Page 10 of The Hive Queen

“Sure it’s not.” I try to shove down the irritation. So much for my dream of being a good guy. Looks like I’m still not welcome in the white knight club. “Don’t blame me for what happens when I’m left alone.”

“Pen…” he sighs but doesn’t invite me to stay longer.

“See you later, Sharpe.” Pulling off my gloves, I toss them in the trash bin near the tech van before heading out.

As soon as I climb over the barrier, people peel away from the crowd to rush toward me, shouting questions. I pull the lighter from my pocket and flick it open, letting the fire feed my power.

With a small push, I create a wall of heat around myself that confuses the humans enough that they stop and look around for the source of the sudden blast of heat.

I lengthen my stride, outpacing them without running away.

My irritation fuels the fire inside me, fanning the flames. I know Sharpe is in a tough spot with his superiors, but it doesn’t stop the feeling of being used.

As I near my car, my steps slow.

Captain Bailey leans against my sedan, blocking the driver’s door. “Ms. Cay, I was hoping to have a word with you.”

“I don’t appreciate ambushes.” My eyes sweep the parking garage for more of his people, but he appears to be alone. “I didn’t realize we have anything to say to each other.”

“Don’t be like that.” He straightens and steps toward me. “We used to have a working relationship.”

My gaze cuts back to him. “I don’t recall having any type of relationship with you.”

“No, of course not.” He gives me a gamine smile that has probably moved more than one woman to soften toward him.

He’s an attractive man who only grew more handsome as he aged. When he’s not disparaging Sharpe, he comes off as charming. I’m sure that helped as he climbed the ladder to his current position.

“Not officially, right?” He touches the side of his nose. “We weren’t acknowledging each other back then.”

He’s referring to the anonymous cases we took back before the Resurgence. Back then, when monsters terrorized humans, the Clearhelm Police Department would slip us a request that included a big payment to make the monsters go away, and we were with creating a story palatable for the media that left Bailey’s department looking good.

We always framed evil people, so at least it stopped other atrocities from continuing while keeping demons and witches hidden.

I slide my hands into my pockets. “What’s so important that thehumanpolice captain felt the need to stick around and talk to me?”

His eyes narrow. “I don’t like what your tone is implying.”

I push the heat out from my body again, and he remains unaffected. “Would you prefer I stop implying and just say it out loud?” I glance back toward the busy crime scene. “Might get you a lateral move to a new division.”

“I don’t want to join the CURSD,” he spits out.

The acronym makes me wince inwardly. I never should have dangled that one out there. Who knew it would catch on?

My patience for this conversation wears thin. “Then whatdoyou want, Captain Bailey?”

His gaze turns shrewd. “I’d like to offer you a job.”

“Color me thrilled.” I rock on my heels. “What’s the case?”

“Monster killing men in their early to mid-twenties.” His lips curl with satisfaction that he’s caught my interest. “You track it down, and we take the credit.”

“Just like old times,” I murmur.

“Not quite.” He steps closer. “I want the monster’s head this time. Clearhelm’s standard police are better equipped, better staffed, and better funded. There’s no reason for a special division when we’d work better as a united front.”

“You want me to poach Sharpe’s monster right out from under him?” I ask, just to be sure we’re on the same page.

“Still a mercenary at heart.” He gives me an approving nod. “I’ll even add a bonus if you close the case in under a week.”

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