Page 7 of Allie
“Are you really going to keep her name, Aspirin?”
I glanced over my shoulder at Roan as I checked out. “I think it fits. She helped ease my headache. Plus, she’s white.”
He chuckled. “That makes sense now.”
As we exited the pet store, we paused at the sound of Roan’s name. I turned to see a gorgeous man making his way up the sidewalk toward us. His black hair was cut short with bangs that swept across his forehead. Dark brown eyes locked with mine as a sensual, teasing smile lifted his lips. “Who do we have here?”
I held out my hand. “I’m Allie and I’m new to town.”
The man took my hand and brought it to his lips. “Nice to meet you. I’m Draven.”
There was a mix of dark and light magic that surrounded him. What surprised me was the dark magic I sensed didn’t make me ill like Doyle’s magic had. Draven’s magic was different. I wanted to ask what he was but didn’t want to be rude.
Roan growled at Draven, making him laugh as he let go of my hand. Draven nodded to Roan and said, “I thought you weren’t due back in town for another week.”
Roan shrugged. “It was an easy bounty.”
“I heard someone finally got tired of Doyle’s shit,” Draven said with a hint of amusement. “That man had always been an asshole.”
“I agree,” Roan said and started walking down the sidewalk back toward our apartment building.
Draven moved to walk on my other side, so I was sandwiched between them. I was okay with that.
“Well, Doyle definitely didn’t make a good impression on me when he was rude to me yesterday. Now some tenants at the apartments pointed fingers at me, so Roan and I are going to see who killed him.” I wasn’t sure why I told Draven that, but it felt like he needed to know. My senses picked up that Draven and Roan were friends.
“People can be shitheads. I’ll help with whatever you need. Asa will, too. He’s showing a property right now. We could meet up for dinner later.” Draven stopped in front of an office building that looked like a small house right on the main road. On the door read Cross and Wyn Realty.
“Sounds good,” Roan said, then glanced at me.
I nodded. “We could eat at my place. I’m next door to Roan.”
Draven smiled. “It’s a date.” He winked at me and entered the office.
“He seems nice,” I said, as Roan and I started walking again.
“Draven and Asa are good men. They’ve been best friends since elementary school.”
I glanced at Roan, seeing a hint of emotion crossing his face. “How long have you known them?”
“About ten years now. I passed through town while hunting a bounty. Silver Springs had been where the skip had last been seen. Asa is a psychic, and he helped me track the skip down. I liked the town enough to stay after I turned in the skip. Draven, Asa, and I have been friends since.” He opened the doors to our apartment building and held it for me to enter, all while holding all the bags from the pet store.
“You sure you don’t want me to take something? I am perfectly capable of carrying bags.” I reached out to take the smallest bag, but he moved it out of my reach and motioned to the elevators.
“I know you are, but I got it.”
Sexy, stubborn man. Amusement lit up my body as we crossed the large ground floor toward the elevators, which were on the other side of the huge water play area.
When we reached my apartment, I unlocked the door and held it for him. As soon as I shut the door, Aspirin trotted out of my room. I scooped her up and rubbed my nose against hers. “Did you miss me?”
I looked at Roan, noting how he watched me and Aspirin like he envied the little white kitten. Gods, he was my mate. Or I was his. Warmth stirred in deep inside me, making me want things I hadn’t desired in a while.
Waving for Roan to follow me, I entered my bedroom and sat Aspirin on my bed. “You can set the bags on the bed, and we’ll get everything set up for her.”
I texted my sister while he did what I asked.
Are you okay with having Roan and a couple of his friends over for dinner tonight? They want to help me figure out who killed Doyle.
Nat: That’s fine. I could help too. I don’t like how people I’ve lived next to for years pointed their fingers at my sister.