Page 106 of Mystique of the Fallen
“Did you?” Grant pressed as his senses told him that Calisto had not held Reginald’s heart but Bradley was willing to lie about it. “We didn’t share our lives fully, did we? You have a family. I’m sure they expect you home at night. But that is really beside the point. When did you learn I was dead?”
“Naturally, I was told.”
Grant blinked at that glaring untruth. “Who informed you?”
“I don’t appreciate these questions.”
“What would you prefer to discuss?”
“Your recollection of your life before you became a zombie.”
“I despise the wordzombie,” Roman muttered.
“I can’t help if your delicate sensibilities are offended by the truth,” Reginald replied with a condescending smile that completely suited the pompous man. “It would be best for you to wait outside in your vehicle until I’m done speaking with Grant. That way we can speak freely and your feelings aren’t hurt.”
Roman glanced at Grant, and merriment danced in his blue eyes. “Would you like me to wait outside?”
“As long as you think your delicate sensibilities can handle it, you can stay at the table with us.”
“While I would prefer him to go,” Reginald stated tightly.
“You’re used to getting what you want, aren’t you, Reginald?” Grant asked.
“This aggressive way of speaking to me is inappropriate.”
“Too bad. Tell me how you found out I was dead.”
Reginald’s face flushed with anger, and he clenched his teeth. His gaze skittered to the phone he had sitting on the table, and he tapped the screen a few times. “Do not give me orders, Grant.”
“Breaking up with you was like an order, wasn’t it?” Grant asked, his belief growing that Reginald had everything to do with the end of his life. “You didn’t appreciate it. Did it make you mad? Did you lose control a little?”
To Grant’s surprise, Reginald’s mouth curled into a smug smile. “Even as a zombie, you make poor choices.”
The door behind Grant opened, and he turned to watch a cop walk in. He was broad-shouldered and had killer blond highlights.
“Grant Calisto, you’re under arrest,” the human stated.
Grant heard Roman chuckle and nearly lost it, but he bit his lip until his humor faded.
“What?” Grant said.
“I have a warrant for your arrest,” the cop repeated. “You are Grant Calisto, aren’t you?”
Although he’d hoped to learn more, Grant wasn’t surprised that his little audience with Reginald was over. There had been no confession, but Grant could readily imagine the haughty Reginald deciding everything for Calisto—including how his life ended. But some corner of Grant’s mind wondered if Reginald had had the balls to do the deed himself or if he’d ordered some sycophant like the cop to do his dirty work for him.
Grant rose to his feet. “Nope, I’m not Calisto. My name is Venerable Knight Grant Valerius. You probably don’t know what a Venerable Knight is, but that’s okay, because you likely don’t care either.”
“I can still arrest you for being in human territory,” the cop insisted, grabbing Grant’s upper arm. It shifted his sleeve enough that nearly his full mating mark was visible.
“Is that a tattoo?” Reginald shrieked.
“No, but tattoos are awesome,” Grant replied. “However, I’m going to have to ask your friend here to get his hand off me.”
“Reg?” the cop asked, his voice ripe with trepidation. A look passed between the two men that had Grant immediately feeling sorry for the uniformed man.
“Oh, is this the new boyfriend, Reg?” Grant asked. “At least you have good taste in men. What I can’t figure out is why anyone would waste their time with you.”
“Arrest him,” Reginald ordered.
