Page 21 of Blood Bearon
“Don’t mind him,” she said, jerking her head in Gomez’s direction. “If that’s what’s got you all irate, I’m used to it.”
“Used to what?” he bit off.
Were they having the same conversation? Rachel wasn’t entirely sure, but maybe he was just a bit dense. It wouldn’t be the first odd thing about Khove.
“Being treated with a lack of respect, just because I was born with tits that sit high and long legs. Not to mention, the blonde hair doesn’t help.” Her own anger flared brightly for a moment. “I work damn hard for the rest though. But just because I try to stay athletic, and have these oddly blue eyes, it doesn’t mean I’m not a damn good cop.” She finished with a snarl, her fist slamming down on top of the table.
Khove sat back, his face opening in surprise. “Why do your looks have anything to do with your job?”
Rachel wasn’t sure if he was feigning politeness, or generally confused. It was hard to tell, but she was leaning toward the latter, which was…well, confusing to her. How could he not understand, or have heard of such things before?
“It doesn’t,” she agreed forcefully. “I just wishotherswould understand that too,” she said with a tilt of her head in Gomez’s direction.
Khove leaned forward, both angry and not understanding all at once. “They don’t?”
He was serious about this. How could he have never come across this sort of situation before? It was far from new. Did he not have much experience with women, perhaps? That would explain…a lot.
“Of course not,” she said, answering his question. “All Gomez does is look me up and down, or make comments about how well my pants fit. Because he likes my ass,” she clarified with a raised eyebrow.
Khove was rising to his feet, nostrils flaring.
“Hey,” she said, arm flashing out to grab his surprisingly solid forearm. Was there anywhere on him thatwasn’ta slab of corded muscle?
“Yes?” he growled in a deep voice.
“Sit down.”
He didn’t move.
“Now, Khove.”
The huge man reluctantly sat back down, red fabric hissing as the air was squished from it yet again.
“It’s fine,” she reassured him when his attention returned to her. “I can handle it. I’ve gotten it all my life,” she said bitterly. “Everyone only ever sees the blonde hair, large-ish tits and skinny waist. I get it, it’s a standard definition blonde bimbo that men with a tiny IQ and even tinier dicks fantasize about. That’s all they see, not the cop behind it.”
Khove’s eyes burned with something she could only term as a righteous fire, to the point he seemed to be shaking in his seat.
“I appreciate your anger,” she said gently, keeping a hand on his forearm, making sure he didn’t jump up again. “I really do. But beating the piss out of a dick like Gomez won’t help. As fun as it would be to watch.”
Khove nodded stiffly. “What?”
“Huh?” She didn’t understand.
“What will help then?”
She smiled. “Solving the case, Khove. Proving I’m a good, capable cop. That will help. Which you can assist with, since you have information you haven’t shared with me yet. Forget them. Tell me what you know.”
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Khove bit his lip.
He couldn’t tell hereverything. That just wasn’t possible for obvious reasons. What harm could telling her the man’s name bring, however? After all, he had to give her something.
“Khove?” she prompted.
“The man we believe to be responsible. His name is Korred.”
Rachel was busy writing it down in her notebook, asking him for correct spelling. “Last name?”
