“Do they think he did something?” Iris asked.
“He’s currently their main suspect in the disappearance of Ava March.”
“And she is?” Frank prompted.
“We don’t have that information,” Brantley stated. Looking at Trey once more, he added, “Unless you do.”
Trey immediately looked at the floor, recalling the one and only time he’d been introduced to the woman.
He’d gone to Magnus’s house on New Year’s. Not one of his finer moments, no, but he’d gone in an attempt to show Magnus he was capable of making the first move when it was warranted. What he found when he arrived had weighed heavily on his mind since then.
He pulled the door to Camp K-9’s small office open slowly, trying to avoid making the bell overhead ring and announce his presence, then came to an abrupt halt at the scene before him.
There was Magnus, his arms around a woman, her head resting on his shoulder. She appeared to be distraught. Crying. But the way Magnus was holding her … it was…
Trey didn’t know how to describe it, but it reminded him of the fact that Magnus was openly bisexual, that he enjoyed both men and women and made no apologies for it.
Magnus must’ve heard him because he turned his head, peering over and meeting Trey’s gaze briefly. He didn’t release the woman, waiting for her to calm down.
Trey had plenty of time to leave, to walk right back out the door and into the night. It would’ve been easy to get in his truck, go home, pretend this never happened. He could avoid Magnus, use this as an excuse to put an end to their intimate encounters. But something kept him there, had him watching the way Magnus’s hand cradled the back of the woman’s head, his fingers tucked into her sleek golden-blond hair in a gesture that spoke of intimacy that went far beyond friendship. Who was she? Why was she here?
He met Magnus’s gaze, tried to read him, to gauge what was going on here, but he couldn’t. Their eyes locked and held for long moments, but neither of them spoke. It was in those few brief seconds that an image flashed in Trey’s mind, vivid and clear. Magnus with this woman, the two of them naked, Magnus pushing inside her, slow, deep strokes as they panted and moaned. Trey felt his body heat, the mental image making his cock thicken in his jeans.
Christ. Was he turned on by the thought of Magnus with a woman?
“I’m sorry,” the woman mumbled softly, stepping back. “I shouldn’t be here, I know.”
Magnus released her, his hands sliding to her arms, going downward until he was holding her hands. “Don’t ever be sorry. I’m always here if you need me.”
She sobbed softly, then pulled away, wiping her eyes with the heels of her palms.
Trey cleared his throat, trying to announce his presence without scaring her. It didn’t stop her from jerking around, her eyes slamming into him.
It was then Trey noticed she had a swollen lip and what looked to be a black eye forming. If it hadn’t been for those marks, she would’ve been possibly the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. Her delicate features were smooth, rounded, her eyes a brilliant blue. She looked young. Early- or maybe mid-twenties. Young and innocently beautiful.
He instantly shot a look to Magnus.
“Ava, this is Trey Walker. Trey, Ava March. She’s … a friend.”
“Are you all right?” Trey asked on instinct, pained by the sight of her face. It was clear someone had hit her, and they hadn’t pulled the punch, either.
Ava sniffed, her voice soft, sweet when she said, “Yes. I’m sorry for comin’ here.”
“No, you’re not,” Magnus countered, taking her arm and pulling her back to him. “I think you should stay here tonight. You can sleep in my bed. I’ll bunk out here.”
Ava was shaking her head. “I can’t do that.”
“You can and you will.” Magnus met Trey’s gaze, something that looked a lot like a dare flashing in his eyes.
What? Did Magnus think Trey was going to get upset? He had no claim to the man. If he wanted to have this woman … this stunningly beautiful, thismuch-closer-to-Magnus’s-age-than-Treywoman to sleep in his bed, who was he to stand in his way?
Ava pulled back again, wiping her eyes and steeling her spine as she glanced over at Trey momentarily, then turned her attention back to Magnus. “I appreciate it.”
Magnus nodded. “Go on in the house, get settled. I’ll check on you in a little while.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” Ava said as she stepped toward the door.
Trey moved out of the way, forced a smile. “Likewise.”
