“I can see you’re a man of many words.” Felix grins, stepping back.
My eyes move to Salena. “Yes.”
Kai snickers and motions for me to follow him. The four of us make our way over to the front door of the building where a ginger tabby cat lay. It’s been placed in a manner that suggests the person who left it wanted to gain maximum attention. The cat was not simply killed, it was skinned, its stomach cut open.A single word is written in its blood across the door:Leave.
Rage courses through me so hot and hard, I struggle to contain the tremble in my hands. I curl my hand into a fist, acid burning my stomach. I spent years learning to control this shit. To curb the violence that would send me spiraling. As I crouch down, getting closer to the cat, I sense Salena approaching me.
“Can we clean it up now?” she grumbles.
“Do you know who left this?” I ask.
When no one answers, I stand, making Salena take a step back. I turn and stare down at her, the look on her face making my chest tighten. Possession coils through me. I want to shield her from this.
“No,” she finally replies after several seconds.
“Enemies?” I ask, doing my best to stay calm and focused as I wait for her reply on who the fuck I’m hunting down.
Kai scoffs and Felix elbows him in the ribs, a scowl on his face. You can tell they’re siblings even though they have slightly different colorings. Felix looks more like Salena. They have about the same hair and eye color. But Salena’s hair is a brighter silver, her features more sharp.
I raise an eyebrow and glance down at Salena.
“Nope,” she replies, popping the p.
“Right . . . And that tattooed guy from a few nights ago?” I ask.
Salena frowns. “Reaper?” She raises her hand, waving me off. “No, not him. I would’ve smelled him.”
Her expressive turquoise eyes widen and her brothers both startle.
“Okay, then. Well, I can make a note of it and take some photos, but there isn’t much else to be done. If anything happens, it's best to have a paper trail.”
Salena nods, her bottom lip clenched between her teeth. My eyes are glued to it. I want to suck her lip from between her teeth and bite down on it myself. My fingers twitch to reach up and touch her. It’s like everything else melts away and it’s just us.
I register movement in my periphery, and blow out a breath, steadying my heartbeat. Without another word, I walk over to the car and grab the camera. Best to get some proper pictures. I study the poor cat. Whoever did this was not right in the head, this poor creature has suffered greatly. Once I’m done, I pack up my stuff and make my way over to where they’re standing.
“I’m done. If you think of anything, let me know.”
Kai steps forward, shaking my hand again. “Thanks man, I appreciate it.”
“Was nice to meet you, Logan,” Felix says with a boyish smile.
Salena tucks her hands in her pockets and looks at the ground. I hear her brother’s intake of breath and frown. Salena’s eyes dart up to them, and then look to me. “Thanks, Detective.”
“Anytime,” I reply gruffly.
Chapter Ten
Salena
Iturnonmybrother the second Logan’s car is out of sight. “Why would you call him?” I snap. I do my best to control my anger, but the minute I noticed Logan pull into the bar my stomach dropped.
Kai runs a hand over his head, looking sheepish. “I thought–”
Flustered, I step back. “No, you didn’t think at all. We handle our own shit, Kai. Not the cops.”
“I didn’t call the cops. I called Logan,” he volleys back, clearly annoyed with my response. He thought he was being helpful. Well, this isn’t helping.
“We handle our own shit, Kai,” I growl.
