I lifted my hand and pointed a finger, flipping to the next man. And then the next man. And the next one. This continued until I paused when Rune and Megan entered the den hand-in-hand.
“Hey, bastard. Looks like you’ve got an intuitive mate! I heard what your mate thinks is going on,” Rune stated in greeting. They walked forward, and he high-fived me with his free hand. “Nice work, little lady.”
I shrugged. “It’s just a theory. It’s probably wrong.”
“But it’s a different theory than we already had, and we were running low on a supply of new ones,” Megan chirped. She and Rune took the love seat to my left, her eyes gazing at the hologram. “What are you doing now?”
Alaric supplied, “She’s looking to see if she recognizes any shifters. They’re potential Mr. Valentines.”
All ignored Jonathan sitting next to me.
I glanced in his direction.
Jonathan was merely staring out a window, apparently used to the silent treatment and not even being greeted by those he knew. The assassin led a lonely life. I wondered if he had any friends—any real friends. I had been that person before, had been most of my life. Self-imposed solitude was a blessing and curse.
I leaned toward him, and stated honestly, “Jonathan, thank you for what you’re doing. I’m not sure if you heard about what happened to me, but I appreciate your hard work to catch him. It makes me feel safer knowing you’re on our side.”
The rest of the room went silent, all conversation abruptly cutting off to stare at me as if I had a third eye winking at them.
Jonathan’s eyes swiveled in my direction. His gaze traveled over my features, gauging my words, and then he dipped his head to me. “You’re most welcome, Mrs. Wood. I try to help our people in the best way I can.”
I smiled, a real one for the first time with him. I patted his leg with the hand not holding my plate, and murmured, “That is very kind of you.”
“My work is not kind.”
“Oh, I know. But it’s still kind of you to look out for those who can’t—or won’t—to make it safer for us to live peacefully.”
His blink was unhurried, and then a smile spread across his features. It was real and pleased, surprised by the attention. “Thank you, Mrs. Wood.”
I shook my head. “Call me Faith.” I nudged his shoulder with mine. “We’re buds now. First name basis only.”
“All right, Faith.”
I smirked. “Okay, I’m going to get back to checking out shifters.”
His lips twitched. “You’re not supposed to say that in front of your husband.”
Ah! He had a sense of humor.
I laughed and flicked the screen again, returning to my work on bastard hunting. Though my eyes flicked to my husband, gauging his reaction to my banter with the killer.
A small smile graced his lips, his eyes gentle.
I winked at him, and then went back to flipping.
