Page 6 of Princess
“What isyourname?”
“NadiraOlaru.”
“Do you know the victim?” he asked, taking out a small notebookandpen.
“No, I just heard people yelling and I ran to see if I could help.” He cocked an eyebrow, looking at my club attire. “I’m a nurse. No one looked as if they were going to help him; they just stood around staring. I wanted to at least lend a hand if I could. I only touched his neck to see if there was a pulse,”shesaid.
“Was there?” he asked, continuing to write inhispad.
“No, there wasn’t,” she shookherhead.
“Did you—” a large hand landed on his shoulder, cuttinghimoff.
“I got it from here, Officer Miller,” Cooper said; his brown eyes zeroed in on Nadira. She shifted slightly as her eyes connected with his. Her heart jumped a little as Officer Miller walked away, leaving the two of themalone.
“Nadira, are you okay?” he asked, movingcloser.
“Yes, I am.” She swallowed hard, looking up into his beautiful brown eyes. “I’mfine.”
“Are you sure?” He asked, looking around at the sudden rush of people and cars coming to the scene. Her eyes focused in on the pulse at the base of his neck. Her incisors slowly inched their way out of her gums. She licked her lips as she witnessed his heartbeat speed up. The clean scent of Cooper surrounded her, teasing her, making her want to take a taste.She couldn’t possible want to feed again!She moved a step closer to him as a shiver slid down herspine.
“Are you cold?” He draped an arm around her, leading her across the street away from the chaos. She had to concentrate hard to get her fangs to rescind back intohergums.
“Nadira!” Adrian and Teague could be seen joggingtowardthem.
“Where have you been? We’ve been looking all over the place for you!” Teague said, glaring at Cooper’s arm around her. She pulled to move away but he tightened his arm around her, pulling hercloser.
“Who the fuck is this?” Adrian said, shooting glares at Cooper. Cooper stiffened at the harshness in Adrian’s tone. Both of her brothers waited for her to answer and they were definitely in their protective bigbrotherrole.
“Cooper, these are two of my older brothers, Adrian and Teague. Adrian, Teague, this is Detective Zac Cooper; he’s a detective for the Cleveland PoliceDepartment.”
“Do detectives usually get this cozy with bystanders?” Adrian asked, with his eyebrowcocked.
“Not usually. Nadira and I actually met the other day,” Cooper answered, not backing down from her overbearingbrothers.
“Guys, it’s okay. Cooper was just helping me. I saw the body.” She raised an eyebrow at them, hoping they get the point that it was time to go. Teague caught on and noddedhishead.
“Let’s get you home, sis,” Teague said, grabbing her arm and pulling her away fromCooper.
“I’ll call you later, Nadira.” Cooper said, looking like he wanted to say more. She smiled softly and waved at him, as she wasdraggedaway.
