Page 76 of Dragon Boss (Paranormal Delights 2)

Arden nodded. "Thank you, Bash. Take over stocking for me."

Bash nodded and cast one last glare at the police officer who was dressed in street clothes. The man's dark hair was tinged with gray and there was a heavy frown on his face. The normal smell that clung to people who lived in his city was absent. No, this wasn’t a supernatural or someone from Silvercross City PD. This was someone from the human world.

"Mr. Barnes?"

Gods, Arden hated that made up last name. He'd tried to go as basic as he possibly could, but it still annoyed him. He missed being a Cirillo the way he missed flying.

Arden plastered on his best customer service smile and walked around the bar. The police officer frowned and took a step back. Arden was a good foot taller than him and apparently, the human felt threatened by his stature which only made him want to smile more.

"What can I do for you, Mr..."

"Cooper," he said as he held out a rich, brown hand and frowned. "You're the owner?"

Arden shook and his hand practically engulfed the cops. "Yes, yes I am," he said with a chuckle that was devoid of humor. "What can I help you with? Interested in booking a booth tonight?"

The man grimaced and pulled his hand away. "No, I'm here about an incident that took place several days ago." He glanced around the club before his eyes moved back to Arden's. "A man, Christopher Whitegate, was beaten pretty badly here. He sustained multiple injuries. I was wondering if you knew anything about that?"

Arden's back straightened and his nostrils flared.The man that hurt Micha.Hearing his name made Arden file it away for later, the dragon side of him desperate to finish what he had started. However, he simply glanced at the officer and maintained a straight face.

"Here? At PGD?" he asked.

The man's frown deepened. "Please, don't insult my intelligence. The victim told us that he was here when the injuries occurred and I'm sure someone can confirm that for me if I continue to ask around."

He has nothing yet.Arden realized that the cop was trying to get him to slip up and say something stupid, but this was not the first time he'd been faced with law enforcement. The place he ran, their clients, and his hosts didn't have squeaky clean backgrounds, very few would work for him if they did. So, he was used to the odd cop, parole officer, or attorney. But he never told them a thing. Arden refused to betray his people's confidence.

"Mr. Barnes," the officer snapped. "Or should I say, Mr. Cirillo?"

Arden's stomach twisted.How do you know that name?No one had spoken it out loud to him in all the years that he'd been in the city and yet this man knew. Something wasn't right, but Arden couldn't focus when his mind filed through all the possibilities in front of him.

"What do you want?" Arden asked.

"I want the truth. Mr. Whitegate is counting on me to bring his assaulter to justice and I believe that man is you."

Arden's eyes narrowed. "Do you have any proof of that?"

"Not at the moment."

Shaking his head, Arden shrugged. The man was already getting on his nerves.Bring his assaulter to justice? Did he think he was some kind of superhero?That self-righteous attitude made his blood boil.

"Then I have to ask you to leave," Arden said. "I have customers coming soon."

"Not for long," the officer snapped, his eyes narrowing. "If we find out you haveanythingto do with this crime, you're going to be shut down so fast your head will spin."

Arden crossed his arms over his chest. "Have a good day, Officer Cooper."

"I need a statement," the man said as he yanked a notepad out of his pocket. "Want to give me one here or down at the station?"

"Neither," Arden said without pausing. "I'll speak to my lawyer, discuss my options, and then get back to you."

The man sneered. "You seem prepared. Overly so."

"Better to be prepared than lacking," Arden countered. "You have a good day. Bash? Show Mr. Cooper off of the property. We're closed."

"Yes, boss," Bash said as he rounded the bar and barreled toward the man. "Follow me."

The cop glanced back at him and Arden simply stared as he tried to ignore the rage that continued to build even as the man walked away. He wanted to grab the asshole and snap his neck. What he'd done to that bastard had been warranted. He'd touched Micha, hurt him, but Arden knew the way the world worked. He'd hurt a human. That was the type of offense that could get you killed. No one wanted to listen to supernaturals.

"Arden."

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