Page 12 of Marked

I watch as Ruby pulls her customer to the last booth, takes off her heels, and proceeds to give him a lap dance. About fifteen minutes pass before Ruby steps away and speaks to her customer. He shakes his head and walks away. With a shrug, she sits down on the chair and begins to put her heels on before the screen then cuts to black. When it comes back on, I see myself walking towards the booth, Synn trailing behind me. After I watch Synn crash into me, I replay the video, paying attention to the background.

Nothing catches my eye outside of the cut on the footage.

I lean back in my chair and sigh. “Well, it could be a technical issue. Any other cameras cut out?”

“No.” He responds, eyes staring intently into mine.

I resist the urge to look away. “Was it tampered with?”

“The manager on duty said that the footage could have only been tampered with through the office and he didn’t touch it. There’s a camera outside the office door, as well as one inside. I watched it to confirm. He was doing paperwork during the cut.” He let out a soft sigh. “I suppose it’s possible it’s all some elaborate scheme, but I don’t think so.”

“I don’t either. It’s obviously preternatural interference, hence why we were called in after the initial responders got there.”

“I agree,” he replies, leaning forward to rest his forearms on my desk. “But, what?”

“Something capable of decapitating a human and tearing through their rib cage to rip out the heart.” I muse.

“It’s not a wereanimal,” he states.

I lift a brow at him. “You seem so sure.” I know it isn’t due to my conversation with Cerberus, but how does he know?

He leans back in his chair and glances out the window to his right. “How transparent do you want to be with each other?”

The hairs on my neck bristle in warning. “We’re partners, so the correct answer would be complete transparency.”

“But,” he prompts.

“But I don’t trust you. We just met so I’m not about to open my heart and spill all my secrets.”

He gives a single nod and thrums his fingers on his knee. “Then perhaps we should get to know each other. We can start slow and go from there.”

I cross my arms over my chest. “We don’t know how long this case is going to take so what’s the point? This is temporary, isn’t it? You may be assigned a different partner later or something.”

Jack lifts a brow. “Are you saying you’d feel more comfortable if I remained your partner?”

I shake my head, but I won’t argue that a daily view of him would be nice. The man is gorgeous. “Not really. I keep my circle of friends small. The less personal connections, the better.”

His black brow stays up, his expression turning almost sardonic. “Wouldn’t you prefer to have one partner who you knew and trusted?”

“I don’t really trust anyone.”

“What about Meyers?” He asks with a smirk.

Defensiveness has me tilting my chin up defiantly. “Taylor doesn’t count. She was unexpected.”

“Not even your significant other?” He hedges.

It’s my turn to lift a brow at him. “Is that your sly way of asking me if I have a boyfriend?”

Another smirk tilts up those fine lips of his. “Perhaps.”

Again, his honesty surprises me. Besides Taylor, I’m not used to someone being so frank with me. “I’m not dating anyone. I have someone who I see on occasion, but I don’t have a boyfriend.” What was the point in even answering that? It’s not like I’m looking to date.

“Interesting,” he muses. Is it my imagination, or does he seem somewhat satisfied? “How about I match whatever secret you give me?”

I study him carefully through narrowed eyes. “How do I know you won’t lie to me?”

“How do I know you won’t do the same?”

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