Page 16 of Top Secret Vampire

“Could mean nothing or everything,” he said after writing it all down. “As I said, appliances malfunction all the time.”

“Someone messed with it. I’m sure,” she said.

He nodded. “Birds can be unpredictable. As for the writing . . .”

Her chin lifted. “I told you it was there.”

“I wish you’d called me then rather than tell me later, after you’d wiped it off.”

“Yup.” The worry in her gaze sparked anger inside me. “I’m not making this up. Something’s going on, and I think it’s escalating.”

The detective nodded and tucked his phone into his back pocket. “Never dispose of evidence.” He grunted. “Let me know if anything else unusual happens. Do you want me to call a wrecker for your vehicle?”

“I’ll handle it.” I bit back my growl. This was all connected; I was convinced of it. A stalker? Possible. Whoever was trying to hurt Reese would pay dearly.

The detective left, and I called for someone to come collect her vehicle and take it to a garage where the tires could be replaced.

“I guess I’m flying with you now,” she said, gnawing on her lower lip. “I really need to make sure Tracy isn’t sabotaging my business accounts.”

“I’ll be glad to assist.”

It didn’t take long for the wrecker to arrive and load her vehicle on the back. He took down her information and told her that the garage would be in touch when her SUV was ready to be picked up. We watched as he drove the wrecker out of the lot.

“How will we fly?” she asked. “Are you hiding wings beneath your cape?” She looked up at me with so much sadness it gutted me. She must feel as if she’d been violated today, and that would make her uncertain about everything.

“Wings, Reese?” I said, a teasing grin tugging at my lips, hoping it would cheer her up. “I’m not your average bat boy.”

“You said you couldn’t turn into a bat.” She laughed, the sound brightening the unsettling moment. “If you could, you'd be tiny and unable to lift me, let alone take me to my house.”

“Nothing about me is tiny.”

“So say all the men.” Her eyebrows lifted as she scanned my frame.

My cock kicked into action, though it was going to have to back off. We'd just met. There was no way it would come close to this precious woman soon.

“Even if you were abigbat, I doubt you could fly us to my home.”

“Which is why I'll mistify us.”

She frowned. “You said you can't mistify luggage, so Cancun's out for a vacation destination. I assumed you could only mistify yourself.”

Myself and my true mate, though I wasn't going to mention that. There were many things I could extend to her as my mate, but now was also not the time to bring them up. I wanted this chance to know her better, to help her. Anything personal could come later.

“I can extend my mist to you,” I said.

Her gaze sharpened. “You can? Really?”

“Indeed.”

“Cool.”

I stepped closer and held out my hand. “Shall we?”

“You promise not to let go? I'm worried about getting my bits scattered.”

“Your bits are completely safe with me.” Not necessarilyfromme, but that, also, would have to wait.

“Let’s do it.” Her breath caught as I wrapped my arms around her, drawing her against my chest. She gave me her address, and I locked it in my mind.

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