“Looking for your sorry ass.” Parker shimmied onto the empty stool next to Devlin, sitting backward with her arms propped against the bar. She wasn’t foolish. Taking her eyes off the weres could be a deadly mistake. Even though Devlin no doubt had been watching them from the mirror over the bar, the weres were known for their seething bad tempers and retaliation. “I see you’ve made friends.”
Devlin glanced over her shoulder and grinned. “Yeah, you can say that.” She turned back toward the bar and snapped her fingers at the bartender for a refill.
“I need a favor.”
Devlin ignored the refreshed shot and glanced at Parker. Her best friend regarded her with amusement. “What else is new? Are you looking for another guinea pig to try out a new charm? Because, after the last mishap, the answer is not only no…but hell no. Find another dumbass for your science projects.”
Parker brushed her bangs out of her face and grinned. She should have taken offense to Devlin’s comment, but coming from her friend who knew her best, the truth, no matter how hard to hear, sometimes hurt. “Nothing quite that dangerous, but you have to admit, I’m getting better.”
Devlin chuckled “In your dreams, fairy. When are you going to get it through that thick skull of yours that you aren’t a witch?”
Parker shrugged at the statement. Being a half-breed, wingless fairy, outcast had always haunted her. If Devlin even knew the full story, she’d hunt down all of Parker’s old classmates and find a reason to rough them up or throw them in jail for all of the taunting and ridicule Parker had endured growing up. She knew she had identity issues, but carrying a gun helped keep her grounded, for the most part.
“Don’t judge. Fairies can be mean and backstabbing. I would rather be a witch and be all about goodness and nature.”
Devlin chuckled. “Goodness and nature, my ass. The last witch I arrested covered me in curses. It took Rachel and her coven a week to completely undo. The grass isn’t always greener on the other side. Humans, witches, fairies, and shifters… it doesn’t matter. Every species is the same; some good, some bad. But you know this already. So quit your bitching and moaning and deal with it already. Tell me the reason you’re here.”
The werewolf stood and took a step toward her and Devlin. Parker lifted her index finger and wiggled it back and forth. “Cut your losses while you can still use your legs.” Parker grinned. “Trust me on this.”
Devlin slowly spun around in her chair and lifted her brow. The werewolf took a tentative step back, and his legs bumped into the table behind him. Devlin slid off the chair, took Parker by the elbow, and steered her to the door. “What’s the favor?”
“I need a babysitter for the cop that ruined my bust and almost got himself killed. There’s no way I can investigate who’s behind the heist if I’ve got the human as a tagalong.”
Devlin pulled the bar door open and walked out under the now sunny sky. “So let me get this straight… You think I’ll have the patience to deal with some idiot who almost got himself killed. Why not just tie him up to the bed and check on him every couple of hours? I’m sure if he’s restrained he won’t be a problem.”
Parker’s head rolled forward, and she released a lengthy sigh. Only Devlin would think that kind of behavior would be acceptable. Only Devlin would even consider doing something like that. “He’s not one of your fuck buddies, Dev. I’m serious.”
Devlin shrugged. “So…make him one of yours. Exhaust him then leave him to rest. It’s a win/win, right?”
Parker shrugged. The option had merit. Would it be bad? Parker shook her head. “Needles would skin me alive.” Parker clasped her hands together in the universal sign of begging. “Please, I need your help.”
Devlin smirked and walked toward the only candy apple red convertible in the parking lot. “I would… but you know… I have this thing.”
Parker’s hands fell to her sides. “What thing?”
Devlin pointed over her shoulder. “You know… that thing… I told you about. It’s important, and it can’t wait. Why don’t you ask the witch?”
Devlin pulled the car door open and turned before getting in.
Parker narrowed her eyes and planted her palms on her hips. “I know you don’t have a ‘thing’, and Rachel’s my second choice. I’m afraid she would forget all about the assignment and only worry about getting him in the sack.”
Devlin leaned her arms on the car door and rested her chin. “How about this... If, and only if, you’re in a dire emergency… then I’ll babysit, but for no more than an hour… and…” She raised her hand. “…only if I get to beat the shit out of him if he annoys me.”
Parker clapped her hands together and squealed. “Thank you…thank you….thank you… I won’t even ask you to watch Remi.”
Devlin rolled her eyes and slid behind the wheel. “Like that would ever happen.”
She pulled the car door shut, revved her engine, and squealed her tires, leaving a trail of smoke behind the Mustang as she skidded out of the parking lot on what looked to be two wheels.
Chapter 3
Parker slowed her SUV to a roll in front of the courthouse steps, where a large crowd congregated around a makeshift stage. Ben Remington’s jaguar partner, Antonio Reyes, stood off to the side. His lethal, six-foot jaguar frame looked ready to pounce on any lawbreakers who got in his way. His dark hair was styled to perfection, and the sunglasses covering his eyes were expensive. He was one Were most shifters refrained from pissing off. Good thing Parker didn’t care...much. The man had a hard-on for Devlin and, in recent months, fought over Parker’s best friend. He was an easy target to ridicule over his mounting crush.
Parker saw the coil running down into his shirt from the ear piece in his ear. Television crews and cameras were pointed at the most outspoken member of the Paranormal Commission. The recently re-elected Commissioner, Bob Carlton, was standing behind the podium.
Parker pulled over, parked, and slid out of the SUV. She leaned back against the vehicle to hear what the politician had to say as she debated hitting the Reyes up for any new leads or information on the case.
“Every species has a given right to make sure their lines aren’t tainted. Half-breeds are going to ruin our society.” He slammed his fist against the podium. “That’s why this bill is so important.”
Rolling her eyes, Parker pushed off the vehicle and moved closer beside Reyes’ side. “This guy is an idiot. No wonder he needs security detail.”
Reyes tried to stifle his grin, but failed. “Death threats are already coming in, and he hasn’t even officially retaken office. Can you imagine if he gets this new bill signed into law? There won’t be a security detail around strong enough to ensure this asshole’s safety. I bet he’d turn up dead before the new ink on his extended contract has a chance to dry.”
Parker grinned as she nudged Reyes’ shoulders. “I have a feeling you’d win that bet. Besides I think you still owe me a night of karaoke from the last bet that you lost.”
He glanced down at her and narrowed his eyes. “Drop it, fairy, or I’ll make you my next target to replace Devlin.”
She chuckled and held up her hands in mock surrender. “I thought Needles reassigned my Devic Crystal case to you and Remington. Shouldn’t you be interrogating Sully instead of working security detail?”
Reyes’ sexy grin slipped into a frown. His expression stilled and grew serious. She knew immediately that whatever he had to tell her wasn’t going to be good news.
“Didn’t anyone tell you yet?”
“Tell me what?”
He quickly glanced at her and then returned his attention to the guy behind the microphone. “Sully’s dead. He didn’t even make it to the jail. He died in the hospital.”
Son of a bitch. Had the demon still been alive, she’d kick his ass all over again. The bastard indeed had gotten the last laugh when he took his secrets back to hell.
“I can sense your emotion, McKenna. Why isn’t this good news?”
Parker pulled out her lip gloss and soothed it over her lips.
His grin returned. “What flavor is it this time?”
She shoved the stick back in her pocket. “Cherry.” She rubbed her lips together and puckered. “Want a taste?”
He quirked his brow. “I would, but I can’t have you turning into a stage-five clinger on me. One taste and you’d be hooked for life.”
“As if…” She glanced back up to the podium and dismissed his banter. The man had reason to tease. He added the y in sexy. And, if she remembered correctly, he had a whole fan club that threw a party when Devlin, the object of his affection, had mated another shifter. Women everywhere owed Devlin gratitude for releasing Antonio Reyes back into the market. She cleared her throat. “How did the demon die?”
The playful Reyes she’d witnessed moments ago vanished into thin air, and he turned serious once again. “We’re waiting on the medical examiner’s report for the official word, but rumor has it that a nurse found him with a silver knife sticking out of his chest.”
Killed with a knife? That meant someone knew that Sully had ended up in the hospital. Someone either on her team or possibly someone watching from nearby. Either way, she needed to get a handle on who would have known about the transport. Parker gestured to the crowd in front of them. “Even more reason for you not to be here.”
Reyes cleared his throat. “This gig is a personal favor. Seems the commissioner called in a favor, and I was the only one in the office this afternoon. The chief demanded, and I obeyed. I’m heading over to the hospital as soon as I can ditch the stiff.” He glanced down at his watch. “In the next fifteen minutes. I’ve already got the crime scene secured and blocked off. I’m dealing with the crime scene, and Remington’s got the body.”
The hospital sounded like the perfect place to start looking for clues. She wasn’t on the clock yet to watch Montgomery. She’d do a quick cursory look around and maybe ask some questions before the jaguar even showed up. Parker grinned and motioned back to her vehicle.
“I’ve got to go make arrangements for my assignment, but I’ll catch up with you later.”
Reyes nodded and went back to watching the politician.
****
Parker ignored the posted speed limits to beat Reyes to the hospital and give herself at least a quick look around. She grabbed her badge and her video camera and clicked it on. She had a small window to work with. Analyzing the footage in depth would have to wait.
She hopped on the elevator and hit the button for the third floor. The top floor was the only floor set up to accommodate shifters. She lifted the camera and glanced at the viewfinder screen. The elevator dinged, and she stepped off with the camera aimed at where officers were guarding a door. She’d hit pay dirt.
She filmed the length of the hallway and everyone in it as she approached. She lifted her badge from beneath her shirt and held it up, never lowering the camera lens. “Detective McKenna, Paranormal Squad.” She glanced up at the officer and gave him one of best seductive smiles. “I’ll just be a minute.”
Had he even glanced at her badge? His lips eased into a grin as he moved to push the door open for her. “Take your time, Detective.”
She didn’t even spare another glance his way. She’d gotten into the off-limits room, moving one step closer to figuring this mess out.
She lifted the camera and scanned the room, doing a three-sixty around the walls. Satisfied, she moved to the blood-soaked bed and filmed the entire area. After that, she scanned all of the countertops and floor area, zooming in on areas of interest, which weren’t many. She inhaled a deep breath. The smell of blood laden with cleaning chemicals bombarded her nose. There was no lingering scent of shifters, nothing to indicate who’d been in the room.
She rested the camera in her hand and let her eyes scan the room. There was no broken anything, no trail of blood, nothing to indicate that there had even been a struggle of any kind. The demon must have felt safe and been caught off-guard, either that or maybe he even knew his killer. “Huh.”
It didn’t make any sense. Hell, none of it did. Even if the demon was just a lackey, why had they killed him? Unless they were worried the loosed-lip lackey might spill under interrogation.
Parker nodded, not happy the demon was dead, but really, what could she do? It wasn’t as though she could cast a spell to bring the asshole back. She left the hospital within ten minutes of arriving. If the stars aligned, Reyes wouldn’t even know she’d visited the crime scene. Well, maybe the shifter wouldn’t catch her scent.
The tension in her shoulders tightened. How could she have forgotten? She, of all people, with the super-sniffer should have remembered there wouldn’t be a way to mask her scent in the room. Crap. She grabbed her phone and dialed Remmington.
“Ready for a quickie, my fairy?”
Parker chuckled. “Not yet, but thanks for the offer. Listen, I just wanted to warn you. If you smell me at the crime scene, it’s because I went there.”
Silence met the line.
“It was my case, and I screwed it up. You have to know that I couldn’t let it go.”
“Parker…”
“I’m sorry.”
“You owe me one, McKenna.”
She giggled. “I’ll pay up.” She would but not in the way he might be expecting.
“Good.”
Parker arrived home fifteen minutes later. She strolled up onto her front porch and squatted in front of her favorite fern, picking up the latest leaves that hadn’t survived another day. The droopy plant was on its last legs, unsalvageable by even the best nurseries around. Parker wouldn’t give up. Not until every leaf fell off and the stem wilted to brown. She’d continue watering the stick in hopes of bringing it back to life. Parker placed her things on the porch swing, filled a water can, and poured it into the damp dirt in a last-ditch attempt to keep this one alive, unlike the five that had died before him. She’d made an oath to Fred. She’d love him and care for him and make sure he’d have plenty of water and sunlight, as long as he’d just try to survive.
“Perk up, Fred.” She fingered the rest of his leaves while giving him a drink of water. “I’m not going to let you die without a fight.” She pushed to her feet and replaced the watering can. She grabbed her things from the swing and shoved her key in the lock and twisted. She could hear the pitter patter of Remi’s feet against her hardwood floor. Today was no different than any other day since she’d gotten the dog. Her afternoons were met with doggie slobber and happiness.
She stepped in and pushed the door closed and took one step as her pooch, rounded the corner, almost sliding into the wall before he regained balance. She set her things down on the foyer table and squatted, letting Remi attack her face with kisses and doggy slobber.
Parker rubbed behind his ears. “Did you miss me, baby?”
Remi barked and padded away toward the kitchen, as if to show her the way. The dog had a hard-on for two things in life—his bones, really any food you put in front of him, and the other was her partner, Devlin. Remi had an unnatural interest in the short redhead and tried to hump her leg every time she walked in the door. The advances were comical, even if a little disturbing.
Parker strolled into the kitchen, otherwise known as her happy place, where she loved to cook and practice her spells. It was a modest kitchen with a kick. The coffee machine and counter space were to die for. The island in the middle of the kitchen served as a bonus. She reached for the dog food and noticed the blinking light on her answering machine. She fed Remi before hitting play.
“Don’t leave your house,” Rachel breathlessly warned on the machine. “I’m bringing him to you, and I’ll explain when I get there.” Parker stared at her answering machine until met with the dial tone.
Why on earth would she be bringing the cop to her house? The safe house was where they should have stayed…unless… Parker shook her head. “There is no way.” She tossed her hands up. “That house has never been compromised.
The wards alone would have protected it from intruders.”
Pounding on her door pulled her away from the dismal direction her mind was headed. She was still muttering, “It’s not possible,” as she pulled the door open.
“It is possible and has happened.” Rachel’s eyes widened as she pulled the detective she’d seen from the alley, in behind her. A flicker of apprehension coursed through Rachel’s eyes, a look Parker hadn’t seen in….well…ever. Parker motioned toward the living room.
“What the hell is going on?” he demanded.
Rachel held up her hand. “Please….” She gestured to the couch. “Just sit until I’m sure we weren’t followed, and I can get the proper protections in place.”
Mr. Yummy remained standing. “Protections…from what?” He reached for the back of his jeans and came up empty. “And where the hell is my gun?”
Rachel turned to Parker and rolled her eyes. “You’re going to have fun with this one.” She handed Parker a bag. “His belongings are in the bag, but the explanations are going to have to wait until I get the wards in place.”
“Wards? Are you serious? My house and property already have a protection spell on them. I should know, I put them there.”
Rachel placed her hands on Parker’s shoulders. “No offense, Parker, but mine will be stronger, and you’re going to need wards as strong as we can muster.”
Rachel hurried to the kitchen and out of sight. One look at the detective reminded Parker that this human…well, fairy, she reminded herself…didn’t have a clue what the hell was going on. She gave him a half-hearted smile meant to appease and soothe him, but in reality, it probably just confused him. “I’m sure she has a good explanation. Let me see if I can figure out what is going on.”
Parker moved into the kitchen and leaned against the doorframe watching Rachel scurry around in a panic, pulling all kinds of things out of the cupboards. The air vibrated with nervous energy as Rachel moved around the kitchen, grabbing supplies and mumbling something Parker couldn’t hear under her breath.
Not My Shifter/ Sinfully Cursed (Shifter Paradise) (Volume 1) Page 13
