Page 15 of Royal

“Wait.” I sat up straighter in the armchair. “Am I a suspect?”

What kind of shit is this?

“We’re just trying to get to the bottom of what happened to Ms. Monroe,” Detective Shaw said coolly. “Eliminating possible suspects will help us narrow things down and figure out who killed her.”

“Well it wasn’t me,” I snapped, highly insulted by their accusatory stares. I glared at Grayson. He actually believed I’d ever do something like that? That pissed me off most. “I went to Rawlast night.”

“When did you get there and when did you leave?” she asked. “Just so we have a timeline for the alibi.”

Go fuck yourself,was what I really wanted to tell her.

“I got there around midnight and left before two.”

“And after that?” Grayson asked, speaking up for the first time.

I refrained from snarling at him.

“I came home.” Yeah, it wasn’t the full truth, but I didn’t feel comfortable sharing details about my sex life.

“Anyone able to back up that story?” Detective Shaw pressed.

“It’s not astory.It’s the damn truth.”

“Why are you getting defensive, Mr. Henderson?” she asked, giving me a knowing look.

“Because this is bullshit. That’s why.” Screw it. Awkward or not, I had to tell the truth. “After I left Rawaround two, I went to a guy’s hotel. Stayed for an hour or so and then came home. Alone.”

“Does he have a name?” Grayson asked, not sounding too pleased with my answer.

Nah. He was born without one.I bit my tongue to keep from spewing my sarcastic thoughts.

“I didn’t ask him,” I answered, crossing my arms. “Talking wasn’t really on the agenda for the night. We met at the club and hooked up at his hotel after.”

Grayson’s nostrils flared, and he dropped his gaze to his hands.

“What hotel?” Detective Shaw asked. “Just so we can clear your name.”

“Holiday Inn.”

“Thank you for your cooperation, Mr. Henderson,” she said and flashed a smile that lacked all warmth. She seriously thought I was their guy. “If you can think of anything that’d be useful for us, here’s my card.”

I accepted the card she held out, and without looking at it, tossed it on the end table.

“We’ll be in touch,” she added, standing from the couch.

“I’m sure we will,” I said bitterly, getting to my feet as well.

Pixie arched a brow before going toward the front door. My earlier perception of her not being officer material vanished. I could totally see it right then. She was a hard-ass through and through.

Grayson stood and stepped toward me. And fuck me, his eyes were just as warm as I remembered.

“Look, Royal. I…I don’t think you did this,” he said under his breath. “We’re only trying to rule you out so we can find the person whodiddo it. Okay? So drop the defensive attitude with my partner.”

“Drop my attitude?” I pursed my lips to keep from telling him to kiss my ass. “I don’t appreciate being looked at for a murder I didn’t commit, Gray. Of course I’m defensive.”

“Once we check out your alibi, you’ll be good,” Grayson said, the middle of his forehead creasing.

I wasn’t sure if he seemed worried because he doubted my innocence, or if it was due to the unspoken things between us. A cold barrier we couldn’t avoid anymore.