Why would she cover up that tattoo? Was she embarrassed by it? It had been done well, as far as I could tell. The lines were delicate, so it was the kind of tattoo that was supposed to be touched up every couple of years, though it looked as if no one had ever done so.
Not only that, if she needed the gym to shower at night… Where was she staying?
Not safe, a little voice in my head whispered. I turned the speed on the treadmill up and ignored it.
It was none of my business.
I repeated that thought over and over as I went through the rest of my workout, doing enough sets and reps of my weight lifting that even my supernaturally strong body felt exhausted by the time I was done.
I was halfway through my final set when a voice cut through my inner mantra. “You’re certainly going hardcore tonight.”
I set the barbell on its hook and sat up to find Santi standing at the end of the bench.
“Santi,” I greeted him in my usual monotone. “Are you not working tonight?”
Santi worked as a bartender at The Dive and usually only came to the gym in the afternoon.
“Nah, not tonight,” he said as he began to unclip the barbell, lifting the weights three at a time with ease. “You using this?”
Aside from his unnaturally aquamarine eyes, Santi looked completely human. I knew better, though. TheDel Marwere one of the rare breeds of monsters that were two natured, meaning he could shift at will.
Like Heath, Monstrous Ink’s werewolf apprentice, Santi had two forms. One that looked completely human, and the other looked something like the creature from the deep. I’d only ever seen it once when a group of rowdy vampires was harassing one of the waitresses and he’d kicked them out.
“It’s all yours,” I told him as I stood and stretched until I felt every bone in my spine pop.
Santi hummed under his breath, running a hand through his inky black curls. “We’ve been going to the same gym for a decade and you’re still just as friendly as you were on day one.”
“Sorry, I’m made of stone, so not very changeable,” I said with a shrug. “Have a good workout.”
I left Santi behind and headed back to the locker room to collect my bag. Normally after my workouts I’d shower at home, but the sweat rolling down my skin was making me feel uncomfortable.
Or at least, that’s what I was telling myself as I stepped into one of the taller showers and turned the water on full blast.
The shampoo and conditioner were on the walls and I pumped out a healthy amount and began to wash my hair. It was the same scent that clung to Daphne’s hair and skin earlier.
My chest buzzed uncomfortably again, like I had a hive of bees trapped underneath my ribs.
I ignored it, hurrying through my shower.
“Enough,” I said out loud, my voice echoing off of the tiled walls. I didn’t have time to worry about the little human right now. I needed to head back and make sure all of the animals were set for the night and then I had enough emails to respond to that would make a corporate drone sob.
Whatever was going on with Daphne was none of my business. I didn’t need to get involved.
Eight
“And there hasn’t been any news or missing persons reports at all?” I asked as I tucked my phone into the crook of my shoulder. As I listened, I began to shove the towels up inside of Peep’s windows in order to settle in for the night.
The beach was busier than usual with what looked like college students having a bonfire on the beach. I could still hear their roaring laughter as they drank beer and had the time of their lives.
“No, there hasn’t been a peep out of him.” Wendy sounded just as confused as I felt. “Reggie drove by the house yesterday and he’s going to work business as usual despite the goose egg on his head. Good job on that, by the way.”
“I didn’t do it on purpose, Wen,” I murmured, my insides twisting with anxiety. Why hadn’t he reported me missing or even filed a police report that I’d assaulted him?
He certainly had enough credibility with the local police department. There had to be some kind of angle he was playing at. The very thought sent a cold shiver down my spine.
“Even still, asshole got what was coming to him,” Wendy growled viciously into the phone.
That brought a smile to my face. “I think your husband is rubbing off on you.”
