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“Trust me on this one.” I pat his shoulder. There’s no way to make him understand. It’s not like I can tell him about vampires and their freaky mind magic. I can sympathize with Derek and a supernatural flipping his life upside down.

“I don’t understand it but fine.” Turning to Derek he sighs. “You’re still going to be fined, and it seems based on Detective Brennan’s decision your lawyer can negotiate a deal that potentially doesn’t include prison time.”

“We’ll get your paperwork processed and have you out of here in a few, Derek.” I nod at him and the relief on his face is immediate. You would’ve thought I’d given him a key to the city.

“Brennan.” Captain tries one more time and I simply smile at him. “You’re not going to pursue this? He broke into your apartment.”

He enunciates the last few words like I’m crazy and I kind of am. I feel bad for the guy, though. He most likely had his mind invaded without his permission.

“Nope. I know you probably want to wring my neck right now but trust me.” With a shake of his head, he follows me out and heads down the hall to his office. He gives me one last bewildered glance and shuts his door behind him.

“Well, that’s the clearest what the fuck is wrong with you expression I’ve ever seen,” Zavier whistles out from behind me.

“Really?” I spin on my booted heel to look at him. “With how long you’ve lived and your personality I find that hard to believe.”

“True.” He gives me a wolfish grin and slings an arm over my shoulder. His nose buries itself in my hair and his chest rises with the deep breath he takes of my scent. “God, you smell delectable,” he murmurs, and I push him away before he gets me hot and bothered at my place of work.

After that, we have Derek fill out some paperwork for his release. He’s in our system, but I don’t feel right punishing him, so he walks out of the building a free man. Zavier sits none too patiently with a bouncing knee in a chair in the corner. I can tell he’s antsy to get home and figure out what all is going on since we discovered it has supernatural ties.

“Ready?” I tap his shoulder, and he rises so quickly I almost pull a muscle in my neck from looking up at him.

“I thought you’d never ask.” Just then Zavier goes ramrod straight and his eyes go big as saucers.“Shit,”he curses and reaches for my hand, lifting me into his arms in a blink.

Zav runs out of the building with me in his arms before I can question him, and we go down the block and around the corner into an alley.

Sitting slumped against an alleyway wall is none other than Derek’s freshly murdered corpse.

CHAPTER 36

CELINE

Isift a spoon listlessly through my bowl of Cheerios and tuck a stray hair behind my ear. It’s a mess of curls this morning since I let it air dry, which I usually try not to do. Yesterday was a long one. Finding Derek’s body in the alleyway threw us for a loop and had me headed right back to the station.

Zavier discreetly checked the body out before I told the captain and found something unusual. No blood or bite marks just a clear snap of the neck resulting in instant death. He couldn’t smell anyone on Derek, but I knew he attributed it to the supernatural. Too many odd things lined up now and I could tell it bothered him how many things were starting to center around me.

He was insistent on sleeping in the room with me last night and I welcomed the comfort. Even if he latched onto me and didn’t let go. At least his temperature seemed to run cooler than that of a human, otherwise I would’ve been sweating in his hold.

“Celine.” Zav taps me on the head with one of Midnight’s fluffy paws. The cat hisses before cuddling right up to Zav’s neck like the two-timing hussy he is. “Are you okay? I think your Cheerios have turned into a cereal smoothie at this point.”

Looking down I see he’s right. Lost in my thoughts the cereal has gone soggy and mushed together.

Gross. This is why I prefer to eat it dry.

With a sigh I dump the mess down the drain and run water. It swirls away and I look back at Zav. He’s giving me puppy dog eyes not knowing what’s running through my head or how to help me. I still can’t believe this gorgeous, thoughtful vampire is my mate.

Mate. That’s strange in itself.

“I want to move back into my apartment.” I finally say after roving over his handsome features. As soon as I say it, I want to take it back because they contort into horror.

“What?” He sets Midnight down, so I know he’s serious.

In a flash, he’s over by my side. The breeze rustles my hair, and he grips my shoulders to steady me when I sway from his sudden appearance.

“Derek is dead, so I don’t have to worry about him returning. I’ve been living with you for weeks and I want to be back in my own space again. I can’t keep taking up your space, mate or not.” I try to reason but he’s having none of it.

I don’t want to be in your way. I don’t want you to get sick of me, I don’t say out loud. It’s old insecurities stemming from the way my mom left, and I know Zav would never abandon me like she did, but sometimes logic doesn’t override feelings.

“Yes, he’s dead but we know there’s someone bigger at play that’s still very much alive. You’re not safe!” His green eyes spark with fear. “You can’t get hurt. On my life I swear I can’t go on if you’re hurt and I could’ve done something about it. Celine, please,” he pleads and it’s the hardest thing to watch him in such distress. “If you want to go back to your place then I’m going with you.”