Grayson seemed to hesitate. He looked up at Reece, his head on the pillow, damp hair a deeper brown against his forehead. He looked younger than usual, his real age, same as Reece’s. And for just that moment, Reece thought maybe he wasn’t seeing only the emotionless void but Grayson’s real eyes, the red threaded around hazel, the bags underneath. Not a scary urban legend; just a tired man with too much weight on his shoulders.
“Maybe I did,” Grayson finally said. “Maybe you deserve to hear that your sister’s not the only one in your family who got brainsandlooks.”
Reece let out a surprised laugh. That was not the response he’d expected.
Andthatwas a compliment.
He climbed into the bed and flipped off the last light. He didn’t have a lot of blankets, but he had the soft sweatshirt, and had turned the heat up enough for Grayson to be comfortable, which had made the studio cozy and warm. The city lights were sparkling through the big windows, those pinpoints of red, yellow, orange, and blue. “I bet you say that to all the empaths.”
“All the ones who have my number.”
Son of a bitch. Reece fought off the pleasant shiver that had just danced over him, light as a caress. Grayson’s voice was softer and quieter, the lack of emotions camouflaged, and in the dark the deep drawl seemed so intimate it had left goose bumps on Reece’s skin. “How many is that?”
There was a beat.
“One.”
One.
“I’m the Dead Man,” Grayson said. “Empaths don’twantmy number. Most empaths, at any rate. The ones with sense.”
Reece bit his lip before he could smile.
Having Grayson only feet away made him feel better all the way to his bones. Grayson wouldn’t let him hurt anyone. Grayson would keep everyone safe. For the first time since March, Reece felt like he could actually sleep.
He cleared his throat. “So then I’m also the only empath with your numberandyour hoodie? Does that mean we’re going steady? Because if we’re going steady, you should let me drive your truck tomorrow.”
“Good night, Reece,” Grayson said pointedly.
Reece let out a soft breath and closed his eyes. “Thanks, Evan,” he whispered, knowing Grayson would hear it and understand.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
It will never matter that the empaths, in their original state, abhor violence; all of them have the potential to evolve into killers. The fact of the matter is, we can wait like scared rabbits for the pacifists to turn on us, or we can prepare to fight back.
We must be ready to defend ourselves: there’s no cost too high to pay.
—PARTIALLY BURNED NOTE FOUND IN THE ASHES OF A LABORATORY
The quiet ringwoke Jamey instantly, years of sleeping lightly and responding to emergency calls jolting her awake. She grabbed her phone and silenced it before it woke Liam, who was sprawled on his back next to her, fast asleep since they’d gotten back from Port Angeles only a few hours ago.
Holding the phone to the side so the screen light wouldn’t be in his face, she glanced at the caller ID. Lieutenant Parson?
It wasn’t even six a.m. Whatever Parson was calling about, it wasn’t good news. She quickly got to her feet, slipping out of the bedroom and into the hall before answering.
“Lieutenant,” she said, keeping her voice down. “What’s going on?”
“Jamey, it’s Stensby.” Parson’s voice was muffled, like he was calling from a car, and he sounded shaken. “They just found his cruiser crumpled and smashed out by Lake Sammamish.”
Jamey’s breath left her in a rush. A complicated flood of emotions tore through her: years of working closely together intertwined with the betrayal of learning he’d lied to her and tried to hurt her brother.
She stepped into the kitchen and leaned back against the counter. “Was he in it?”
“No.” Parson was a little hoarse. “No one has seen Stensby since an AMI dinner yesterday evening.”
Jesus. Was Jamey’s mystery caller involved? Responsible? “I don’t understand,” she said. “I’m not on the force anymore. Why are you calling me?”
“I don’t know what kind of friends you’ve made since you left,” Parson said tightly. “But Stensby’s disappearance has been flagged for forces higher than the SPD. And I’m supposed to give you whatever help you want.”
