Chapter 5
Ronni moved in time with the beat, barely keeping from laughing out loud at the sheer exhilaration of feeling alive. The tempo was fast, which was good since she’d quickly discovered she couldn’t slow dance with another man.
Her skin had flared like she’d been on fire.
Stupid mating allergy.
For now, she moved with Lance, both of them surveying the bar that was closed for the private party. Cops danced around them while many drank at round tables set throughout the place.
So far, she hadn’t gotten a sense of anybody wanting to hurt her.
Her abilities were already sharper, thanks to the mating. Maybe she’d even become psychic? She’d have to ask Jared if that was possible. At this point, she’d believe anything.
The bar was dark with small red lights throughout, but the floor was clean and easy to dance on with her three-inch spiked heels. She paid special attention to Dr. Counts, the medical examiner, who drank quietly in the corner. He was around forty years old, with long blond hair and deep green eyes. Rumor had it he was dating a cop from Boston. Every once in a while, their gazes would meet and awareness would prick her. She wasn’t sure with what…or if it was in her head.
Warning whispered across her arm, raising goose bumps. She turned, and Jared Reese stood in the doorway. Even across the rockin’ bar filled with cops, his displeasure rode the air.
She stumbled.
Lance reached for her arm.
Jared’s lips peeled back. Adrenaline flashed through her veins. “I’m okay.” She moved away from Lance and toward Jared out of pure instinct. She reached him in seconds. “What are you doing here?”
He grasped her bicep, his face an implacable mask. But those eyes burned. Hot and furious, they swept her short red dress and wild hair. “I told you to stay home.”
Confusion clouded her vision for the briefest of moments. “Huh?”
“Dr. Alexander?” Lieutenant Smalt moved toward her, his gait graceful, his gaze on Jared’s face.
“Yes, Lieutenant?” Ronni asked, forcing a smile as her former boss moved closer. She’d always thought he was tall, but next to Jared, he seemed almost minute. And skinny. At about sixty, he had silver hair and intelligent brown eyes, and right now they took in everything about the vampire next to her.
“Is everything all right?” Smalt asked.
Her smile almost faltered. “Of course. Lieutenant Smalt, this is Jared Reese. My, ah, boyfriend.” Calling Jared a boyfriend was like calling a jaguar a kitty cat.
The lieutenant held out a hand. “Nice to meet you.”
Jared shook it, keeping hold of her with his other hand. “Congratulations on the retirement,” he said smoothly.
So he’d spent a little time investigating her evening, now had he? She was going to kill Olivia.
“Thank you,” Smalt said, looking from one to the other. “It’s nice to see you feeling better, Veronica. We’ve been so worried.” His stance was relaxed, but his gaze didn’t soften.
Yeah. The man could sense a predator when one was near. Ronni leaned into Jared to defuse the situation. “I just needed rest. The illness really took a toll. I’m better now.”
“I checked the status of your case, and they still haven’t identified the poison,” Smalt said. “Any updates I haven’t seen?”
Jared stiffened to rock next to her.
“No.” Ronni swallowed. They’d decided to keep the possible connection to Walt’s murder quiet until they solved it. “No leads, and if I continue to get better, no autopsy on the heart.”
“Well, that’s good news.” Smalt waved across the room at a retired group gesturing for his attention. He slapped Jared on the back. “Nice to meet you. Take good care of our doctor here.”
“I plan on it,” Jared returned.
Ronni fought a shiver. When Smalt moved, she tried to edge away from Jared.
He didn’t let her. “Let’s talk outside.” Without waiting for an answer, he drew her out the door and into the billowing snow. He glared at the storm. “Not here.”
