Chapter Forty-One
Enzo
Flanagan. Every instinct screamed at me to walk in there and end him—drain him dry and be done with it. But that would start a war with the human police we couldn't afford.
However, if he tried to take Joy from me, if he tried to separate us again after everything we'd been through, then Flanagan could meet the bayou alligators up close and personal.
Joy's hand fisted in my shirt, her eyes searching mine. "Enzo, don't do anything stupid. Please."
I bent down and kissed her, forcing myself to focus on her lips, her scent, her presence. The touch grounded me, pulled me back from the edge.
“I promise I won’t.” I hesitated, my hand lingering on hers. The thought of leaving her—even for a few minutes—made my chest tighten. What if something happened while I was gone? What if she was taken again? I left her and pulled on vampire speed, showering quickly before changing into clean clothes. If Flanagan was watching, he’d only see a quick blur.
I came down the stairs, exhaustion weighing on every step. I was tired—bone-deep, soul-tired—and all I wanted was to collapse with Joy in my arms. Instead, I had to deal with this.
I entered the living room where Flanagan and another officer were waiting. Flanagan was stiff and his arms crossed defensively. The other one—younger, in a crisp suit—seemed relaxed, almost casual.
Angelo glanced up at me as I entered. “We have an interesting development, Enzo.”
Flanagan cleared his throat. "I was sent to inform you that you're no longer under suspension for the murders of Maximo Barone or Gloria Stenson."
I cocked an eyebrow.
"Let me introduce myself," the other detective said. He was about twenty years younger than Flanagan, with a full head of hair as opposed to Flanagan, whose face was turning red. "I'm Detective Joseph Bradford. Due to an internal affairs investigation, we've discovered improprieties in our department beginning with Captain Boudreaux. We've determined that he planted evidence against you. Unfortunately, he's gone missing."
Missing. I kept my face carefully blank. Boudreaux—or rather, Faas wearing Boudreaux's stolen identity—had fled through the portal back to the Dark Demon citadel in Colorado. The humans would search forever and find nothing, because their "captain" had never been human at all.
Flanagan flashed Bradford a furious gaze but kept his mouth shut.
I understood now. Bradford was forcing Flanagan to deliver an apology that must have stuck in his craw. A smile tugged at my lips. Satisfaction settled warm in my chest. Watching Flanagan squirm might actually make this worthwhile.
“If we find any more information about Captain Boudeaux, we will contact you,” Detective Bradford said. “Good day.”
Flanagan followed Bradford out the door like a beaten cur. He’d be back and we’d tangle with him, but for now, I didn’t have the murder charges sticking to me.
Angelo glanced at the departing detectives, then back to me. "Didn't see that coming." His expression shifted to business. "I've spoken with Elena. Dinner's at eight. Serenity has an announcement—she wouldn't tell me what. You and Joy need to be there."
An order dressed up as a suggestion.
"We'll be there," I said automatically. But even as the words left my mouth, I was already thinking about how to get out of it. I had other plans for tonight—ones that involved Joy and absolutely no one else.
I took the stairs two at a time and nearly collided with Steve and Joy at the top. I could smell fresh soap and her hair was damp. She must have showered. She'd changed from her torn dress into jeans and a black shirt—still beautiful, still mine, but still injured. She needed rest, the kind only I could give her.
She threw herself into my arms. "Enzo, what happened? Are you okay?"
I pulled her close, breathing her in. "The police are gone. They discovered Boudreaux planted the evidence. I'm cleared."
"Thank god." Her hands framed my face, her eyes searching mine. Love shone in those dark depths—undying, fierce, unwavering. “It's really over?"
"It's over," I confirmed.
Steve clapped my shoulder, grinning. "Hell of a day for good news."
I didn't take my eyes off Joy. "Steve, I need a moment alone with your sister."
"Say no more." He headed downstairs, whistling.
I lifted her into my arms and carried her to my room, kicking the door shut behind us. I inhaled her soft scent. Desire surged through me, hot and demanding. I needed her-now.
