Page 11 of Heart and Soul
“Vampires from all over this region. You guys get around. You know each other.”
“Correct.”
I bite my lip, desperate to get a better answer out of him. “A black chin, that’s not something you forget. You would have noticed.”
He gives me a concerned look. “Are you sure you won’t sit with me?”
“No, that’s nice of you. Really. But I should go. And you probably want to get in there, see Nora.”
“I do,” he admits. “Tonight was…a close call.”
I back away. “Yeah, no, I’m sorry. Go ahead.”
He doesn’t move a muscle. Still contemplating me with solemn eyes. “It won’t go away, you know. In fact, it only gets worse. No matter how strong or how fast or how clever, we are none of us impervious. If Henry Stadther can fall, then how much easier a siren, or, easier still, a human? How foolish, then, to attach ourselves to such fleeting beings? Fools, all of us.” His eyes twinkle, and one side of his lips curves up in a sad smile. “But what a beautiful risk.”
His words pierce me with more bite than the cold. I can hardly form words. “Isn’t it?” What a surreal shock, to be standing here in the cold dawn, bonding with my vampire boss over a feeling of romantic existential dread. It occurs to me that the haunted yet hopeful look in Reed’s eyes reminds me so much of Brenner. Of all Nora’s men, I think I’ve found a favorite.
A loud car horn makes me jump. In the intense discussion with Reed, I hadn’t noticed the Cadillac leaving the compound, driving straight through the imaginary gate. Rook Winters—Nora’s wolf—is behind the wheel. I haven’t seen him since he made an appearance with the Huron River pack at my birthday party. Stopping the car, rolling his window down, he speaks to Reed without acknowledging me. “I’m making a food run for everybody. Add something to the order for you?”
“Not necessary. Thank you.”
“I told them you’d say that.” Rook shifts in his seat and clears his throat. After stealing a self-conscious glance at me, he says to Reed, “She’ll be glad you’re home, Parker.”
Reed plays with the slightest hint of a smile. “I won’t delay another second.” He gives me a parting nod. “Agent Davies.”
“Deputy Director.”
As soon as he drives away, I whirl on Rook with a sickly-sweet voice. “Oh, she’ll be soooo glad you’re home. She simply can’t bear anothersecondout of your arms. Bunch of limpdicks, you’re whipped!” As the words fly out of my mouth, I feel a flash of heat in my face. I know Rook, but not well enough to joke around like this. We’ve definitely never been alone together. His dominance is overpowering. But that’s not why I’m nervous.
He doesn’t laugh at my teasing. “I had a good talk with Nolan the other day.”
That’swhy I’m nervous. How did I know he’d mention this? My defenses go up. “Oh? Nolan who?”
“That’s not funny, Shayne.”
I know that. It’s not fair to Nolan, either. His behavior—his persistence in making a claim on me—would have been nothing but endearing to other shifters. It’s not his fault I’m so independent. “Oh, don’t give me that look,” I say. “Nolan’s a top dog. He can get any woman in the county.”
Fuming, Rook throws the car in park and snaps, “You’re even dumber than I thought, do you know that?”
I literally flinch at his words. Rook and Idefinitelydon’t know each other well enough for that kind of abuse. Part of me wants to bite his head off, but the other part—the part that is cowed by his dominance—wants to run with my tail between my legs. “Excuse me?”
“Nolan’s not the one I’m worried about. Do you even know—are you even the tiniest bit aware—that he’s been in love with Darby Monson since he was a teenager?”
“Who? Darby…who the hell’s Darby Monson?”
“Uh-huh, that’s what I thought. That’s exactly…” Shaking his head, he squeezes the wheel with white knuckles. “This is not my thing, Shayne. I shouldnothave to be telling you this. I’m not even pack anymore. It’s out of line in every way. But you’ve burned your bridges, haven’t you? Which means if I don’t do it, nobody else will.”
Okay, leaning more toward biting the head off now. Of all Nora’s men, I’ve definitely found the one I likeleast. “Spare me the lecture, Rook. You’re right about one thing: you aren’t pack. You haven’t got a damn thing over me. Am I really getting chewed out for leaving my pack by the guy wholeft his pack?”
“I don’t give a shit about you ditching your pack. Like I can talk. But believe it or not, I do care a little something about seeing you make itworthsomething. Do you know how hard it is to find the thing we’ve found?” He runs a hand through his hair with a sigh, the storm blowing over as quickly as it came on. “Why you gotta make me say this shit? Maybe you’re right. I’ve gone soft.”
My head is spinning. I don’t dare say a word, for fear of setting him off again.
“Look. You found it,” he says calmly.
“I found what, Rook?” I know exactly whatitis, but I want to hear him say it. “What’s thisthingyou’re talking about?”
He grinds his teeth. “Love, okay?”
