Black Bird (Nevermore Duet #1)

CHAPTER 13

ACTING OUT

Rhaena was still trying to relax her muscles, after training with Captain Foley this morning, when she reached her desk at the 12th and sat her cup down. She stared at Athan, who paid her absolutely no mind while he wrote down more shit on the white board and downed yet another cup of black coffee. He hadn’t slept in three days. Wren had told her she was getting very little from Sarah, and the only way that Rhaena knew that their vic had gone back to work was in thanks to the reports she was getting from the officers that were keeping eyes on her. All still remained quiet, but she knew that quiet wasn’t good.

“Who is that?” Rhaena asked, pointing to the new face on the board.

Athan didn’t turn to acknowledge her as he moved the red marker across the surface and sipped from his mug. “His name is Patrick Finley. Missing person.”

“What does he have to do with the case?” she asked, sitting on the edge of her desk. She noticed the new photo of the body they recovered on Halloween was up, too. The one that had been staged to look exactly like Sarah.

“He’s been missing for weeks. Last seen on the same side of town that Black Bird is on. I think she’s got him. There’s no body. No communication. None of his football team, or his friends have heard from him. Girlfriend says they broke it off a few hours before he went missing.”

“Why do you think Dahlia has him? Do you have any leads?”” Rhaena asked.

“Well … where would you go if you just got—” He paused, the tip of the marker held still against the whiteboard. His throat bobbed and Rhaena knew exactly why he didn’t finish that sentence. It hurt her to see him like this. “I think he went to go drown his sorrows and she saw him as a good opportunity. I don’t have proof … just a theory.”

“I don’t wanna say what I just noticed.” Rhaena slid off the desk. He finally turned his face to look at her. Even immortality couldn’t hide his grief.

“What?”

“That kid favors you. Not the hair, obviously, but look at his face. If I pictured you as a teenager, I imagine that’s about how you’d look in your youth.” They stared at the photo of the young athlete and Athan’s jaw tightened. “How much coffee have you had this morning?”

“Not enough.”

“You look like hell. You need to eat … or … you know. Some sleep wouldn’t kill you, either. Why don’t you— ”

“I’m not going home. I could bleach that whole apartment and her scent is still there. I’d still have to borrow coffee from your place because the one I bought got trashed. I can’t go there without spending the whole night drinking.” He sighed, closing his eyes and running a hand through his hair. “Just leave it,” he said, turning back to his desk and leaving her standing at the board. He dropped into his chair, and it screeched as he turned it around. Enough to make Rhaena grind her teeth.

“She went back to work,” she offered. He didn’t turn around. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say she’s having a hard time not thinking of you either, Kane.”

“Doesn’t matter,” he breathed, jiggling his mouse and dismissing the screensaver on his monitor.

“Why don’t you just try talking to—”

“I said leave it.”

Rhaena huffed and went back to sit at her desk. “Fine.” She stacked a file of paperwork on her desk loudly and pretended not to look at him.

“How’s it going, detectives?” Foley asked as he approached them, changed and suited as if Rhaena hadn’t just seen him sweating like a mule in the training center. Athan turned toward him in his chair. “Jesus, Kane. What the hell happened to you?”

“I’m—I’m just …” Athan fumbled, rubbing the back of his neck.

“He hasn’t been feeling well,” Rhaena offered.

“That’s a first.” Foley pocketed a hand. “You look like shit, son.” His eyes met Rhaena’s and she side-eyed the picture of Sarah. Understanding flooded the captain’s face. “Go home, detective. Take a few days. Get some rest. Let Northwood drive for a while.”

“Sir, I—”

“I’m not asking,” Foley cut him off, dipping his chin and lowering his brows. “You both promised me your best on this case. Don’t forget that. If something comes up, we’ll call you … go home.”

Athan clenched his jaw, turning off his monitor and closing a drawer. “Yes, sir,” he grumbled, glancing at Rhaena and reaching under his desk for his helmet.

“Oh … that reminds me,” Foley added, digging a tagged key out of his pocket and tossing it toward him. Athan caught it in his hand. “Why don’t you try this out for a few days. Something with doors. And don’t lemme catch you lighting up in it, either.” Rhaena smirked, watching Athan’s surprised reaction as he raised up from his chair. “Have fun, Kane.” Foley nudged her shoulder as he walked back to his office. Athan only stared at her.

“What’s this about?” he asked, dangling the key from his finger.

“I put in for this weeks ago. Just good timing is all.” She smiled.

“I don’t need a car.”

“You do need a car. I’m sick of sharing mine when you’re in need of one. Trust me. I’m nothing, if not tasteful when it comes to vehicles. Just go. You can thank me later.” Rhaena winked .

“If you put me in something flashy, it’s your ass, Northwood.” He rolled his eyes and shoved past her, making his way to the elevator.

“You’re welcome, bastard!” she called, earning herself an obscene gesture as he walked off. She hoped it would ease something, at least. Foley glanced through the blinds in his office window at her and she smirked. He nodded in response.

Brent was just finishing up with a client and walking down the steps to the courthouse when his phone started buzzing in his jacket pocket. Seeing that name pop up on his phone nearly gave him a heart attack. He stopped on the stairs and stared down at it, a nervous feeling twisting in his gut until he started cursing himself for missing the call. She had to have called him by accident. He had just about convinced himself of it before it started ringing again. She wouldn’t have made a back-to-back call by accident … right? He slid the call open and put the phone to his ear.

“Sarah?” His voice was strained. Brent cleared his throat.

“Hey.”

He paused for a moment. “Are you alright?”

“Never better.” He could hear the sarcasm in her tone.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing I would tell you. I think it’s fair to say you owe me a favor.”

Brent looked out over the city and clenched his jaw. “I’m sorry…we never talked about—”

“And we won’t. Not right now. I need a favor.”

He nodded and looked back down at his feet. “What can I do?”

“Dear old dad is having a benefit this weekend, correct?”

“Yeah.”

“You going?”

“I wasn’t planning on it, no.”

“Well … you are now. I need you to make me your plus one.”

“Why?” That nervous feeling started churning like a blender. “What are you planning?”

“I don’t think that’s your concern anymore, Brent. I know what he wants. We’re gonna have a little chat.”

Brent decided it was time to start walking in case someone was listening in. He started down the rest of the pale steps and dropped his voice. “Are you gonna kill him, Sarah?”

“Only as much as he’s killed me. He’ll still live and breathe. But if he wants what I think he wants … then he’s gonna pay dearly for it. We’ll see how much it really means to him and what kind of monster he really is, then. And you’re gonna help me.”

Brent unlocked his car and shut the door behind him as he slid inside. “Sarah … I—I never meant …”

“Yeah, I’ve been hearing that a lot lately. Spare me of whatever bullshit you’re about to say. I should’ve listened to Wren a long time ago.”

He quieted … so did she. “She was right. I’ll admit that I didn’t expect her to be so bold, even after hating me for the past two years. But … she was right. I don’t know what it is I feel for you, Sarah. But I’m man enough to admit it hurt to find out that it wasn’t real for you either.”

“What are you talking about?”

“The hospital. Isn’t that what you’re talking about?”

“Refresh my memory.”

“I’m assuming she told you about the conversation in the stairwell? When she told me to leave … and that you hadn’t loved me for a while?” Another long pause.

“Hmm …” Sarah hummed, simply.

“Sarah?”

“Get us into this benefit. Text me whatever I need to wear.”

Call ended.

He may have just fucked up yet again . Brent blew out a long breath and rubbed over his face, staring over his steering wheel for a moment before starting the car and pulling onto the street.

Wren pulled up to Sarah’s apartment, excited to finally see her after three days of being told no. She was a little surprised to see Sarah’s text to come over, if she was being honest. She even told her to bring her appetite and that she was making dinner. Wren headed up the stairs and knocked, opening the door when Sarah called her in.

“Damn … it smells like cupcakes in here,” she said, closing the door behind her. Sarah smiled over her shoulder. “Did you go to work today?”

“Yeah. Not much luck with what I was trying to do, but … wasn’t a total loss.” She was standing with her back turned toward her at the stove, cutting something that was steaming in front of her. She looked better than Athan, Wren supposed. Her hair was up, and she was wearing the shirt Wren bought her with a pair of loose black shorts. “You cool with eating at the coffee table? I’m gonna sit on the floor.”

“Yeah, sure.” Wren shrugged, taking her jacket off and heading over to the table. She plopped down and sat cross-legged on a pillow then looked up at the empty space above Sarah’s bed. “What happened to the poster?” she asked.

“I’m over it,” was Sarah’s only reply as she brought over two plates. She sat one down in front of her and the other along the edge at the other side. Wren noticed the cuts on the sides of both hands that extended down the wrists.

“Dude, what happened to you?” Her brows drew together, and she tried to reach out, but Sarah ignored her and went back to the kitchen to get two wine glasses. Wren looked down at the plates. Homemade bread. Nothing else. Sarah sat the wine glasses on the table and started filling one.

“Say when,” she said, pouring slowly.

“That’s good,” Wren said, beginning to feel an awkward tension between them. “You make this yourself? ”

“The bread?” Sarah asked, filling her own glass. Wren nodded. “Yep. With my very own hands.”

“I didn’t know you knew how to cook like that.”

“Seems there’s plenty we don’t know about each other.” Sarah smiled, sitting down across from her and taking a large sip from her wine. Wren stared at her. Sarah wouldn’t meet her eyes and she picked up the bread from her plate, breaking it into two pieces. “Aren’t you gonna eat?”

“What’s going on, Sarah?” Wren asked, not making any move to touch the food or the wine. “You’re acting weird.”

“Here,” she answered, handing Wren one of the halves in her hand. “It’s sweet. Promise.” Wren carefully took it, finally seeing Sarah’s eyes. There was no emotion there. No soul. Like the best friend she knew was no longer in that body. Sarah bit off a piece of her half, smirking while she chewed. Wren broke off a piece and put it into her mouth.

“It’s good.” Wren nodded, trying her best to figure out what the hell was happening.

Sarah’s arms stretched out to her sides, her head rolling to the side. “This, do in remembrance of me.” She laughed. Wren tossed the bread into the plate.

“ Communion , Sarah? What about this shit is funny?”

“Did you ever pay attention when your mom and dad dragged you to church as a kid?” Sarah said, biting off another hunk of bread and chasing it down with her wine. “That whole part was always so sad to me. Jesus was such a good dude. He loved so much. He just wanted to have one last meal with his best friends before the bad guys came to get him … you know?”

“Sounds like you paid attention,” Wren said, leaning her back against the couch behind her.

“You wanna know what the saddest part of it was, though?” Sarah asked, digging something out of her pocket. Wren’s stomach turned. Sarah tossed one coin after another onto the table. A quarter. A nickel … a dime. Their eyes met and Sarah stilled. “One of those men betrayed him.”

“Sarah …” Wren swallowed.

“Betrayed him in such a cruel way, too.” She rose onto her knees, bracing her hands on the table and leaned over to press a kiss to Wren’s cheek. “Betrayed him with a kiss.” She drew back, their faces close. Her voice was almost unrecognizable. “Isn’t that awful?”

“So, you didn’t ask me to come here because you wanted to talk about what happened with Kane.”

“No, friend.” Sarah withdrew herself and sat back down on her pillow. “Seems I’ve run out of people I can trust.”

“Well … you’ve certainly gone out of your way to call me out on it. So, what is it that you need to say?” Wren asked, crossing her arms.

“You told Brent to leave me?”

“I did.”

“Why would you do something like that?”

Wren huffed a laugh. “Because, Sarah! The prick drew you into this shit just to use you. So his father could use you . While I didn’t know that detail then, I did know that your relationship wasn’t what you wanted, and you’d be too good of a person to end it yourself. After what you’d been through, you shouldn’t have had to bear that cross .” She waved a hand over the bread on the table. “I’m not a Judas.”

“No, you’re right. You’re a Peter . You didn’t have enough faith in me to think I could handle anything on my own,” Sarah snapped.

“Like you’re handling this situation with a man that actually does love you?” Wren barked. “Look, you can call this whatever you want. If you wanna be pissed at me over what I said to Brent, then I guess I can live with that. I understand that you’re going through shit—”

“You don’t understand shit , Wren!” Sarah yelped, getting to her feet. “You don’t understand how it feels to learn that every single person in your life is either gone, wasn’t there to begin with, or left a knife in your fucking back!”

“I’ve done nothing … nothing but be here for you,” Wren seethed, standing up. Her mouth went dry, and her eyes itched with unshed tears. “I’ve been here through everything! I’ve taken days off work, I’ve slept at the hospital, I’ve killed … I’ve killed because of this, Sarah!” A tear escaped her eye. “And I’d do it all again if it meant that you were safe.” She sniffled, hurt and anger marrying each other beneath her ribs. Wren wiped her nose on her sleeve and plucked her jacket up from the arm of the couch. “Enjoy your bread,” she said sadly, swinging the door open and slamming it as hard as she could behind her as she skipped several steps before barreling out the lower door.

She couldn’t get into her car and drive off fast enough to explode with the built-up sobs that she’d buried in Sarah’s apartment. Once she was a few miles away, she rang him.

“Wren, I’m—”

“You fucking piece of shit!”

“I didn’t know.”

“I hope you get hit by a fucking bus, Brent.”

She hung up and threw her phone behind her into the back seat.

Dahlia sipped warmed blood from her wine glass as she sat naked in her claw-foot tub, Patrick rubbing lavender oils into her back. The glow from about fifty lit candles bathed her in light that made her appear far more beautiful than her rotten insides.

“Would you like to join me, pet?” she asked, a snake’s smile curling over her bare shoulder.

“You get real mad when I say no,” Patrick crooned.

She pouted callously. “That hurts. I would have thought by now that you were quite enjoying the life I’ve given you.”

“I do, mi’lady…I just—” He paused, shrugging.

“Go on.”

His eyes dipped to the bathroom floor. “It probably sounds ridiculous to somebody like yourself, but … I miss my parents. My younger brother. My friends.” He continued massaging her shoulders. “Knowing I’ll never see them again hurts sometimes.”

Dahlia tried—truly tried to find some part of herself that wasn’t empty and cold as ice. It just simply wasn’t there anymore. “If you miss them so much, then why were you trying to sneak alcohol with a fake I.D. at my bar? Alone? Looking like the last thing you wanted were those people that hurt you? Don’t I give you enough?”

“You do. I don’t want to seem ungrateful, ma’am. I wasn’t there that night because of them. I was there because of a girl.”

“One of mine?”

“No, ma’am. My girlfriend. She kicked me to the curb … we’d been together since we were kids. I just—it sucked ass … you know?” He shrugged and hung his head.

“No, I can’t say I do,” Dahlia replied. It was an honest answer, really. She’d never had real love. Didn’t know what it felt like to have her heart broken, or pine for someone. Although, she did understand and acknowledge her fondness for someone she’d sired so long ago. Someone who would practically offer her anything to be able to walk away from her and never look back. She supposed that was what had her clinging to him so desperately. What made her want to hurt him so badly. She took another sip from her glass and her phone started buzzing. Patrick wiped his hands and handed it to her.

“Yes?” she answered.

“Your murderous redhead just came and left in a hurry.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah, she looks pretty damaged. Want me to follow her? I can be a lot more discreet than Tank’s stupid ass.”

“No. I’ve no interest in her. Unless she puts herself in my way. Stay out of sight and keep watching the girl. Make no contact, do you understand?”

“Got it.”

“Oh, and Lorraine?”

“Yeah?”

“Learn to breathe through your nose. You sound like a congested animal. If you’re to be one of us, then carry yourself with a bit more pride for fuck’s sake.”

“… sorry.”

Dahlia hung up and handed the phone back to Patrick, lifting her glass back to her mouth. Years ago, this seemed more enjoyable. But as time kept passing, she found herself bored. There was an emptiness that she couldn’t seem to fill, even when she had everything she could possibly want. She had endless amounts of money, power … an entire coven sired by herself that saw to her every need—yet it still didn’t seem quite enough. There was still something missing. Something she couldn’t place that seemed so far out of her reach. Having a host to give her the impossible was a necessity now. Now that the blood in that bag had worked, she was de termined to get her hands on Sarah St. James before Conrad Stratford had a chance to reap the benefits first.

Athan had just gotten out of the shower and lit a cigarette when a knock sounded at the door. He opened it to find Rhaena standing with her arms crossed, a grim expression on her face.

“What’s wrong with you?” he asked, stepping aside to invite her in.

“We need to talk.”

“Okay?” They walked into the kitchen, and she sat down at the table. “If this is about earlier, I—”

“It’s not. It’s about Sarah.” Rhaena frowned. His stomach churned.

“What happened?”

“Wren came home really upset. Sarah asked her over for dinner and made an ass out of herself.” Athan leaned against the counter and furrowed his brows. “Apparently, Wren had mentioned breaking things off to Brent at the hospital when Sarah was still there. She found out about it and basically told Wren she’d betrayed her.”

“Well … I don’t think that’s making an ass out of herself, Rhaena … I can’t say I wouldn’t be upset about it.”

“Kane, look … I understand your feelings for her. I really do. That’s why I’m telling you this is a problem. While it might sound petty and childish, Sarah isn’t in a good place right now. We’ve got two uniforms watching her and this girl just found out that the man she loves is the one that hurt her, there’s an army out for her very blood, she’s got no family, no friends other than Wren, and that friend she feels betrayed her trust. She’s alone. She’s angry and hurt. With her behavior here lately … it gives me reason to worry about what she’ll do.”

He hadn’t considered that. He’d been too wrapped up in his own feelings about everything to see the bigger picture.

“Did she say how she found out about Wren?”

“Wren let Brent hold it on the way home. She’s pretty sure that he told her.”

“So that means they’re talking again? Why the hell would she talk to him about anything?” Athan could feel his temper rising.

“I can think of two reasons, and you won’t like either one of them.” Rhaena shrugged.

He dragged on his cigarette. “Tell me.”

Rhaena sighed deeply and ran a hand through her hair. “Well … for one, she could be reaching out because she’s pissed and wants to get a rise out of you … or to satisfy some … needs.” This wasn’t helping his temper at all. He gripped the edge of the counter until his knuckles turned white. Just the thought of that bastard touching her made him want to rage.

“And the other?” he seethed .

“The other … is that she’s trying to get him back. Revenge. She may be trying to pull some tricks to get to Conrad Stratford. Eye for an eye.”

“Shit,” Athan said, pushing off the counter and pacing into the living room with a hand on his forehead.

“Look, fortunately for you I would assume it’s the latter. Although, with how reckless she’s been lately, and she’s told both of us how difficult it is to control it … I wouldn’t put it past her to do just about anything at this point.” Rhaena’s phone started ringing. Athan watched her through the breakfast nook. “Northwood … yeah, where at?” Her eyes met his. “How long has she been there?”

“What is it?” he asked, not able to control himself anymore. He walked back into the kitchen.

“Stay with her. Call me if it gets worse. I’m gonna head that way.” Rhaena hung up the phone and dropped it to the table.

“Is it her?”

She nodded. “Blakely said she went to some strip club uptown. She’s been there for a couple hours, and she’s slammed. She’s starting to show her ass and the club owner is getting irritated.”

Athan tossed his cigarette down the drain and didn’t bother running the water. He stalked to his bedroom and grabbed his gun and his badge. Rhaena followed him. “I’m going.”

“No, you can’t. Cap wants you off duty for a few days. Let me handle it.”

“She’s gonna get hurt or arrested.”

“All the more reason for it to be me rather than you, Kane. Stay here. Don’t do anything fucking stupid.” She grabbed his forearm. “For once, could you just trust me?”

It took all he had in him. He nodded and hung his head, letting her go. When she walked out the door, he sat down on the edge of his bed. All he could think about was how much he’d hurt her. The way her eyes shone with tears that were his fault. That brilliant life that he’d taken from her and the gift she’d unknowingly given him that he still didn’t deserve. He didn’t deserve her, either. Images of that body flashed in his mind … the crime scene littered with gore and the message on the wall. The way they had cut “HA-HA-HA” into that girl’s abdomen beneath her shirt. He hadn’t even known that detail until the photos came back from the medical examiner’s office. To think that it could have been her … or would be if he didn’t step up to protect her, even if she did hate him. Off-duty or not, he couldn’t sit here and do nothing. He dug out his phone.

“I figured one of you would be calling me.”

“You can’t keep a low profile to save your fucking life, can you?”

“If you just called to rip me a new asshole, I’m really not in the mood.”

“I called because I want answers.”

“About? ”

“What did she call you about? And Stratford, if you so much as think about trying to test my patience right now, I’ll show you real quick just how little that immunity paperwork means to me.”

Brent was quiet for a moment. “She wants me to get her into the benefit for the children’s hospital that my father is holding Friday night. I debated whether or not calling you or Northwood would be a good idea, but lately I seem to be screwing shit up further, so I didn’t.”

“What’s her plan?”

“Not sure. I asked if she was gonna kill him … she said not physically. She wants to have a chat. I think she’s got something on him, but I dunno what. If she plans on exposing him, I can’t say I’d be too upset about it. I’d like to help.”

Athan clenched his teeth. “When’s the last time you spoke to her?”

“Yesterday, around noon.”

“If she calls you, I wanna know. Or call Northwood. We may need you but expect that shit as a last resort. You’ll forgive me if I don’t have a lot of trust in you, Brent.”

“Fine … so do I take her to this thing, or not?”

“Get her in. Reserve something for me and Rhaena too, but don’t say anything to her about it. Understand?”

“I’ll see what I can do.”

They hung up and Athan couldn’t sit still. He walked next door and knocked on Rhaena’s apartment door. When no one answered, he knocked again … a bit more forcefully. Wren finally opened, her makeup running and her eyes puffy and red-rimmed.

“What’s up, Count Crapula?” She smirked, wiping her nose with a wadded-up tissue. He couldn’t help but smirk back at her jab.

“Can’t say I’ve ever heard that one. You look like shit.” He pocketed his hands. Wren opened the door and let him inside.

“Rhaena said she was going over to talk to you about it. I guess I don’t have to explain myself.” She shrugged.

“Are girl fights really that serious?” They looked at each other. “Nevermind. Don’t answer that.”

“Honestly … I’m not even really upset that she’s mad. I deserve that. I’m just—she’s gone, dude. The Sarah that I used to know? She wasn’t there when I looked at her. She was like a shell that looked like her but was nothing but frost on the inside. And the way she played it was just so unlike her. It was creepy as hell.”

Athan drew his brows. “What do you mean?”

“She frickin’ made homemade bread and sat on the floor, poured wine, and had communion. Even tossed forty cents at me and got in my face. I would have been fine admitting defeat and just having a conversation about this shit with Brent, but … it was just strange.”

“Listen, Wren … don’t think for one second that I’m sticking up for the guy. I’d like to rip his face off just for looking at her but—I don’t think he meant to out you. ”

Wren leaned against the wall and crossed her arms. “Why do you think that? He’s a snake. He knows I hate him. It really didn’t shock me at all.”

“Did you know that Sarah called him yesterday?”

“… No, I didn’t. For what?”

“I called to make sure. Brent said she wanted him to get her into Stratford’s benefit for the children’s hospital. Honestly, I still don’t think the idiot knows why his daddy wants Sarah. I think she’s gonna do something stupid.”

Wren rolled her eyes and shook her head, turning her face up to the ceiling. “Christ … you know, for once … I’d like to imagine that the only thing I needed to worry about this weekend was my period.”

“Fuck me … really, Wren?” Athan snapped, shifting uncomfortably on his feet. She cackled behind her tissue. “Women …” He rubbed the back of his neck.

“So, you drink blood, but you can’t take it when somebody talks about it not coming from her neck?” She howled.

“I’m glad you find it amusing. Rhaena is definitely rubbing off on you.”

“Where is she?”

“One of the patrol officers called her about Sarah. She’s acting out at a strip club. Rhaena went to go shut it down before she gets arrested … or worse.”

Wren scoffed. “And you’re still here? I have to admit, I’m shocked.”

“I’m trying to stay on this case. After the newspapers, she’s right … as bad as I’m itching to go, if I lose my shit … I’ll lose the case and possibly this job.”

“What about the benefit?” Wren asked, narrowing her eyes.

“I think we’re on the same page, Vintorri.” He smirked.

Rhaena pulled up to the dodgy gentleman’s club on the southern edge of Boston. One of the rookies watching Sarah with Lieutenant Blakely was waiting for her at the door.

“Owner wants her thrown out. I told him you were on the way, but you better get in there before Blakely has to cuff her.”

“Thanks,” Rhaena barked, shoving past him and stepping into the smoke-filled club. It smelled like sweat, and smoke … booze and—fuck, how disgusting. Her dinner threatened to creep up her throat with her heightened senses. A thin, older gentleman in a cheap suit approached her with shaggy dark hair that was pulled back behind his head and a thick mustache that curled up on the ends. His neck revealed cogs and clocks tattooed on his skin.

Steampunk idiots. Wonderful .

“Are you the detective?” he asked. Rhaena nodded. “She’s over there eatin’ up my girls’ money. You better get her before I press some charges.”

“You don’t have any charges to press yet, sweetheart. I highly doubt one girl is gonna put you out for the evening. Why don’t you have your girls do their job, and let me do mine, yeah?”

He pressed his mouth into a tight line and Rhaena could have vomited when he basically undressed her with his eyes. “You sure you’re a detective?”

“Look at me like that again, and you’ll find out.” Rhaena curled her hands into fists. He smirked and jerked his head toward the back corner where she could just see a head of raven black hair tossing around beyond the stage. Blakely stood nearby, talking down a few of the strippers and trying to keep his eyes from dropping to their naked breasts. Indeed, the dancers were fired up about their overly friendly guest. Rhaena marched toward the commotion, careful not to touch anything around her. God only knew what was crawling around this place.

Sarah had her tattooed back turned toward her while she danced on some burly guy’s lap in nothing but her bra and unbuttoned shorts. Another man took her hand and turned her around, and she didn’t notice Rhaena as she stood, bending over and pressing her ass into the awaiting face of yet another greasy looking guy. She tossed her hair over her shoulder and smiled at the one still holding her hand. She was absolutely trashed. He handed her a rolled-up dollar bill and sat down in front of her. Rhaena was horrified to see her lean over him, ripping his buttoned shirt open and making a line of white powder on his bare chest. Before Rhaena could stop her, she lowered her face to him, the rolled bill in her nose, and snorted it.

“Sarah!” Rhaena yelled over the blaring music. She grabbed her shoulder, jerking her off the drunk bastard and earning way too much attention from onlookers when Sarah tried pulling away. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

“Chill out, traitor . It’s legal. It’s my leftover prescription from the hospital. Got my name on it and everything. They never specified what way to take them … just as needed. And they’re very needed tonight,” She slurred, grinning.

“That’s enough. Let’s go,” Rhaena spat, grabbing her arm again. Sarah jerked back. One of the dancers decided it was a good time to grow a pair of balls and the saucy little blonde interjected herself between them.

“Yes. Please. Pack it up coke-whore. Some of us actually have to work.”

“Back it up,” Rhaena warned, taking the dancers bare shoulders. She cringed at the thought of what was probably now on her hands. Sarah inched forward, swaying.

“What’s the matter, bitch? Are we upset that little ol’ me handled more dick in one night than you see in a week? Take the money. I’m only here to have fun.” She giggled. “It’s like they’re paying you to take a little breather. You should be thanking me. ”

Athan would have a circle of bodies piling up around him had he been here to see this. It was that thought that cost Rhaena the split second that it took for the little blonde to try to shove Sarah back and be met with a fist to her mouth. Money was being thrown at the two half-naked women as chaos ensued and Rhaena found herself part of the fight. Other dancers were scrambling for the discarded bills as fists flew and hair was pulled. The men went crazy for it and the club owner stood by frowning. Blakely and the rookie cop appeared, the rookie taking a swift hit to the jaw. Sarah kicked the dancer in the gut, her slim, malnourished body flipping over a small table and landing with a sound thud on the other side. Rhaena braced Sarah’s shoulders and she fought hard but was tiring out quickly.

“Sarah don’t make me do it!” she warned as Sarah’s knuckles connected with Rhaena’s collar bone. It was weak, but she wasn’t giving up. “I’m sorry …” she said through clenched teeth as she slammed her fist into Sarah’s middle. It knocked the wind out of her, and she slumped into her arms. Rhaena lowered her to the floor, flipping her over and cuffing her. “Come on, get up.” She knew Kane would lose his shit over this, and she hoped to God there weren’t any photographers hiding out in here, although many probably had video now of the whole thing whether it was allowed, or not. “Blakely!” Rhaena called as she helped Sarah to her feet. She coughed and gasped for breath. The lieutenant came to her side. “I’ve got this one. I need you to go around and make sure there’s no coverage of this shit. I don’t care if you have to snatch phones.”

“You got it.”

“You can go home afterwards. I’ll deal with her.”

“Fuck you, Rhaena.” Sarah spat blood on the floor, her busted lip a bright red.

“You brought it on yourself. Move.” Rhaena urged her forward and they pushed through a crowd of bodies toward the door.

Athan was gonna kill her. He would absolutely slay her for laying a hand on his mate. Even if they hadn’t actually determined that was a real thing. She shuddered to think of how this would have gone if he’d been here. And now, she had to figure out what to do with Sarah when they left the precinct. She would no doubt have to book her for assault, but she hoped she would be able to spare her from other charges. This was getting out of hand, and they were wasting too much time figuring out all the working parts to this case from hell. At this point, she supposed she’d rather suffer the wrath of their captain rather than whatever was awaiting her when Athan caught wind of what happened.

“Can I trust you not to puke in my truck?” Rhaena asked, helping her into the back seat. Sarah didn’t say a word, instead staring off in the other direction through half-lidded eyes. Rhaena shut the door and slid into the driver’s seat, and they started toward the precinct. She checked on her every so often in the mirror. Sarah was so quiet; she was surprised to find her still awake whenever she glanced back there. “I never meant to hurt you,” Rhaena started. “It wasn’t my place to tell you. I’ve been telling him for weeks. I understand your anger, and I’ll accept it, Sarah …but you ca n’t do this to yourself. Contrary to what you think of me right now, I do care for you.”

Sarah snorted. “You wanted him so bad. Well … now he’s yours. I don’t want any part of your little bullshit love triangle.”

“You know better than that.”

“Save it, detective. I’ve seen the nice little package you’ve been missing. I get it.”

Rhaena huffed a laugh. “No … no, you don’t.”

“Take it all. Take my best friend, my ex … the one guy I actually connected with … why stop now?” Sarah drawled, her head swaying drunkenly.

“Sarah … I’m seeing someone,” Rhaena offered. Sarah stilled, her eyes actually focusing on hers in the mirror. “I have been for a while now.”

“Well … isn’t that special.”

Rhaena didn’t answer her. The rest of the ride to the precinct was quiet.