Page 25 of Shifter For Hire (For Hire 2)

Gerard spoke in that deadpan way he had. “I assume he will kill them all, and he ask me to help him.”

Chapter 10

“What?” she screamed. “You can’t do that. You can’t just kill people, Gerard. Maybe you forgot the oath you took as a police officer. If you did, someone needs to remind you!”

“I haven’t taken an oath.”

She blinked. “Please tell me I heard you wrong. The Law Enforcement Oath of Honor?”

“I haven’t taken any oath—to humans or to my people.”

He didn’t know what she meant by the oath all police officers swore at the launch of their career in law enforcement. And if that was so, he must not truly be a cop. How did he reach his position then?

“The same man who hired me to find the hunters also made arrangements for me to be a police officer. He said having access to information only available to the police would be helpful.”

“You’re a criminal. I can’t believe this.” She stood and brushed sand from her legs. “I could call the police, but what good would it do with your connections? Good night. I’m going home.”

She turned to leave him, but he sprang up to grasp her arm. She tried to shake him off, but his grip tightened. Fear crawled along her belly, and his eyes widened as fast as she felt it. He jumped back a full three feet and held up his hands.

“Please, don’t fear me, Lachelle.”

She didn’t understand how he could always feel her fear—or maybe smell it? Chills bumps erupted on her arms, and she rubbed them. “I don’t know you. I should go.”

He ground his teeth and looked up at the sky with such longing, it confounded her. When he gazed back at her, she couldn’t read his expression. “I don’t want… I am connected to you. I can’t explain how just yet, but I am.”

“And you don’t want to be. Is that it?” She heard the self-recrimination in his tone. “You hate humans? Think we’re beneath you?”

“I—”

“No, don’t deny it. I’m not in the mood to hear the excuse or the lie.”

“I didn’t intend to lie.”

“Which is worse.” Despite what she had learned, his assurances amused her. “Everything has gone wrong for me in a matter of a few days. The man I trusted and loved justifies killing shifters, and even if you all aren’t human, I can’t accept just blindly killing you. Wait, do you eat humans?”

Offense radiated from him. “No!”

“What about the others?”

“You’ve seen what I eat. My personal favorite is pizza—and chicken.”

She snorted, but he sounded serious.

“My people are the same. I have watched them, and I haven’t seen any eat humans.”

Curiosity drew her back to his side. She would stay just a little longer so she could learn his plans and more about his people. Then she could formulate a plan to stop him from hurting anyone, even if she had to bring him down herself.

“I’m not going to let you kill humans, Gerard. You might as well know where I stand. I will swear that oath when the time comes, and I’ll use every resource to get in your way. Don’t doubt it for a second.”

He stared at her for a long silent moment. She figured he gathered his thoughts to weigh how much he should threaten her. He might even be plotting to attack her. She tensed, waiting for either an attack or a promise that he would bring down all humankind.

“You don’t want me to hurt them.”

She wasn’t sure if it was a question but decided to answer anyway. “No, of course not. What have I been saying? My dream has always been to defend people and to keep them safe. I once dreamed of being a lawyer, but I figured out real quick I’m not the one for all that mess. Police work is my calling.”

“Then…”

He hitched his shoulders. She recalled what he had looked like with his wings out and rejected a desire to touch the area near his shoulder blades.

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