Electric Storm(51)

She pushed open the door, her gaze automatically flashing toward the chaise.

Empty.

Durant and Cassie were gone.

A little of the tension left her shoulders. A short reprieve. It wouldn’t be long before Durant came knocking. He’d changed his mind too fast for him not to want something.

She slipped into the chair behind her desk and picked up the phone. Three messages from Scotts about the case, telling her to call him as soon as she got them, each more urgent than the last. And one awkward message from Durant, thanking her for her assistance and to make sure that she’d returned home safe.

The time of the call had the hair on her arms standing on end. Five minutes after the lightning strike. Could their new bond have a bigger aftereffect than anyone expected? The thought left a chill in her heart that burned down to her soul. Taggert was already changing by just being near her, and she hadn’t even claimed him fully. What would he become if he remained in her care?

Not surprising, Taggert and Jackson were the first to arrive. Taggert handed her a pair of pants, and she took them gratefully. She was tucking in the shirt when Dominic entered. She avoided his eyes and the assessing look he gave her.

“What did you tell Scotts?” She tapped her pen against the desk in annoyance. “He seems awfully anxious to talk to me this morning.”

“The truth. That you followed a lead on one of your cases and you ran into his killer.” Dominic didn’t look away as he continued. “I sent him the approximate location Rylan gave me.

Anger narrowed her eyes. “You purposely sent them into danger.”

He stalked forward and planted his hands on her desk. “It’s their job.”

“And it’s my case. You had no right to interfere.”

“I have every right to protect you.”

Raven pushed back her chair and matched his pose. “So what? Better them than me?”

“Yes.”

The muscles in her jaw ached as she gritted her teeth, trying to stem the flow of words. “I can take care of myself.”

“It was your body they carried in the house last night. Your back was shredded to ribbons. Chunks of your flesh were missing.” Dark eyes met hers, and she knew he blamed himself for not being there.

“And I’m fine.” She reached out to touch him, needing to ease that flinty look he hid behind. He jerked away, his animal giving him the ability to be there one minute and across the room in the next without appearing to have rushed.

“All better.” His voice was flat. He didn’t believe her.

“Dominic, this is what I do.”

“You take suicidal missions and too many chances. You have others relying on you now. What happens to them if you die?”

Something behind his words disturbed her, some hidden emotion she didn’t know how to name. There was nothing she could do to make him trust her. He was close to twice her age, still in the prime of his life, and he treated her like a young cub.

Heart aching, she hardened her spirit and accepted it would always be so. “I’m good at what I do. I’m one of the best in this area, and that includes you and yours. Don’t try to shut me out of this investigation. You won’t win.”

God, she couldn’t stand to do nothing. She’d go insane. She desperately wanted to be like everyone else and walk the street without fear, without searching for danger. To dare touch someone without having them look at her with terror. That would never happen for her, but she could make sure others were safe by doing her job.

Dominic’s stance softened. “Raven—”

“What did I miss?” Trish sauntered in the room, dressed in clothes that had to cost a fortune, and doused in her normal bottle of perfume. Her gaze landed on Taggert, and her expression softened as she seated herself next to him with barely an inch separating them. “Thanks for saving me a seat.”

Taggert’s breath hitched. Every muscle in his body tightened, but he didn’t move. A hint of woods came to her, and Raven smelled his distress. Brow furrowed, she watched his agitation mount when Trisha smiled his way.

Raven didn’t understand it. Trisha wasn’t being malicious, but the attention froze Taggert to his seat. “Taggert, could you please go to the kitchen and tell Dina we’re waiting for her? She can finish breakfast after.”

His movements were slow, measured, but she could tell it was an act to prevent himself from bolting. Trish sighed when he stood to leave, her eyes glued to his backside. Once he disappeared from the door, she turned and gave Raven a dirty look.

“While we wait, why don’t you tell me what you found out about the group.” Raven resumed her seat and aimed her attention on Dominic to get her mind off Taggert.