Page 8 of Love Fire

Images of her vivid green eyes and shocking red hair come to mind. She said she was a recovered addict- which for argument's sake I'll choose to believe, for now- but what would she be doing taking money from the lab technician? I can’t get the image of their shady exchange out of my head.

I knew she was too polished to be in a place like that. Too careful and unassuming. I glance back at the photos of my latest murder cases. Three dragon shifters have been snatched, killed, and skinned. Their bodies were found tossed off the side of the highway like lame carcasses. Not a scale to be found on any of the bodies.

My teeth scrape against each other as my jaw muscles stiffen with rage. I know exactly what those scales are being used for, what innocent lives are being butchered for. My dragon blazes, the need for justice chaining me to this path. I will have answers.

I know Erin has something to do with all this.

And I’m going to find out what.

I close my laptop and chuck it into my bag. If I hurry I’ll still have time to make it to the center before the meeting starts. I give my co-workers a wave as I rush out of headquarters. My heart is thundering in my chest as I cross the parking lot and get into my car. I shift through all the possible options I have.

Discretion will be necessary; luckily for me, visiting Alessandro will be cover enough to keep me in proximity to her. Part of me feels like shit using him, but what other choice do I have. Erin isn’t what she seems and now that she's piqued my curiosity, I can’t let her slip away. I’ll have to be discreet though, at least until I have strong enough evidence to approach her.

I pull up to the rehab center a few minutes later and head to the front for my visitor pass. As I enter the familiar meeting room I see Erin up front. Her long red hair spills over her shoulders blocking her face from view and it looks like she's reading something on her phone. I find Alessandro and squeeze his shoulder as I take the seat beside him.

“Not checking up on me again are you?” he jokes.

“Of course not, I’m just here for support,” I reply.

He nuggets my shoulder with his. “You big softy.”

I roll my eyes but before I could reply Erin begins to speak. She goes into her introductions and begins the discussion for the night. She is confident and sure when she speaks, addressing the crowd in an open and welcoming manner. Her face is open, with no hint of dishonesty in her stance.

She is telling the truth. For now.

She is also calmer than last time. She takes her time when speaking, allowing everyone to share. Her voice is like cashmere running across my skin. It calls my attention and I have to force myself to remember why I’m here. When the meeting is about to end, I make my way to the refreshment table so that I could watch her from a better vantage point.

This time she doesn't run out as soon as it ends. She lingers for a few minutes speaking to people as they approach her, giving words of encouragement and congratulation. I narrow my eyes, searching for any tell that the warmth I see is a farce. There was none. Which leaves me even more confused.

Just when I think this day is about to be a dead end, Erin slips out. I wait a few seconds before following. I take the quick route to the kitchen, determined to see everything this time. I burst through the kitchen doors to find an empty room. Everything is spotless, I sniff the air to confirm that no one has been in the room. Finding only the fingerling smells of disinfectant and grease, I head to the pharmacy instead. The man she met last time was a technician so that’s my best bet.

I pick up my pace, enough to move swiftly through the halls without turning into an outright jog. I can't afford to lose any more time. Erin could already be on her way home.

The pharmacy door is locked when I arrive, and a closed sign hangs on the window. Shit. Where the hell did she go?

I double back trying not to think about what the disaster today is turning out to be. How could Erin have slipped past me? I’m walking past the glass door leading to the inpatient rooms when I smell a familiar softly spiced scent.

Erin.

I slowed my pace, creeping by the frame so that I could remain hidden. Erin and the same technician stand in front of each other. Hushed words are exchanged. Then Erin reaches into her pocket and pulls out a small bag, the powder inside shines with an unmistakable luminescence, and she slips it into the tech's hand as he replaces it with cash.

Now I’ve got you.

9

ERIN

Isee the guy just before my hand leaves the technicians, and I know I won’t be able to talk my way out of this one. So I do the one thing that I think might save me.

“Run!”

Remy and I sprint in separate directions. My only chance is that Alessandro’s guest decides to chase Remy and not me. But I’m never that lucky.

Of course, he had to catch me in the act. I should’ve known he’d follow me again when I left the meeting. I’m smarter than this. This should’ve never happened.

Now, I’m running for my life. Any doubt that this guy was part of Draconis Fire is gone now. If I get caught, I’m done for.

I burst out of the rehab center into the parking lot. I can hear this guy’s heavy footsteps behind me. I’m his target. I need to think fast.

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