LITMIR.BIZ

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like they were old buddies from high school or something. Rolling my eyes, I proceeded to tell Officer Bowman what happened. “My name is Shiarra Waynest. Another vampire showed up shortly before Royce did. When I opened the door, the other vamp tried to grab me, but I managed to keep away.” Easier to explain it that way than to enlighten him about the intricacies of the metaphysical shields on my door. “He said his name was Peter and he was trying to take me to see someone named Max Carlyle.”

      “Max Carlyle? Any idea who that is or what he wants with you?”

      “I wish I knew,” I said, keeping as straight a face as I could. All I had right now was conjecture. I wasn’t going to tell him anything about the little party I’d crashed or the details about Anastasia’s death. What the police already knew was all that I, Royce, and the Weres who had been present were willing to give on the subject.

      The cop stared at me for a sec, his gaze taking on that flinty, steely look that said, “I know you’re lying to me.” I stared right back, not giving an inch. I’d done this routine with the cops enough times in my line of work to know when to talk, and when to keep my mouth shut. Plus, I knew I didn’t have any other information that would be useful to their investigation.

      “You’re sure there’s nothing, no connection between you and this Carlyle guy?”

      I shrugged, gesturing at Royce. “He’s a vamp, maybe he knows something about it. I don’t have a clue what Max Carlyle wants with me.” That much was true, at least.

      He took some more notes, more than what I’d said. I wondered idly what he was writing down, hiding a yawn with my hand. It was way past my bedtime.

      “Okay. So what happened after he told you what he wanted?”

      “That’s about the time Royce arrived and scared him off.”

      Officer Bowman nodded, rubbing the five o’clock shadow on his chin before jotting down what I’d said on his notepad. I gave a description of Peter, answering the rest of his questions as accurately as I could, though there wasn’t much more I knew beyond what I’d already said. He did ask a couple different ways for some hint of a connection to Max, but I didn’t know what else to tell him. I’d never seen the guy, couldn’t give a physical description, and had no idea where he was from or why he was trying to get his hands on me.

      Royce had finished talking to the other officer by the time I wrapped up my statement. I walked the two policemen to the door.

      “Thanks again, Officers. Hope you find that guy and get him off the streets.”

      The one who had been taking Royce’s statement nodded, tipping his hat at me. “We’ll put out an APB on the vamp. I’m going to arrange for a security detail to keep watch on your apartment for the next couple days in case he takes another go at you. Is your office building where you work secure, or will you need some assistance there as well?”

      Huh. The officer was really going out of his way on this. There were not enough police in this city to cover something so inconsequential as watching out for my ass, even if it was only for a few days. “No, I think I’ll be okay. You don’t have to go to the trouble; I’ll call again if I need help.”

      He smiled and shook his head, spreading his hands a bit. “Sorry, ma’am. If a vamp is after you, it’d be on my head if something bad happened because no one was around to prevent it. Being threatened with kidnapping is serious business. You’re lucky Mr. Royce stopped by when he did.” The officer and vamp shared a look that made me wonder what private joke I was missing.

      I gave a frosty smile and brushed a stray curl out of my eyes. “Okay, whatever you think is best.”

      He apparently didn’t get the hint since he smiled back and gave a cheery wave before heading off down the hall, Officer Bowman in tow. I shut the door behind them and stalked to the couch, dropping down with a muttered curse. Trying to do my job with a bunch of cops following my ass was going to be hell.

      “So, you want to tell me why the cops were so happy to see you and so insistent on treating me like a Fort Knox shipment?”

      Royce shrugged and resumed his comfortable lounging position. “Probably because I donated half a million dollars to their Police Association two weeks ago. I imagine they want to do what they can to ensure I remain so generous the next time they request donations.”

      I blinked. “Yeah, I can see where that would do it.” No wonder they wanted to keep a tail on me. They wanted to be ingratiated with Royce, not protect me for the sake of it. Wonderful. Stifling another yawn, I rubbed at my eyes. “So what were you saying before?”

      He studied me before speaking, looking hesitant. “It’s late, and I can see that you’re tired. I don’t think Max will try anything else tonight, but it may be wise for you to stay elsewhere for a few days.”

      I shook my head, managing a wry grin. “The shields here work beautifully. I think Arnold outdid himself on them. I’ll be okay.”

      “If you insist. I have an idea that might handle this problem, but I don’t think you’ll like it.”

      “What’s that?” This ought to be good.

      He hesitated again, looking away before speaking. “While I completely understand and respect that you are averse to being bound to anyone, as you know, you are still contractually connected to me. Since you refuse to hide yourself, perhaps we can use the connection we already have to appease Max without any loss to either of us. If you go to him willingly, it may cool his anger enough to listen to reason and accept your explanation regarding Anastasia’s death, where he did not listen to me.”

      “Oh, hell no!” I exclaimed, jerking back from him. Was he crazy? I paused, eyes narrowing. “Wait, you already talked to him? You didn’t mention that!”

      He smiled grimly. “No, I didn’t. We’ve been speaking by phone for the last several months, negotiating a price for the loss of his agent. He isn’t a forgiving sort, and our rivalries from past times have made him exceptionally bitter about Anastasia.”

      “So what is handing me over to him supposed to solve? What does he want me for?”

      Royce’s gaze was dead serious as he turned back to meet my eyes. I was almost too shocked by what he said to notice there wasn’t a hint of compulsion behind it.

      “He wants you to take her place.”

       Chapter 6

      “You are out of your fucking mind if you think I’m going to give myself to him. Especially to be turned.”

      Royce shook his head, gesturing for me to calm down. “He won’t rest until he’s had some measure of vengeance. Taking you is probably the only thing he would consider adequate amends. However, if you went to him willingly, it would ruin any plans he might have of taking you by force. It would also make his claims for retribution look less valid in the eyes of those who enforce our laws. Or if he saw you as more trouble than you’re worth, he may leave you alone and attempt some other means of getting to me. It is also entirely possible that you could use the tools The Circle gave you and kill him.”

      “I can’t believe this.” I was seething and not about to be placated so easily. I got up and stalked to the door, opening it and pointing to the hall. “Get. Out. Now! ”

      With a deep sigh, Royce rose to his feet. He moved closer, but rather than leave, he put one hand on my shoulder and tilted my chin up with the other. I was sorely tempted to jerk away, but stood still long enough to hear him out. However, I kept glaring spitefully into his eyes, making sure it was no secret that I was still pissed at him for even suggesting I deliver myself up to Max or, worse, fight him to the death.

      “I do not want to see harm come to you. I only make the suggestion as I don’t like the idea of leaving you to fend for yourself against Max, and I fear that he might hurt or kill you if he

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