Black Bird (Nevermore Duet #1)

CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 1 0

SAFE

The prick had told them everything. Sarah’s suspicion had been right. One small stack of paper, offering him immunity when this whole case blew up, was all he’d needed to sing like a canary in that interrogation room. Athan was only sorry that it hadn’t been after a well-deserved beating for ever even thinking of doing this to her. It didn’t matter that Brent hadn’t known all the details of why his father wanted him to string her up. That was the problem with men like this. That was the reason so many of the women that Athan was paid to sleep with long ago were so broken. They were used, mistreated, or just desperate not to be alone. He’d tried calling Sarah a couple times after he’d left the precinct to see what kind of food she’d want him to bring home. He hadn’t spent enough time with her to figure out what else she liked other than her usual coffee and cigarettes. For some reason, that made her twice as attractive.

He settled on the meatball subs Rhaena had brought over that night he’d first tried human food. He never did finish that damn sandwich. He tried her phone one more time before heading home to try and see if she wanted him to stop by her place first. When she didn’t answer that time either, he got nervous and raced back to his apartment. The bag of subs nearly flattened in his arm when he unlocked the door, and when he opened it, he didn’t see her anywhere. The kitchen had been tidied up, all the files stacked on top of the laptop she’d closed and tucked to the far side of the kitchen table. The snacks he’d stolen from Rhaena’s house were arranged in containers on the counter and nestled beside his microwave. He wondered if she’d noticed the thing was never plugged in or even used.

Athan set the bag and his helmet on the kitchen table, reaching for his gun, and locking the door. “Sarah …” he called. No answer. He slid the gun from his holster and cocked it, moving further into the living room. Poe was in his cage, seemingly content … and quiet, for once. A toilet flushed and he rounded the corner into the hallway by his bedroom and Sarah came creeping out. She screamed and grabbed her chest when she saw him, and he lowered his gun. “Shit … Sarah!”

“Damn! Were you gonna shoot me?” She panted, bending over and pressing her palms to her knees. “Jesus, you ‘bout gave me a heart attack …”

“I called. You didn’t answer, I thought—I thought something …”

“It’s dead. I don’t have a charger.” She chuckled, straightening herself. Their eyes met and he couldn’t help but smile back at her … just a little. “What smells good? ”

“I stopped and got subs. I didn’t know what you liked.” He turned and walked back to the living room, laying his gun on top of Poe’s cage, and shrugging off his jacket. He couldn’t stand to look at her longer than a few minutes in those clothes. This was madness. He ran both hands through his hair and plopped down onto the couch, leaning back and resting his head against the leather. Sarah stepped over to the bird cage and Poe moved to nip at her fingers as she poked them through. He watched her.

“Is this your service weapon?” she asked, looking at the Glock.

“Yes.”

“Can I hold it?” Her hand moved to pick it up and he leaned forward in panic.

“Sarah … don’t—” Too late. She lifted it off the cage, and to his surprise knew how to hold it safely. Her finger rested on the side of the barrel, and she turned it back and forth holding the end away from her. “Bring that here, please.”

“Kay.” She smirked, walking toward him slowly and holding it at her hip. She stood just past his knees and moved it just out of his reach. “You ever shoot anybody with it?”

He swallowed, not knowing how to answer. “I have, yes. Not because I wanted to.” He held his hand out. “Give it here.”

“Come on, it’s just us. Nobody’s here for you to get in trouble.”

“That’s hardly the point.” She locked eyes with him, and he nearly lost his breath. It got worse the minute she pressed her fingertips to his chest and eased him back, climbing into his lap and resting a tattooed thigh on each side. He wasn’t sure where to put his hands, respectfully. “What are you doing …”

Jesus Christ, he was gonna lose it …

She pointed the gun toward the ceiling and brought it to her mouth, running her tongue up the sides before grazing the end of the barrel down the front of her shirt. His breathing hitched. “I’m just wondering what something as dangerous and forbidden as you must feel like …” Sarah teased, those big hazel eyes never leaving his. Her nipples hardened underneath that white t-shirt and his throat burned. The whispers in his head started raging.

“That’s chambered. Please don’t—”

“If you really aren’t enjoying this, Kane … then feel free to stop me at any time. I won’t be mad.” She moved it lower, the material on the waistline of those boxers wrinkling as it skitted over them.

“It’s not about you being mad … it’s about you being safe.” He choked, his breathing getting quicker every second he watched her. “This … isn’t safe.” He moved his hand over hers, making a sad attempt to stop her, but she leaned forward, raising herself over him.

“I thought you said I was safe with you ,” she whispered, her lips a breath away from his. It was very clear where this was going. He should stop it. She still didn’t know what he’d done. He should stop this … He shou —

“Sarah …” Athan’s plea was barely audible as she slipped the barrel up the leg of those shorts, and he could feel the heat of her body over his hand. She moved down onto it slowly and closed her eyes, raising herself and sinking back lower … low enough that her slick warm cunt touched his skin. He didn’t know what to do with himself. The restriction of his jeans was straining against his cock every time she moved or released a sharp breath. “Christ …” he whispered, holding her lower back as she leaned backward, moving her hand, and his with it, while the barrel slid in and out of her. She was soaking wet.

“Look at it,” she whispered, moving the gun faster. Her other hand reached down, and she lifted the leg of her shorts enough that when he felt able to tear his eyes from hers, he could see her stretching around the glistening metal. Athan was about to tear a hole through his bottom lip. He could barely catch his breath. She grabbed his wrist and moved it with her, riding it faster and breathing heavier.

He couldn’t control himself anymore. His hips rolled beneath her, pushing against their hands and he leaned forward, realizing then that he’d found himself doing it for her. She took both hands off the gun, leaving him with it, and crossed her arms in front of her to pull her shirt over her head. It hit the floor behind her. “What do you want me to do …” he asked breathlessly, pulling his arm around her back and bringing her closer. Fuck, she was beautiful. Every inch of her was so goddamn beautiful.

“I want you to fuck me with it.” Her arms reached around his neck, and he dropped his mouth to hers … right over that lightly bruised mark he’d left. His heart was going to explode. It thrashed against his ribs and when she let her head fall back, he did exactly as she asked. Her scent got stronger and the sound of his gun filling her up was nothing compared to the moans that started leaving her throat. She fisted his hair, and he plunged the barrel in and out of her. He died not kissing her on that open mouth but didn’t hesitate to slide his tongue across that spot on her neck. He knew what it would do to her. Knew, only because of what it did to him every time Dahlia touched him there. Sarah’s breath caught and she arched into him. Her body started shaking around him and he moved his mouth to her ear while he continued to fuck her harder with his weapon. She whimpered every time it went deeper.

“Come, Sarah …” he whispered, barely able to stop himself from doing the same. His dick hurt. He couldn’t stop pressing against her. He could feel her tighten around the barrel and she nearly screamed when she came all over his hand. He bit down on her ear lobe, and she shook violently, gripping his hair hard enough to hurt. Athan relished in it, sliding the barrel out of her and sitting it next to him on the couch. He made sure she watched him bring his thumb up to his mouth and when he tasted her, he wasn’t sure if he’d be able to keep himself from taking the rest straight from between her thighs. He let her press her forehead against his, both of them panting against each other while she calmed down .

Sarah’s hands slid out of his hair and down each side of his face. “Well …” She smiled lazily. “That was reckless.” For the first time in … he couldn’t remember when, he had no idea what to do. He knew what he wanted to do … but there wasn’t any chance of coming back from the place they’d just gone—and she was sitting half naked in his lap. He wrapped his arms around her warm body and figured that was safe enough to keep his hands from going anywhere else. Her lips brushed against his and he pulled back. It felt horrible to reject her. Even more so when she looked at him and those eyes were pleading … confused. He couldn’t blame her.

“Please …” he whispered, his voice shaking. “You can’t.”

“Why?” She frowned, brushing his hair back away from his brow.

“If I let you, I won’t be able to stop myself.”

“I don’t want you to … Athan, I swear, if I’m reading you all wrong, I’m gonna die of fucking shame. I thought …” She shook her head slowly and drew her brows together. He couldn’t stand it.

“No … you’re reading it right. I do want to, Sarah. You have no fucking —” He bit his lip in frustration. “I can’t. Trust me when I tell you, it’s hard for me too.”

“If this is about your job.” She looked around. “There’s nobody here.”

“It’s not just that.” Athan couldn’t stop himself from reaching up and tucking her hair behind the line of piercings down her ear. “There’s a lot we need to talk about before anything happens between us.”

She shrugged and looked down at the gun on the cushion. “I would argue that it’s a little late for that, wouldn’t you? I know … about you and your partner.”

“What?”

“It was pretty obvious … I asked her about it in the truck that night after the bar fight. She told me the truth. She told me I should let some steam out of the pot.” She smiled.

Athan tensed and found it hard to hide his irritation. “Is she home?”

“Yeah, she came home a couple hours ago.” Sarah stilled and he could feel her eyes staring holes into his face. He finally met her stare. “If you still want her, I—”

“What? No …” Athan argued, tracing circles on her bare back. “We were never … it’s not what you think.” They stared at each other for what seemed like forever and his heart beat faster. She was right here. An open invitation, and he couldn’t find it in himself to do it. His blood was on fire. Sarah smiled at him, seeming to realize his struggle.

“Could I just …” She leaned forward, easing him backward and straddled him while she laid on his chest, resting her cheek in the crook of his shoulder. He’d never let anyone do that. It never felt bearable … until now. “I’m sorry I dirtied up your pistol.” She snorted.

Athan stared at the wall and huffed a laugh, tightening his arms around her. “I’m sorry I almost shot you with it.” They both chuckled and he felt himself relax beneath her. Poe ruffled in his cage and screeched at the audacity of being wholly ignored in the corner.

“Presently … my soul grew stronger,” Sarah whispered, her breath warm against his neck. “Hesitating then no longer …” Athan’s chest tightened.

“Madam … truly your forgiveness I implore,” he recited softly. Poe trilled, listening from his cage and Sarah nestled closer into his neck.

“That I scarce was sure I heard you … here I opened wide the door …” she breathed. It was like it had been written for them. She was inviting a monster in, and she didn’t even know it. He clenched his jaw.

“Darkness there … and nothing more,” he whispered, closing his eyes. She slid a palm across his chest and let it rest over his heart.

“Let my heart be still a moment … and this mystery explore …” He knew what she was asking and there was no use in trying to deny that he’d give it to her … if she still wanted it once she knew the truth. He’d give her anything she wanted.

“Till the dirges of his hope that melancholy burden bore … of ‘Never—nevermore’.” Sarah gripped his shirt in her hand, and he grazed his fingertips over her shoulder, trailing them down her arm until their hands met and he held it.

“Don’t leave me … okay?” she whispered.

Athan turned his face, resting his lips on the top of her head and breathing her in. “I won’t.”

It wasn’t long before her breathing became deep and even, and Athan turned them to fit across the couch. She didn’t stir much, and he kept his hold on her hand throughout the night. So many thoughts were racing through his mind that he was sure he’d never fall asleep, but as foreign as it felt to be so comfortable tangled up in her … sleep found him before he could outrun it.

“What are you doing to me …” he whispered against her hair, closing his eyes and letting the comfort of the dark sweep all the worry from them … at least for now.

As little as she had on, Sarah felt warm. She opened her eyes, realizing that he’d turned them to lay across the length of his leather couch. The room was dimly lit with the dawn creeping from the windows, and she was nestled between his body and the back of the couch, her bare leg draped between his. Athan’s chest rose and fell slowly in sleep, their joined hands a canvas of artwork as inked figures blended together across his white shirt. Her cheek rested on his shoulder, and she dared a look up at him. He was devastating … especially when that unusually stern expression he always carried was mulled over in peace while he slept. His lips were barely parted, and he breathed silently. He’d made it clear when she put on that show last night that those lips were off-limits. It was killing her to respect it, and whatever it was that was keeping him from ac ting on what he so clearly wanted to give right back to her, gnawed on her every nerve like a starving rat.

It was a bold move, she had to admit. One she would have absolutely never considered before getting attacked in that alley. But damn, it was intense. He was intense. He never even really touched her, and Sarah swore it was one of the most pleasurable sexual experiences she’d ever had with anyone, just by the tension and the recklessness of it all. Her skin heated just by the thought. The hunger in his eyes when he’d watched her … when he’d—she had a hard time believing what they’d done last night. But regardless of how absolutely insane that stunt was … it told her enough about this thing between them not being one-sided. Maybe he couldn’t bring himself to touch her … but it made her wonder how far he’d let her go now that that line in the sand had been tested.

Sarah slid her hand from beneath his and trailed her palm gently down his middle. She’d made it far enough to reach his belt without waking him and she tugged the buckle, the leather sliding out of place and clinking open. She watched his eyes flutter open and meet hers, his arm tightening around her back and his other hand moving to stop her. They didn’t speak, but she could feel that buzzing of tension between them thickening the way it always did when they looked at each other for too long. His grip on her hand eased off a little and she pulled his button open on his jeans. His silent breathing had quickened a bit, growing louder … heavier. He didn’t take his eyes from hers. Sarah pulled his zipper down and a muscle feathered in his jaw.

She rested her fingers on the waistline of his pants in silent permission, and after a few long moments, he finally decided to let her. Athan’s hips rose slightly, and she pulled the material down past them, knowing exactly what she’d just freed, but not balking from his intense stare to peek down at it.

His throat bobbed and every muscle in his body tightened under her. He let a shaky breath through his nose as if he were either terrified, or so worked up he couldn’t stand himself, though Sarah couldn’t figure out which … maybe it was both. She only wanted to give him back what he’d given her. She thought that reciting certain parts of that poem last night had told him as much. He’d answered in a way that led her to believe that it was alright, or she would never have attempted this at all. Those icy eyes tore through hers and he managed a slow nod.

He breathed unsteadily, grazing her hand with his fingers and letting her make her move. Sarah’s heart beat like a war drum and she touched him. If he knew exactly what she was trying to do, he didn’t let on. As much as she wanted to strip the rest of herself bare and climb on top of him, Sarah knew that it was a boundary she couldn’t cross. He flinched beneath her touch, a sharp breath catching in his throat as she wrapped her fingers around his cock. She couldn’t help but release a breath of her own, surprised by the mere size of him. His hand reached around hers, squeezing it around himself tighter and she stroked him. The more their hands moved, the harder he breathed. He was like steel beneath her grip. Sarah pressed herself against his thigh. He seemed so desperate for her that it was like he hadn’t been touched in ages … that couldn’t be the truth. Him and Northwood had … but she did remember Rhaena telling her that night after the bar that he wasn’t the type that let anyone close. That was evident by his personality alone.

Athan’s hand left hers and he reached behind her head, pulling her closer until their heads touched and they shared every ragged breath. Their mouths were so close—so damn close—but she tested every bit of her will as he started pushing himself in and out of her tight grip. She worked him faster, and low groans rasped in his throat. When he closed his eyes, she felt him pulsing in her hand. Sarah slid herself down his body, his hand still in her hair and stroked down to the base of his cock as she closed her mouth around the tip. He jerked, fisting her hair, and she hummed against his skin. She took him deeper, her hand moving with her while her head bobbed up and down.

“Sarah …” He groaned. “Dear God …” Athan writhed under her, one hand in his hair while he gripped hers tighter. His head fell back against the arm of the couch and every sound he made had molten heat pooling between her legs. She sucked hard, lowering her head back down, and taking him so far into her throat that she gagged. He throbbed in her mouth, cursing while he shot thick ribbons that warmed the back of her throat. Sarah swallowed him down and kept at it until he started to settle, sweeping her thumb across the tip and watching him nearly salivate when she raised herself up and sucked it off her finger. His eyes moved over her bare chest and down her inked body and he seemed like he was struggling to breathe when he leaned himself up to meet her.

“It didn’t seem fair … you know?” Sarah whispered as his hand dropped from her hair to her jawline. “I had to give you what’s yours.”

“You’re not obligated to give me anything, Sarah …” He breathed raggedly, thumbing her chin and gazing at her open mouth. She moved closer, sliding both arms around his neck.

“Then tell me why I wanna give you everything , detective.”

He went rigid, his expression dropping into something painful. There was a long silence and his thumb slid across her bottom lip. “If I told you that …” He sighed. “I’d never see you again.”

Sarah eased back, drawing her brows together. She couldn’t explain the way her heart sank when he’d said it. “Why, Athan? Why can’t you tell me?”

He clenched his jaw and sighed again, closing his eyes and pinching her chin before easing her off of him and raising from the couch. She sat there, confused and rejected, and … a little pissed. Sarah stared at his back while he pulled his pants up and fastened them. “I’m sorry …” he said soft enough that she could swear there was some heavy emotion leaking through it. He bent over, picking up the shirt she’d worn from the floor and turned to hand it to her.

“Maybe I should go home,” Sarah said, trying not to let her temper flare and taking the shirt from him. She pulled it over her head and straightened it over her body, suddenly feeling way too exposed. Athan stepped over to the window and braced an arm against it, peering out over the city.

“I understand,” he whispered. It only made her more upset.

“What happened yesterday? Can you at least tell me that? ” She slapped her palms against her thighs.

He was quiet for a moment, and she grew impatient, slipping off the couch and starting for his room. “Stratford squealed,” he finally said, stopping her in her tracks. Sarah turned to face him.

“What?”

“Your ex … he admitted everything you thought was true.”’ Athan turned and faced her, leaning back against the glass and crossing his arms. “The senator put him up to dating you.” A chill went down her spine and her mouth parted. It wasn’t like she hadn’t had that feeling already, but to have it confirmed …

“And the engagement?” Sarah asked, wringing her fingers.

“Conrad gave him the ring. Brent said he’d told him it didn’t feel right, but he made him ask you anyway. I’m—” He paused, meeting her eyes. “I’m sorry.”

Sarah chewed on her lip, nodding and dropping her eyes to the carpet. “Anything else?” she asked.

“I’ve got a full statement if you wanna read over it. He did mention that when he gave the ring back to him, he’d said everything he was doing was for his mother.”

Sarah’s face jerked forward. “Brent’s mother?” Athan nodded. She scoffed and shook her head, smiling and turning around to pace toward the kitchen.

“What’s wrong?”

Sarah stopped, rolling her eyes, and then closing them while she raised her face to the ceiling and pressed her palms to her hips. “It all makes sense.”

“What does?”

Sarah didn’t turn back to look at him when she answered, “Brent’s mother has stage four cancer. Conrad wants me to fix her.”

Athan quieted. “Fix her?”

She finally turned around, and they stared at each other for a moment. “Athan, I told Rhaena last night … I tested my blood at the lab. Ran a few things … saw a few things.” He stood still. “I can go into detail if you want, but … what it all boils down to, is that I’m almost certain that the government has been concocting some kind of vaccine with my mom’s disease. I think they injected me with it. They’ve made my blood into liquid gold. I think if Conrad wants me that bad, he knows about it. He thinks it’ll cure her.”

He looked as if a million things were going on in that beautiful, stupid head. She hated how badly she still wanted him. “Fuck me …” he said, turning back to the window and slamming a fist against the wall.

Sarah rolled her eyes. “Well, I tried to … but …” She shrugged.

Athan turned sharp, picking his gun up off the floor, and slipping it into his holster before opening Poe’s cage and grabbing his jacket from the top. “I’ve gotta go somewhere. I’ll be back in a couple hours,” he said, shrugging on his jacket.

“Where are you going?” Sarah hissed, more confused than ever. He moved closer to her and looked at her as if he’d tear someone apart. “Lemme guess … you can’t tell me?”

“If you don’t wanna stay, Sarah, I can understand that. But … if you leave, I’d feel better if you hung out with Rhaena until she can get you protection. Either way, that’s not up for debate. You’ll have to be watched.”

“Okay,” Sarah breathed, not able to look at those blue eyes anymore. He stilled for a moment, seeming hesitant to leave. She looked back up.

“I am sorry …” He frowned.

“I wish everybody would stop telling me that shit. I just want my life back. I’d appreciate some kind of clarity in that life, if it isn’t too much to ask.” He swallowed and raised a finger to brush against her cheek. She couldn’t help herself and turned her face into his touch.

“What you did was—” He sighed deeply. “You were incredible.” Sarah met his eyes. “For what it’s worth, Sarah … I’ve never let anyone touch me like that.” Now it was making more sense. Maybe it wasn’t her specifically. “Ever,” he finished.

“I’ll stay with you,” she choked out. He offered her a slight smile and as much as she wished she could sneer at him, Sarah smiled back.

“There’s a charger on the other side of my bed near the sliding glass door. If anything happens, call me or head to Rhaena’s. It’s Sunday … she likely isn’t going anywhere.”

Sarah nodded and he backed away, making for the front door. The chain lock slid out of place and the deadbolt flipped. He opened it, looking back at her from over his shoulder. “Lock yourself in.” She nodded again and he closed it, leaving her in the short hallway between the kitchen and the living room. Poe screeched, climbing up the outside of the cage and Sarah moved toward him. He had to be hungry.

“Let’s get you something, friend.” She smiled, letting him hop onto her wrist. He flitted up to her shoulder and she walked them into the kitchen, opening the fridge and pulling one of the containers out. There was only one small strip of raw chicken left. She handed it up to him and he took it greedily. Sarah took the rest of the containers out and tossed them into the sink, filling it with soapy water. She leaned back into the fridge, plundering around to find anything else she could give the bird, but came up short. Two white drawers at the bottom of the fridge remained, and she slid one out—empty. But when she opened the other …

Sarah’s eyes widened and she stilled, slowly kneeling to the floor and reaching into the drawer. Blood bags … a drawer full of them. She plucked one up, her hand shaking as she read the front. She knew that logo. O-negative bags from EverLife. Her face turned toward the locked front door and then back to the bag in her hand. She tucked the blood back into the compartment and shoved it closed, raising on unsteady knees, and shutting the door to the refrigerator .

Sarah turned the running water off at the sink and stood there in shock for a long moment. “What the fuck?” She murmured to herself, absent-mindedly starting to wash the dishes. Poe danced on her shoulder, curiously watching her. Sarah peered through the breakfast nook at the leather couch, recalling everything they’d done on it hours ago … minutes ago. Her mind flooded with questions and her heart felt heavy. So did her stomach. “What the hell are you doing with all of that, Kane?” she whispered, her brows nearly touching in confusion. Something dark and compelling tugged at her middle. Whispers hushed her thoughts in her mind. Ones she’d heard before but couldn’t make out. She left the containers sitting in the sink and dried her hands, stalking to the living room to get her phone and then to Athan’s room to charge it.

Wren heard her phone ringing and wiped the drool from her chin as she turned on her pillow, Denver stirring at her movement. She fished for her phone, finding it at the corner of her small nightstand and slid the call open before even looking to see who it was.

“Yeah? Hello?” She groaned, rubbing the sleep from her eye.

“Wren … where you at?”

“Hey … I’m home. Are you still at Detective Dreamy’s place?” When Sarah went silent Wren stilled, raising to sit, and brushing her hair back from her forehead. “Sarah?”

“Yeah, I’m still here.”

“What’s the matter? Are you okay?”

“I—I dunno.”

Wren tried to ease the worry in her voice, veiling it in amusement. “Uh oh … did you sleep with him?” Another long pause. “Oh shit … you did?”

“No … well—we … no, we didn’t.”

“Uhhh … that’s not what it sounds like … what happened?”

“We … fooled around a little. But I’m calling about something else.”

Wren’s mouth dropped open in a smile. “You fooled around a little? That’s all you’re gonna give me? What’d you do?”

“Wren! Please, okay? He just left, and I found a fucking drawer full of blood bags in his fridge. Bags from EverLife.”

Her mouth stayed open; her amusement wholly gone. “What?”

“Yeah.”

“I don’t get it … why would he have that? Is he sick?”

“I don’t know. But he left, and said he’d be back in a couple hours. He told me Brent admitted to being with me because of his father. Conrad wants me. I told him I’d tested my blood, and he lost his shit and said he needed to leave for a while. I don’t even know where he’s going.”

“Wait, wait … back up. You said you tested your blood, told him about it? Why would that set him off? ”

“Because … I figured some stuff out about it that might have blown this case open. And he had said when you were here that he thinks this is more than one person. I’m assuming whoever he thinks that is … they might be about to get it. He looked like he was gonna rip somebody’s spine out.”

Wren checked the time. It was still pretty early in the morning. “Why don’t I come get you? Go get breakfast? I’m never up this early. Might as well enjoy it.”

“I don’t have any clothes.”

“He didn’t go get them?”

“No, he—no.”

Wren smirked and slid out of bed. “I’ll go by the house. Pack you a bag. Unless … are you still gonna stay?”

“I told him I would. That was before I found this shit in the fridge, but … as weird as it is, there’s gotta be some logical explanation, right?”

Wren’s mouth twitched to the side, and she narrowed her eyes. “I would think someone as smart as he is has a good reason for it, yes. But … look, I’ll be there within the hour. Better get used to having bodyguards. And they don’t talk much. None of them are even remotely attractive, just so you know.”

“I don’t care. Just come get me.”

“Okay. Be there soon. Love you.”

“I love you, too.”

They hung up and Wren started searching through her dresser for clothes. That little bastard. She knew he’d been a snake from the moment he’d started dating Sarah. It took everything in her not to call his ass up and give him a piece of her mind. Although, it didn’t stop her from remembering the look Brent had in his eyes at the hospital. When he watched Sarah in her bed. The panic that was in his voice when she’d raced up there after Sarah had been sedated because of her strange outburst. Or, when she’d told him that he needed to leave her if he loved her at all. She knew deep down, he must have. At least he was doing one thing right by Sarah. He didn’t have to tell them the truth. She’d give him that much.

As for her best friend, Wren could only hope that whatever this was that was going on between her and the hot detective, wouldn’t be a hindrance to this case. She’d thought he’d be more careful and not try anything until this was all over. But she also knew that the way he seemed to be straining against his better judgment at his apartment must have been a weight that was too heavy to bear.

Wren opened a can of cat food and slopped it into Denver’s dish before kissing him on top of his fuzzy head and shoving a cigarette into her mouth on her way out the door. Two cops were standing outside, and she turned to lock up.

“Where you headed?” the chubby one asked, already holding a cup of coffee.

“To my friend’s place to get her some clothes, and then to your buddy’s to pick her up. ”

“We can drive you,” the other cop said, turning toward her.

“It’s obvious enough that I’m being watched without showing up in a cop car, dude. Could you follow a safe distance? Give us some space?”

“Sure. Just don’t do anything stupid.” He shrugged.

Wren barked a laugh and walked past them down the stairs and out the door. The coffee shop was way too busy to stop this morning, although the owner likely had already seen the two men that followed behind her enough to understand they were here for her. She decided to skip that awkward conversation and unlocked her car. When she raised her eyes over the roof of the Beetle, she noticed a black sedan with the driver casually sitting and making no moves to get out of his vehicle. She pretended not to notice. She wouldn’t have noticed at all, had Kane not told them to be more alert. She eased herself in and started up, backing out of her space and adjusting her rear-view mirror.

About a block down the road, she peered back up to find that sedan about five cars behind her and the two officers that followed in a squad car. They couldn’t be that stupid. Wren reached for her phone.

“Wren?”

“Hey … you said you wanted me to call it in if it looks suspicious?”

“Yeah, what’s going on?”

“I’m being followed. I’m in my car heading to Sarah’s to get her some clothes. I was gonna go pick her up and take her to breakfast.”

“Where are you?”

“A block away from my place.”

“Keep eyes on them. What are they driving, and how many?”

“One driver. Black sedan.”

“I’ll let your officers know. Keep your eyes peeled. Where are you taking her? Should I meet you?”

“There’s a diner not far from your apartment. That’s where we’ll be. But … it sounds like she needs to talk, and I’m guessing it’s the kind of conversation she wouldn’t want you around for … if you catch my meaning.”

Kane was quiet for a heartbeat. “I understand. Wren, look … don’t go to my apartment if they’re still following you. They’ll see her come out and know where she’s staying. You both need to be smart about this. Throw them off. Let me get someone on ‘em.”

“Understood.” Wren hung up and turned left at the light. Two blocks down, she turned right. The patrol cars divided, each one taking a different street and the sedan moved closer. “Come on, fucker … lemme see your face.” She growled, looking in the mirror and opening the camera on her phone. She raised it as he crept up behind her and zoomed in. Her breath caught in her throat. She snapped as many photos as she could and he spotted her, knowing exactly what she was doing. The black car sped around her, and her eyes widened when she realized she was right.

She dropped the phone and it fell to the floorboard, the asshole swerving toward her in an attempt to run her into oncoming traffic on the other side of the street. Wren slammed on the brakes, the car behind her mercifully stopping before it hit her back bumper and he veered into the traffic himself. The car smashed into two others near her left headlight and the officers that had been with her peeled in from the two streets on the other side, blocking him and getting out with their guns pointed. The brute made to run, limping out of his driver’s side door, and turning toward Wren. He pulled a gun of his own, not visible to the cops running behind him. Her heart thrashed and she instinctively reached for her bag, pulling her pistol out and shooting through her window as he raised his barrel toward her.

Four rounds. He dropped like a stone to the pavement and Wren heaved panicked breaths. The two officers banked on either side of him, kicking the gun from his hand and pointing theirs down at him while he laid there, motionless. People were screaming and running, though no one seemed hurt by the crash. The revolver shook in her hands, and she looked down at it. One of the officers opened her door and she flinched. He leaned over her, putting her car in park and turning her face toward him.

“Miss Vintorri …” his voice was hollowed out by the surging lull in her head. “Are you hurt? Miss Vintorri …” Wren could only stare at him. She was frozen in shock. He took the gun from her hands, and she leaned over toward him. He must have expected it. He backed away quickly and she vomited all over the street.

Rhaena had just poured her second cup of coffee and was just about to pick up her phone to call Athan when the phone started buzzing on the counter. She answered.

“Hey, I was just about to call and see if you two want—”

“Rhaena, go get Sarah from my place. Now.”

She stilled, dread pooling in her gut. “What happened?”

“Wren was followed on her way to pick Sarah up. She killed the guy.”

“What?!”

“Sarah’s at my apartment by herself. I need you to go get her. Give her something to wear and bring her to the precinct.”

“Where are you?”

“I was almost at the club when Wren called.”

“Dahlia?”

“Yeah …”

“What were you gonna do, Kane?”

He was quiet for a moment. “Meet me at the precinct. Please take care of her, Rhaena.”

“I’ve got it. We’ll see you in a few.”

Call ended.

Rhaena, thankfully already dressed, ran to her room and grabbed something warm for Sarah. It wasn’t something she’d likely ever choose to wear, but at least she’d be comfortable. She grabbed her gun and her bag, making a tumbler full of black coffee and snapping the lid on before rushing out the door. She decided against letting herself in as she’d done a thousand times before. Rhaena knocked softly.

The locks slid open, and Sarah answered, her face sagging in relief when she saw her standing there. “Hey.” She smirked, opening the door.

“You alright?” Rhaena asked, walking in and setting the clothes on the kitchen table. She turned as Sarah closed the door and handed her the tumbler.

“Yeah, I thought you’d be Wren. I’m waiting for—”

“Wren’s not coming,” Rhaena said softly. The panic that raised in Sarah’s bright eyes made her wince. “I’m taking you to see her.”

“What do you mean? She’s not—no …” Sarah backed up, and Rhaena realized then that she was assuming the worst.

“No, no … she’s safe. She’s at the 12th. There was an incident. She’s gonna need you. I brought you some clothes. Get changed and hurry up.”

Sarah sighed heavily in relief, closing her eyes, and grabbing the clothes. Maybe the girl had zero fucks left at this point, or maybe she was too worried to care, but Rhaena watched her come out of that shirt and boxers on her way into the living room. While she pulled the sports bra on, the fitted long sleeved red top and the black leggings … Rhaena swore she caught the familiar scent of sex in that apartment. She tried not to smirk.

“What size shoes do you wear?” she asked, looking toward the dishes in the kitchen sink.

“Eight,” Sarah called from the living room.

“These run a little small, but they should do for now until we can get some shit from your place.” Rhaena brought her in a pair of fur lined black boots that came just below the knee. “They’re eight and a half.”

Sarah pulled the dark gray athletic hoodie over her head and slipped her feet into the boots. “What happened?” she asked, tying her hair in a messy knot on top of her head.

“Athan called. He said Wren called him on her way out and she was being followed. All he told me is that she killed the guy. I don’t know much else.”

Sarah froze. “What?” she said breathlessly, her mouth held open. “Was she hurt?”

“I’m assuming not if Athan didn’t start with that.” She offered her a comforting smile. “We’ll know more when we get to the precinct.”

Sarah rubbed at her face and shook her head. “This is all my fault.”

“Stop, Sarah. Don’t do that. This isn’t anyone’s fault. I told you. Wren’s probably been followed for a while now. Both of you likely have. This was bound to happen eventually, I’m just glad the two of you are safe.”

“Yeah, well I thought having people watching us would prevent this from happening,” Sarah snapped. Rhaena didn’t take it personally. She understood her frustration and fear. “How did Wren end up being the one to kill someone? Isn’t that your job?”

“Like I said … I know as much as you do. The how and why is something we’ll have to learn when we get there. Are you ready?”

“I’m sorry … I—I know this isn’t your fault, I’m just … it’s been an interesting two days.” Sarah blew out a long breath and Rhaena raised a brow. Their eyes met. “I—I need my phone.” She disappeared down the hallway to Athan’s room and came back with her phone in the front pocket of the jacket. Poe screeched from his perch and Sarah was remarkably comfortable handling him and letting him back into the cage before closing him up.

“Wow.” Rhaena smiled as she leaned on the wall by the living room. “You two seem like old friends. That bird hates me.”

“He’s a sweetheart. They just have to build some trust. Ravens are extremely smart. They just look ominous.” Sarah shrugged, turning toward her. She paused and pink stained her pale cheeks when Rhaena crossed her arms.

“Ready?” Rhaena smirked.

Sarah cleared her throat, pulling a rogue strand of ebony hair behind her ear and nodding as she passed by her and toward the door. Rhaena followed behind, locking the door up for her and passing her the coffee she’d left on the table. “Thank you.” She hummed, flicking the lid open and sipping from it as they walked to the elevator. They stepped inside and the doors closed, a heavy silence passing between them as they started moving down.

“So?” Rhaena smiled, staring at their blurred reflection in the doors.

“I … tried.” Sarah sipped again.

“He wouldn’t?”

“He only let me go so far. Last night I—may have sexually assaulted his service weapon.”

Rhaena’s mouth gaped open, and she jerked her face toward Sarah who laughed through her nose with a mouthful of hot coffee. “You what?! ”

“Don’t judge me.” She blushed without looking at her.

She had no words. Couldn’t even bargain how that might even feel, but also couldn’t see it being a very comfortable ordeal. Rhaena shook her head slowly. “I—didn’t see that coming …. Sorry,” she chuckled. Sarah giggled back.

The elevator dinged and the doors opened, two people and their small dog entering as they exited. They decided not to continue the conversation on the walk through the parking lot to Rhaena’s truck. She unlocked it and they both slipped inside, Rhaena taking in every possible point of view before pulling out. She saw nothing. The first couple miles were quiet and then Sarah finally broke the silence, looking over at her. “Say it.” She smirked.

Rhaena raised her brows and shook her head, watching the road. “To each his own, I suppose. I just … didn’t that hurt? ”

“I think I was too “in the moment” to really notice.”

“Where was he?” Rhaena asked, curiously.

“Under me?” Sarah’s face turned red. “I was sitting in his lap.”

“And he just watched you?” Rhaena asked, glancing over.

“Umm …” Sarah bit her lip.

They pulled up behind a car at a red light and Rhaena gawked at her. “He did not.”

“He did. When it was over, I tried … I tried to kiss him but …” Sarah looked down at the cup in her hands.

“So … did he explain himself? That couldn’t have been an easy conversation.” Rhaena was treading as carefully as she could, not knowing what Athan had revealed. It was obvious that he didn’t tell her the truth, otherwise they’d be having a much different conversation.

“No. He was as vague as usual. He let me sleep next to him on the couch.”

“And that was it? He said he was almost across town this morning when Wren called. Why’d he leave?”

“He didn’t really say … I—” Sarah paused, looking over at her as the light turned green. “I told him what I told you about my blood. He said Brent admitted to dating me because Conrad made him do it. Brent said that he’d told him he was doing it for his mother. When I told Athan she had cancer, and that he probably wanted my blood to help her … he got really pissed and left. Said there was somewhere he had to go.”

Rhaena followed behind the traffic, taking a left at the next street. “So, you didn’t tell him this last night, I assume?”

“No, we got in a little … argument this morning.” Sarah sighed, sipping from her coffee.

“Already?” Rhaena huffed a laugh. “About what?”

“I may have … taken matters into my own hands this morning … literally. And then in my mouth.” Sarah turned her face toward the window and Rhaena laughed loudly.

“And it pissed him off?”

“No … he let me do it. He seemed really desperate, Rhaena.” She slowly turned her face back toward her, her expression almost sad. “I think someone’s really hurt him to cause him to be like this. And he wouldn’t tell me why he’d let me go that far, but still not any further. So, he rejected me again and got off the couch. I said I wanted to go home, and he told me about Brent. That’s when all the other shit came about.”

“I’m so sorry. I should never have told you to do that.” Rhaena sighed.

“I wanted to. I think he wants it too. He said as much last night.”

Rhaena tightened her grip on the steering wheel. “He does, Sarah.” She felt Sarah’s eyes on her as she kept her focus on the traffic. “Athan’s not … he’s been through a lot, too. It wasn’t my place to butt in, and it’s not my place to tell his story. But I will say this … in all the years I’ve known him, he’s never so much as faced me while … you know. Let alone, the other activity you mentioned. It was always, hands to myself and enjoy it whi le it lasts. And we’ve never slept beside each other. Not ever.” She hoped maybe it offered her a little comfort, at least.

“Is he sick?” she asked.

Rhaena’s face scrunched and she glanced over. “Sick? No … why?”

“I fed Poe this morning. He’s out of meat. I didn’t know what else Athan fed him, so I looked around the fridge. Did you know about the blood bags in the drawer?”

Rhaena felt the color drain from her face. “Yeah, I did.” She scrambled to come up with a good explanation and finding nothing. Her stomach churned.

“Why would he have something like that? And from EverLife?”

Rhaena swallowed, and hoped Sarah wasn’t paying too much attention to how nervous she was getting. “Umm … EverLife was broken into weeks ago. Athan and I are on that case. We’re still trying to deal with your boss on that front. Those bags … they’re—think of them as evidence.”

“Do you not keep evidence at the precinct? Why would he have them?”

Fuck …

“You remember how I told you, when you were at the hospital … that we get the cases that no one wants?” She saw Sarah nod in the corner of her eye. “Sometimes we work on parts of those cases out in the open … like the web. Other parts, we don’t. He never said why, but it’s obvious he wants that blood away from curious hands. Any hands that are trying to reach into the pot and pull some big stunt that’ll wreck our case.” A horrible example of a lie. But she was trying.

“So, you don’t know what it’s for?”

“I’m assuming it has something to do with whatever Athan and Nick Specter are working on. Your boss might seem like a good person, and I’m not saying he isn’t … but he’s a slippery little shit. I’ve questioned him already, myself.”

“Is it part of my case?” she asked warily.

“We’re still trying to figure that out. We think not, but if certain pieces fit … it could explain some things.”

“So, I shouldn’t ask him about it?” Sarah asked softly, thumbing the rim of her cup.

“You should feel comfortable asking him anything. That’s what we’re here for. Just … remember that you might get answers to these questions that you’re not prepared to deal with just yet.” Rhaena glanced toward her, and Sarah seemed to understand, nodding slowly and looking back down at the cup.

“Fair enough.” She sighed.

“As far as the other problem … just give him time. You know he’s not the most social person. You’ve got farther than anyone else, and that’s saying something.”

“You’re right,” Sarah agreed.

They pulled up to the 12th and Athan’s motorcycle was already parked out front. Both of them leapt from the truck and rushed inside. As the elevator doors opened, Sarah rushed past Rhaena to where Wren was sitting with a mug of coffee at Athan’s desk, pale … green really, and her face slackened in utter shock. Athan moved aside when Sarah hit her knees in front of Wren’s chair, pulling her into a tight hug. He glanced up as Rhaena rounded the desk and their eyes met briefly.

“Who was it?” Rhaena asked softly, as the girls tearfully reunited.

“She managed to get a few pictures before the crash. I haven’t seen the body, but I know who he is.” Athan handed her printed copies from Wren’s phone. She squinted and moved the photos closer but didn’t recognize the man. “That’s the guy whose arm I nearly broke at the Halloween party when I picked Sarah and Wren up from the bar,” he clarified.

Sarah’s face shot up toward him from her spot on the floor. “What?” she asked.

Wren answered for him, wiping her eyes and sniffling. “The guy you were dancing with. From Dom’s party. I killed him, Sarah.”

Sarah covered her mouth with her hand, glancing between all of them. “Who is he?” She started shaking. “Why was he following her?”

Jenkins approached from down the hall with a few papers in his hand, one of them a mugshot with his personal information. “His name is Freddy Dowell. Goes by the name ‘ Tank’. Plates on the car were stolen. We don’t know who he’s working for.”

“Was …” Wren corrected hoarsely, staring off with a numb expression. “ Was Freddy Dowell.”

Rhaena sat her stuff on her desk and leaned over it toward Wren. “Wren, you did nothing wrong. It could have been you, today,” she offered, grazing her shoulder with a gentle hand.

“Doesn’t change the fact that I took someone else’s life,” she whispered, crying again. She buried her face in her hands, Sarah taking her mug and leaning her over to let her cry on her shoulder. Athan reached a hand out and Sarah handed the mug to him, holding her friend closely.

“Kane let’s take a walk,” Rhaena urged. He cautiously nodded, glancing back at Sarah who paid him little mind as he rounded the desks and followed her to the break room. Rhaena cracked the door behind them and started making cups of coffee. Athan stood close, pouring out the mug Wren hadn’t touched. “She knows,” Rhaena whispered. His face paled and he jerked his head up, panic flashing in his eyes. “Not about that. She found your blood bags after you left. I told her you were keeping them there as evidence for EverLife’s case. It was the only thing I could come up with.”

He ran a hand through his hair. “Fuck …” He mumbled under his breath. Rhaena refilled Wren’s mug.

“You’ve gone a bit too far with her not to tell her, Athan. I scented it as soon as I walked into the apartment this morning.”

“Did she tell—”

“Yes.” Rhaena cut him off, emptying the rest of the pot and washing it out in the sink. She started filling it with water. “You can’t keep letting this go on. Things are getting crazier for these girls, and somebody is gonna get hurt. If she’s mad at you, then she’s mad at you … and you might be able to come back from that. But if one of them gets their hands on her …”

“They’re both after her for different reasons. It’s obvious after today that they’ll go through anybody to get to her. They won’t kill Sarah, she’s too valuable. But Wren …”

“Killing Wren would have lured her out,” Rhaena agreed. “She can’t go home. Neither of them should. I’ll take Wren, if you want.”

“I could put her in witness protection.”

“You’d need Cap for that … he’s not here. Let me see if she’s comfortable going home with me until we figure out what to do.”

Athan nodded. “I think I’d die if something happened to her,” he breathed, staring down into one of the mugs. She’d never seen him like this.

“I think you might be in love, bud.” She pushed the button to restart the coffee maker and he rubbed the back of his neck. “Tell her.”

They stared at each other for a moment, his breathing shallow and uneven. He nodded again, slowly, grabbed two of the mugs and walked out. Rhaena watched him pass one to Sarah. Watched the way they looked at each other even after all that had transpired. She might not take it well, but that girl was tougher than she looked. She silently prayed they’d all make it through this and somehow be happy at the end of it all.