangerous? Like I said, I made a promise—”

“Like I would leave her alone, unprotected?” Gabe said, stepping from the shadows.

She smiled, torn between believing he didn’t trust her and melting into a puddle on the ground. His voice was sex, smoky fires, and the promise of breathless nights.

Damn suckbloods. They could seduce even the most hardened of hearts. With a clicking sound from his fingers, a sconce appeared out of nowhere and illuminated them in a yellow fiery glow.

She studied his long legs in his jeans and the black shirt he’d yanked on earlier, straining across his broad shoulders. She lingered on the dark stray curl that rested on his forehead. His gray eyes were in shadow, but she didn’t mind. He was gorgeous—the mere sight of him standing there snatched her breath and kept it.

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