Page 8 of Immortal Unveiled

“You’re the only normal person on that forum. That’s why I’m telling you to watch out.”

“I will.”

“Good, and oh, almost forgot: what’s the guy’s name?”

“Manus.”

“Manus what? No last name?”

“I didn’t give him my last name either.”

“Okay then. Call me in ninety minutes or I’m mobilizing the troops.”

“Thanks, Jennifer.”

“And Kim?”

“Yes?”

“Don’t expect too much. I don’t want you to be all crushed again when it turns out that this guy doesn’t know anything useful either. Promise me that.”

“Promise,” she said quickly and ended the call before Jennifer could say anything else.

Still, Kim couldn’t tamp down her excitement. She had to continue believing that she could solve her mother’s murder. She owed it to her. And she needed the closure because even three months after her mother’s death, the pain was as raw as on the first day.

~ ~ ~

Manus recognized Nancy Britton’s daughter the moment she entered the coffee shop though the picture in her file didn’t do her justice: Kim was no woman to be overlooked. She was beautiful in that mysterious way that could drive a man insane. Not him, of course, because he’d had plenty of beautiful women and considered himself immune to their charms. Sure, he’d fuck them, but that didn’t mean they could lure him into a relationship.

No, not even the thought of looking into those sky-blue eyes and feeling that black hair caress his face while she rode him into oblivion would make him reconsider—no matter how hard his cock was growing under the table just by thinking of the possibility of passing time with Kim between the sheets.

Fuck, this was bad!

Manus shook his head. Better cool down. He was here to do a job, and he would do it. And nothing more.

Making sure his jacket covered the front of his pants, he rose and waved to Kim. She’d told him that she would be wearing a red top, so he pretended to recognize her by her clothing.

She looked at him, hesitated for a moment, then slowly walked toward him. She stretched out her hand. “Manus?”

“Kim?” He took her hand and shook it, then released it quickly before the touch could reignite his cock.

He motioned to the chair opposite his. “Thanks for coming.”

When she sat down, Manus took his seat again and rested his folded hands on the tabletop. For a moment, there was an awkward pause.

“I’m so glad you replied to my thread on the forum,” Kim started. “I have so many questions.”

There was definite excitement in her voice, and for a second, he regretted that he would have to squash that glimmer of hope that it represented. But it was for the good of his people, and first and foremost, he had to protect his race.

“Yes, I’m sure. But before I answer any of your questions, do you mind telling me in more detail what happened and what you’ve seen? I want to make sure we’re on the same page and actually talking about the same phenomenon.” He pasted a smile on his lips, making sure to look open and receptive so she wouldn’t suspect that he was about to deceive her.

“Yes, of course, sure. Uh, where do I start?” She appeared a little nervous. Her face was flushed. “It’s not easy for me to talk about it. You know, losing your mother, losing her in such a violent way… there aren’t the right words to describe that.” She stared right at him. “Do you understand?”

Manus understood only too well. The pain of losing a parent never vanished, no matter how many years passed. He put his hand on her forearm before he knew what he was doing. He felt a tiny jolt, but then Kim smiled at him, and their eyes locked.

“I’m sorry,” she murmured. “How long has it been for you?”

Manus’s chin dropped. How could she know? “Many years.” Too many years to count.