Page 9

CELINE

A va’s mouth is moving but all I can think about is my mystery man who vanished into thin air.

The way his hands felt on my body was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.

It felt natural for him to hold me. I wish I could’ve seen his face, because scanning the crowd does me no good when I don’t know what he looks like.

“Hello?” Snapping brings me back to the present and I refocus to find Ava and Spencer staring at me with equally perplexed expressions. They’ve never seen me like this. “Have you been dickmatized?” She searches my eyes imploringly.

“Sorry, continue.” I wave her on and give my head a small shake to clear my mind.

I don’t think dickmatized is what I’d call it, but there’s a definite hazy feeling that has me wondering if I imagined the whole thing.

She gives a knowing look but goes on. “I was fixing my makeup in the bathroom and overheard someone talking. There’s a vent right above the mirrors that must connect somehow to an office or something.

They weren’t being very quiet, and it sounded like they were pissed off about a delivery gone wrong. ”

“Well, that doesn’t seem particularly suspicious.” Spencer frowns and leans back against the booth. He brushes his fingers lightly over Ava’s bare shoulder. It’s that small touch, that intimacy that has me momentarily wishing for what they have.

“Sure.” Ava purses her lips at him, brow raised with sass. “Except he said a delivery of sangre.”

“Sangria?” He scratches his head. “It’s a club, Aves.”

“No.” She shakes her head, pastel pink curls flying. Sangre means blood in Spanish.” Her eyes are wide, and she makes a duh expression at us.

“Are you sure you heard correctly, Aves? I know the whole situation is off but that seems like a stretch.” He cringes when she glowers at him.

Even I’m struggling to fit the pieces together.

“I swear. Scout’s honor.” The disco lights reflect off her various gold bangles as she holds her hand up as if taking an oath.

Glancing between her and the suspicious door I make a decision. “I’ll be back.” The leather beneath me squeaks as I slide out of the booth and head to the bar.

“Screwdriver, please!” I yell above the music and place crumpled dollar bills on the tabletop.

The bartender hands me my drink and I stumble away making a show of spilling some on the floor.

Feeling my way along the wall I fake drunkenly walk toward the office.

Lucky for me the bouncers just stepped away to escort a pair of actual drunks out of the club, so it’s left unattended.

Scanning the vicinity one last time I reach behind me and push down on the door handle which opens with ease.

My hair swings around my shoulders when I turn and start to head into the space. Just as I’m about to get a visual a large hand closes on top of mine and yanks the door shut. My back is slammed against the wall and the burly guard from before glares at me.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” he spits out, dark eyes scanning me up and down.

Channeling my inner drunk sorority girl, I become boneless under his hold and try to look as dopey as possible. “Isn’t this the bathroom?” I hold up my drink and spill a few drops on his black shoes. I throw in a giggle for good measure. “I really have to pee.”

“You stupid, bitch. Just like all these other idiots.” He flings me away from the door, forcing me to trip and shoos me with his hand. “Get out of here. If I see you again, you’re getting kicked the fuck out. I only give one warning.”

“But wait, where’s the bathroom?” I continue my act as I find my footing.

“You’ll figure it out. Go.” The tone in his voice leaves no room for discussion. “You won’t like what happens if you don’t.”

I throw in a whimper like I’m some poor, defenseless frightened little girl. “Fine. Fine.”

I stumble away—not in theatrics this time—and grab ahold of a stranger’s elbow to steady myself.

“Hey,” the girl complains.

“Sorry. Almost fell.”

Pushing my way through the crowd back to the table where Ava and Spencer sit, I plop down, setting aside my halfway empty drink.

“What were you thinking would happen?” Ava laughs as I wipe my hand of the sticky alcoholic beverage. “There’s no way you were going to get back there.”

“I know, but I wanted to check whether or not I could see anything under the door or overhear anything.”

Spencer leans forward and lowers his voice. “Celine, be careful. If this is what you guys think it is, you could get hurt or worse.”

His concern is genuine and sweet but not needed.

“I can’t do anything. I don’t have a warrant or probable cause.”

If anyone has to follow the law, it’s me. I just hate that people might get hurt while I’m forced to wait for something to happen that’s big enough to force an investigation..

“How’s the hangover?” Ava pats my shoulder as she passes by my desk toward the end of my shift the next day.

I hide in the shelter of my arms to drown out all light and sound. Every shuffle of paper and slam of the door grates on my eardrums. Despite the ibuprofen I’ve taken every few hours, and the water I’ve guzzled, I can’t seem to knock the raging headache.

It’s my own fault. I don’t drink often so it doesn’t take much for me to overdo it.

“Ugh.” My muffled moan is pitiful. “I’m never drinking again.” I hold up a finger, wagging it in her face. “And if you let me, I’m disowning you.”

She grabs my finger and folds it down so it’s no longer pointing at her. “You would never. You love me too much. Plus, all in the name of justice, huh?”

“Shut up,” I retort, and the bitch laughs at me.

“You’re such a lightweight. The fact your hangover is lingering this long is crazy.” She walks away to make a copy of the document in her hand.

“Thank you for stating the obvious.” I lean back against my chair and slowly blink against the harsh light of the office. Whose idea was it to put these awful fluorescent lights in buildings?

I knew I shouldn’t have ordered shots, they’re always too much for me, but at least it did help play into me just being a stupid drunken girl act. I didn’t miss the way the guard kept eyeing me for the rest of the night. It was unsettling to say the least.

Her boots tap on the floor as she walks back over and perches on my desk.

“For someone who doesn’t typically drink you were downing tequila like it was juice.

I’m shocked you’re able to function at all today.

” She extends her hands, admiring her sparkly pink polish that’s nearly the same shade as her hair.

“I fully expected you to take a sick day.”

“Honestly, if Midnight didn’t wake me up with his claws in my arm I would’ve slept through the alarm.

Little shit is rabid until he gets fed.” On multiple occasions I toyed with the idea of rehoming him, but I couldn’t do that to my dad.

He might not remember Midnight anymore, but I knew how he begged me when he was still lucid to take care of the grumpy feline.

I was also partially scared the cat would somehow find his way back, slit my throat in my sleep, and go on his merry way if I ever rehomed him.

Ava clears her throat pulling me out of my thoughts. There’s a glint in her eyes that makes me narrow mine in suspicion. “Ava,” I draw out the last syllable of her name. “What are you scheming?”

“I’m setting you up on a blind date.” She practically bounces where she sits, and I cross my arms, eyeing the clock on the wall behind her. Almost time for me to clock out.

“Oh really? When was I going to have a say in this?”

It’s sweet Ava wants to see me happy, but it’s also exhausting. Sure, I’d love to find someone I click with but that takes time and effort and a dedication that I just don’t have right now.

“Spencer has a cousin that’s a sweetheart. I think you’d really like him.” She reaches out and grabs my hands. “Just give him a shot Celine. Please? For me? I wouldn’t set you up with anyone I didn’t vet myself.”

This isn’t the first time she’s tried to set me up with someone. It’s not that the dates have been bad in the past, but I still hold onto the romantic notion I’ll meet someone naturally. But that would also require me to leave my place and put myself out there, which I don’t.

“What’s his name? What’s he like?” I mutter after she shows no sign of backing down. Hopefully my questions will serve to appease her.

Grabbing her phone and rolling with the small glimmer of hope I’ve given her, she pulls up the profile picture of an admittedly attractive man.

He has inky black hair and wears wire frame glasses that make him look nerdy but hot.

I’ve always been a sucker for a man in glasses so that gives him bonus points.

He’s lean with ocean blue eyes. Bold letters highlight his name at the top of his profile. Asher Brooks.

“Isn’t he a cutie?” Scrolling through his feed she shows me various photos of him competitively swimming, posing at the gym showcasing his abs, and cuddling with his Siberian husky. “Loves animals, hot body, and single? Please Celine this should be the easiest yes of your life.”

“You dragged me to the club and now you’re trying to set me up on a blind date?” Slowly spinning in my chair, I squint my eyes at her.

“So says Miss Having-Sex-On-The-Dance-Floor last night.” She leans over and gives me a playful shove. “We never did talk about your dance partner from last night.”

I gaze wistfully out the window next to my desk and remember the dance from last night in my head. Our breaths mingling, warmth pressed against my back, and his muscled arm holding me like I’m something precious.

“A shame I didn’t get to see his face.” Suddenly realizing Ava was watching, I perk up. “Did you see him?”

Picking at her manicured nails, she says, “Our booth was pretty far back so I couldn’t see much besides the top of your heads. It looked like he had darker colored hair, but the lights made it hard to see exactly what shade.”

I slump back against the chair and wish I could’ve found out more about him. Obviously, it wasn’t meant to be, and I’m a big believer in the natural order of the universe. My dad always said everything happens for a reason.

“Pity. Well, that just means you’re a free agent and eligible to go on a date with Asher.” Typing away on her phone she continues to talk like I’ve responded. “I’m going to give him your number.”

Spinning back to my computer, I sigh, and she lets out a victorious hoorah before sashaying back over to her desk. Time for me to get out of here.

“Onto more important topics than my love life, since it’s time for me to clock out, I’m headed back over to Vex.” Turning off my desktop I gather my things and slide my aviators onto my head.

She narrows her eyes on me. “Celine.”

I give her side eye at her tone. “I want to scope the place out while there’s still some daylight left. See what kind of deliveries they might be getting. Plus, it’s not too far out of my way.”

She frowns, eyes darkening with a level of seriousness that’s rare for her. “Please be careful. If Luna’s right about what’s happening, then it’s not safe.”

I nod and she grabs my sweater sleeve as I pass by. “Don’t forget to answer Asher when he texts you.” She winks and I flatten my mouth but nod.

Captain Barnes waves from his desk when I walk out of the building, and I head to our small parking lot. Being downtown means not much parking, but as employees we have first dibs. I manage to park in the same spot every morning with my early arrival.

Walking toward my red Nissan Altima, I click the unlock button on the fob. The smell of cypress greets me as I slide into the driver’s seat courtesy of my air freshener. I stop in my tracks when it reminds me of the delicious smell of the stranger from the night before.

Let it go.

Blowing out a breath I hit the remote start and cruise onto the street and into Chicago traffic. Vex is about fifteen minutes away from the police department so I cycle through my Guns N Roses playlist and zone out.

I’m not sure what exactly I’m hoping to find running by Vex. Once I’m home I need to focus on the Mayhem Murderer case files but something in me says I have to stop here just in case.

I park a street over from the club and get out. I scan my surroundings and make sure there's nothing out of the norm. For some reason lately I’ve had the odd feeling of someone watching me but I’ve never able to spot the ghostly culprit. It could just be the case and my paranoia getting to me.

Closing the door, I cross the street while there’s a break in cars and slink my way to a spot that gives me a decent glimpse down the narrow alleyway alongside the club.

Two hours pass, longer than I intended to watch and enough for my limbs to become stiff and my feet to hurt.

I don’t spot a single thing of notable suspicion.

I suppose it’s what I get for listening to Luna.

Normally I wouldn’t even entertain a civilian saying something like she did, but there’s something about this whole thing that doesn’t sit right with me.

Slowly backing away from the wall, I keep my head down and pull up my jacket collar, speed walking as silently as possible toward my car. The sun is just starting to set.

As I reach the street, I notice a black sports car parked near mine with the engine running. At first, I write it off but when I pull away, I notice it tailing me a few minutes later.

My heart thumps erratically at the uneasy feeling I have, and I drive a little faster.

I pull into the underground garage beneath my building, making sure the car didn’t manage to get inside somehow.

The uneasy feeling follows me all the way up and doesn’t go away. I make sure to keep my hand by my gun as I near my apartment.

I make one last scan of the hall when I turn and run face first into a hard wall.

A wall that grabs me.