As he neared the station house, he beat down the beast inside him, the one eager to see Mariah again. Inside, he was conflicted, so joyous his insides quivered, and so hungry his gums itched, his fangs readying to descend.
Mariah. Dear, innocent, lovely…delicious…Mariah.
Over the years, he’d managed to rewire his brain, always on the hunt for prey or a vengeful score. Dark excitement replaced the loneliness clawing inside him. Until one date on the calendar began to consume his thoughts. The nearer he drew to their anniversary, the more he fought that internal battle. He knew he should leave her alone. Free her permanently. He was bad news, and he still loved her and wanted to keep her safe. But the part of him that flailed in anguish over the loss of his human life still clung to the ridiculous hope that somehow, someday, he’d find a way for them to be together.
He pulled into the underground garage and flashed his badge at the inattentive sentry manning the entrance. In seconds, he ran up of the flight of stairs, not wanting to wait for the elevator. He found Moses pacing the hallway outside the line of interrogation rooms.
Moses halted and gave him a furious glare. “She’s got her ring. And a newspaper article. She thinks she’s been roofied or brainwashed.”
Viper gave a quick nod, not even attempting to pretend he didn’t realize he’d left behind a clue during his last visit. “Where is she?”
With a jerk of his thumb, Moses pointed at a door. “Your head on right, bro?”
“Fuck, no,” Viper muttered, but he raked a hand through his hair, straightened his shoulders, and turned the doorknob.
Moses grabbed his forearm before he pushed open the door. “What are you plannin’ to do?”
Viper kept his head down, not wanting his friend to see his expression. He knew he only had one course of action, but he planned to make the most of this encounter anyway. “Moses, let me see her. Find out where her head’s at. She’s been living in a cloud for years.”
“Your fault, buddy,” Moses bit out.
Pain stabbed his heart. “I know.”
“What are you gonna do?” his friend repeated.
Viper raised his head. “I don’t know.”
Moses’s expression softened. “The way you live, the company you keep…” He shook his head.
Viper’s jaw tightened. “I robbed her of everything,” he whispered. “Even her ambition. She’s a shell of the creature she used to be. How would you feel if it was you, Moses?” His grip tightened. “Living half a life. Everything she was led her to that night. I’ve kept her safe but, maybe, I was wrong to deny her the truth.”
“Gonna give it all back? She might hate you.”
He remembered her sweet forgiveness, how she’d surrendered herself to his bite. Every time, in the short term anyway, she’d said she understood. However, if she knew everything and had time to think about what his decision had meant for her life as a whole, she might not be so forgiving. “Maybe, letting her see that life, letting her follow her instincts—maybe that path will set her free.”
Moses’s fingers tightened for a second, and then he dropped his hand. “I’m gonna get a cup of sludge. She’s all yours.”
When his partner turned away, Viper drew a deep breath and entered the room.
Chapter Five
‡
Mariah glanced up as the door to the interrogation room whooshed open. Detective Brown wasn’t who strode inside.
For a second, her heart stuttered as she gazed at the man entering the room. He was tall, likely Hispanic by the darkness of his short hair and eyes, and the natural tan color of his skin. So, apparently, she had a thing for Latin men, because she couldn’t help noticing how attractive he was.
She couldn’t help thinking he might be even more attractive if he let his hair grow out. The military-short sides and curly, thick top were nice, but he’d be luscious with longer hair. She shook her head to get rid of those thoughts and frowned. “Where’s Detective Brown?”
“Getting a cup of coffee,” the man said.
His deep voice sent a shiver over her skin. Mariah placed her hand over the wedding band hanging beneath her shirt. She didn’t need the distraction of the handsome police officer. She had questions she needed answered. But something about him was familiar. “Have we met before?”
His expression didn’t change, but he did blink. Slowly.
Like he was preparing to lie. Which sharpened her senses. She narrowed her gaze on his face. “We have. But I didn’t know you were a cop.”
“We met at The Cavern,” he said after a short nod. “You were writing an article for some magazine—”
“Newspaper. The Times. Blood rituals, or something like that.” She shook her head, wondering why nailing the details was hard. She never forgot a lead or a story. “The Cavern.” She sucked in a quick breath. “It’s a night club. But I thought you were the manager.”
“A friend owns it.” He shrugged. “He’s out of town.”
That information felt familiar. The story didn’t matter. Neither did his occupation. “Anyway, did Detective Brown tell you why I’m here?”
“You’re looking for someone. Is this person…close to you?’
She huffed. “He didn’t tell you everything, then.” She hated having to repeat a story that sounded crazy to her own ears. Stick to the facts! “A week ago, I woke up wearing this.” She paused to reach behind her neck and unclasp the necklace she wore. Slowly, she pulled the ring from beneath her shirt and held it out.
His fingers curled on the table top before he reached for it.
Why did he tense up?
Again, he slowly blinked and eyed the ring.
“An inscription is etched…inside,” she whispered, as a blush heated her face before she continued. “I don’t know…or remember…any Danny.”
“The night before… Were you drinking?”
She inhaled sharply. “I’m not a partier. I don’t go to clubs.”
“And yet, we met at The Cavern.”
Mariah didn’t like that he’d put her on the defensive. She frowned. “I was there to research a story.” The arch of his brow indicated he thought her explanation flimsy.
“I just told you I’m a reporter for the Times.”
His gaze dropped to the ring again. “What do you remember of the night before you discovered the ring?”
She shook her head. “Not much. I came home. I didn’t have any plans to go out…” To regain her composure, she drew a deep breath. “But I must have. I found clothing I don’t remember putting on. And I think…” She pressed her lips together before revealing the most disturbing fact in a soft voice. “I think I had sex.”
“You think?”
“I felt…different. And…” She reached for her purse, pulling out the baggie with the dirty tissue. “I collected DNA on this. I know I should have gone to the hospital for a rape kit, but I didn’t feel…” Hell, how could she admit she didn’t feel like she’d been raped. Not after how happy she’d felt for that first second after she’d woken up. “Anyway, I’ll take care of this myself.”
The dark-haired man held out his hand and took the baggie. His jaw tensed. “You don’t remember having someone in your bed?”
The backs of her eyes burned from tears she refused to shed. “That’s…correct. I don’t remember inviting anyone over. And I’m not like that…”
“So, you think someone may have drugged you?”
She shrugged, suddenly wanting to slide down in her seat and hide because she didn’t want to be that girl, someone who’d been stupid enough to allow herself to be drugged and then used.
His jaw tightened, and his fingers closed around the baggie. “I’ll send this to the lab,” he said. “And I’ll get back to you. It could take a while. Despite what you see on police shows, test results usually take weeks.”
“I understand.” She nodded several times in quick succession. “And thank you, for listening. But there’s more. I think this may have happened s
everal times.” And now she felt like one of those people talking to the tabloids about alien abductions. He’d never believe her. Detective Brown had been quick to palm her off on this guy after he’d heard the rest. “I was…agitated and angry, after what happened. I spent last weekend cleaning out old files, calendars…”
She let her gaze drop away as her stomach balled in a knot, because she didn’t want to see his expression when she related the rest. Would he roll his eyes? Would his mouth twitch as he held back a laugh? She knew how nuts everything sounded, and this part was the craziest. “I flipped through old calendars and found the same exact date, the night I lost, but going back four years, circled, with notes to myself. Things like, Don’t forget, and Danny, and Anniversary. I don’t remember writing any of those. I don’t know any Danny, but I wrote his name before. I think he’s been preying on me for years.”
The handsome police officer sat frozen for a minute, and then glanced away.
Again, she noted the tightening of his jaw, the way a muscle leapt along the edge of that well-defined bone.
“Let’s wait for the test,” he said at last, his voice gruff. “Don’t make any trips out at night. Don’t open your door to strangers. I’ll be in touch.” He rose.
She followed suit. The realization hit she’d forgotten to mention the dress shop and fact she had a witness who’d actually met Danny. “Wait,” she said, but his expression had grown darker, like he didn’t want to hear anything else. So instead, she said, “I don’t know your name. Who should I ask for?” She hesitated, strangely not wanting to break the connection. “If I need to.”
His dark eyes narrowed. “Ask for Detective Brown. He knows how to get in touch with me.”
Her heart raced as she realized the possibility she’d just revealed everything to someone who didn’t even work there. Was he even a cop? “You don’t work here?”
“I handle…special cases.”
“But who are you?”
“Viper.”
She didn’t bother to clarify. Didn’t want to ask for a last name. Viper sounded like a code word or a gang member’s moniker. “Thank you.” She lifted her chin.
“Take care, Mariah. Let me handle this.”
She nodded her agreement, but she was damned if she was leaving this in his hands. This incident impacted her life, and she wasn’t waiting weeks to know the truth of what had happened.
His body stiff, he held the door for her.
She ducked her head as she passed him, not willing to meet his unnerving gaze one more time. But she did inhale his fragrance. He smelled like cigarettes and booze—and sex. And something was familiar about his musky odor, which wasn’t unpleasant, but did cause her belly to tighten.
As she walked away, she shook her head. If she didn’t get her worry under control, she’d be sniffing each man she met, sure every one of them was the man who’d stalked her.
For the first time in a long time, she felt clear-headed and filled with purpose. First things first, though. She needed time off to pursue her investigation. Although she was free to follow stories outside the office, she didn’t want the distraction of having to produce more fluff pieces. She had real work to do. She might have a bigger story, one that would finally set her on the path she’d been on before all this began—her own story.
Foremost in her mind was the fact she didn’t have a clue where to begin. And she was curious about Viper. Curious about the club she barely remembered. Maybe she’d start there. Just to figure out why her memories were so hazy. One thing was for certain, she wouldn’t be drinking anything that wasn’t served sealed. And she’d be taking notes and hiding them, because she feared she’d lose time again, or herself, and she wanted to leave herself breadcrumbs.
Before the elevator slid shut, cutting off his view of Mariah, Viper was already checking his texts. Moses had left him a message.
See you at CC’s
The coffee shop had been a favorite of theirs back when they’d both been on the force. Before Viper had been turned.
Moses was already seated and pouring his fourth package of sugar into his cup.
Viper dropped his helmet on the window ledge and slid across the cracked Naugahyde bench seat opposite Moses.
A bare second later, a waitress slid a steaming cup onto the table.
“Thanks,” Viper muttered, not bothering to glance up.
As he studied his expression, Moses pursed his lips.
Viper tried to hold his gaze, but he winced and glanced away.
“You didn’t handle it, did you, buddy?”
Irritated with himself, Viper shot him a glare. “I will.”
“When?” Moses asked, stirring his spoon so fast coffee sloshed over the rim. “You know Mariah. She’s like a dog with a bone when she’s followin’ a lead. Or at least, she was like that. The girl I talked to in that room was a fucking pit bull.”
“I told her to let me investigate.”
“And that worked so well the last time…” Moses grunted in disgust.
“I’ll put a crew on her to keep watch. If she looks like she’s going rogue, I’ll know.”
“And then, what are you gonna do?”
Blowing out a breath, Viper rubbed a hand across his face. “I don’t know.”
“You miss her.”
Viper narrowed his eyes. Moses knew that was a dumbass question.
Moses shrugged. “She doesn’t have to stay in the dark, man. You could bring her in. Give back her memories. Then she’d know what she has to be afraid of.”
Viper took a long sip of the scalding coffee. “I wanted to keep her away from all of this.”
“But you couldn’t keep away from her. I get it. She’s innocent.” Moses grunted. “Hell, I’d get tired of sticking my dick into blood skanks, too—if I swung that way.”
Viper’s shoulders bunched. His fingers curled into fists. “Drop it.”
Scowling, Moses leaned over and rapped the table with two fingers. “No, Danny, I’ve been with you from the beginning of this shit. I watched you drained. Watched you turn. I kept Mariah out of it. Kept your secret. Kept an eye on her over the years. I’ve had your back. But you have to decide whether you’re gonna cut her loose or clue her in.” He shook his head. “She doesn’t deserve to live in a foggy fugue, asshole. She’s only livin’ half a life.”
Viper’s eyes burned. Moses was right. But he couldn’t bring himself to do it. Not yet. Just the few minutes he’d spent sitting in that drab room, gazing at her across the table, had been exhilarating and…precious. An experience he craved more than he did blood. Yeah, he was a selfish bastard, but he needed more time.
Moses waved a hand and sat back. “You get any closer to Zachary’s punk?”
Glad for the change of subject, Viper raked a hand through his hair and gave a nod. “Dirk’ll be eager to play some more poker.”
“Who the hell names his kid Dirk?” Moses shook his massive shoulders. “Dang, you give him all the stash?”
Viper shrugged. “The council has deep pockets. They won’t blink an eye when I ask for another infusion. Everyone wants Zachary neutralized.”
“Especially after he went all dark angel.”
Remembering Zachary spreading his new wings and flying away after attacking Navarro at his estate, Viper lifted his lips in a snarl. “He didn’t earn those wings. The council won’t let him keep them. They fear he’ll build an army of enhanced vampires, and they don’t think he’ll stay underground for long.”
Moses flattened his hands against the table. “He gonna start a war?”
“Looks like.” Viper took another sip.
“So, how did you get inside the station?”
“My old badge worked in the parking garage, but I had to use a little persuasion going through security.”
Moses grunted. “Must be nice.”
Viper snorted. “If you ever decide turning would be safer…”
“Melanie’s learnin’ restraint.” The corners of hi
s mouth twitched.
Viper grinned. “Or are you applying it?”
Moses’s eyebrows jogged up and down, but then his expression turned serious. “I won’t ever turn, man. I wanna grow old with her.”
Something Viper had envisioned for himself with Mariah… “Point taken,” he muttered, knowing the mention had been his friend’s subtle way of reminding him why he had to let Mariah go.
“Plannin’ to be at the club tonight?”
“Got to.” Viper nodded. “In case that little slimeball, Dirk, decides to show. I’ll assign people to follow him back to Zachary’s lair.”
“I might let Mel out for the night. Just promise not to dust another vamp in front of her. She’s still not cool with that.”
“Your woman can take care of herself. Just don’t let her get too close to a horny vamp.”
Moses tapped the carnelian pendant that hung from a ball chain around his neck. “I got on my succubus shield. She goes blue, I’m prepared.”
Viper picked up his helmet and reached out his fist to bump it against Moses’s. “Later, bro.” Once he was again astride his Harley, Viper let the loud rattle of the engine soothe his rough edges. Leaving the city center, he drove toward the Sound. The closer he got, the stronger the scent of saltwater and fish grew. Mist clung to the air, and as he drew in lungfuls of moist salty air, he thought through the past, the mistakes he’d made, the path he’d chosen.
His life had no place for Mariah. No safe place. He walked in darkness. Consorted with the lowest of the night creatures. He couldn’t count how many times he’d turned a blind eye to their savagery—all in the name of keeping his cover and staying close to the edge. He helped where he could, but tried never to step out of his role. Not where he could be seen by the wrong people. His secretive trips to Navarro’s estate and the council’s headquarters were infrequent. He couldn’t risk a tail.
When he’d stepped in to work at Dylan’s bar, he’d done so under the cover story that Dylan had been driven from Seattle. When Dylan returned, they’d have to stage a battle. Something they’d both enjoy.
Bad to the Bone (Night Fall Book 10) Page 5
