“He was hot, wasn’t he?”
Vanni wiped away her tears. “Very hot.”
“I knew it. Was he good in bed?”
“The best.”
“Did you fall a little for him?”
“Probably.”
Beth lay down and curled on her side, holding her gaze. “Do you wish you could see him again?”
Vanni wasn’t sure how to answer.
“It’s okay if you do. I won’t judge. You know that about me. He sounds amazing, besides how you met, I mean.”
“I don’t think he’d ever want to see me again.”
“You can’t be sure unless we try to contact him.”
“No. I need to forget this night ever happened and get on with my life. It’s your turn. Tell me your deepest, darkest secret.”
It took long seconds for her to answer. “I really hated Carl.”
Vanni smiled. “I knew that.”
“Listen to your best friend next time. That’s all I ask.”
“Deal.”
“Sleep. I’m right here. You’re home. It’s going to be fine.”
Vanni closed her eyes but all she could think about was Smiley. She hoped he was okay, wherever he was.
* * * * *
Smiley entered his apartment at the men’s dorm and locked the door. The drug had passed through his system. His dick no longer ached from a constant erection and he had worked out his aggression on a punching bag. The silence inside his corner apartment was absolute. The male who lived next to him had gone to Reservation and the one across the hall had taken a mate. They now lived together in another section of Homeland.
He grabbed a cold drink from the fridge but stared at the cherry soda in his hand. It reminded him of Vanni. He put it back and removed a bottle of water instead. He drank half of it and walked to the balcony. He didn’t open the door or step outside, just stood there staring into the darkness.
Vanni was somewhere out there. He considered the constant worry for her to be a form of torture. The cell phone he’d taken from Security on his way home sat heavily in his pocket. They’d promised to call him if they found her. It remained as quiet as his surroundings.
He put his open hand on the glass. “Where are you, babe?”
He spun away, pacing the carpet in front of the couch. They hadn’t known each other long but all he could think about was Vanni. Her image seemed permanently imprinted on his thoughts. He’d showered and changed clothes but he could still smell her.
A soft knock was welcome and he lunged toward the door, twisted the locks and swung it open. It was possible they hadn’t wanted to call if the news was bad. They’d want to tell him in person but it wasn’t an on-duty officer who stood there.
“Hi, Jericho.”
“I heard what happened. May I come in?”
It beat being alone. “Sure.” He stepped aside. “I’m fine.”
The male closed the door and leaned against it. “Would you say otherwise?”
That comment surprised him. “The drug is out of my system.”
“It must have left you with a lot of difficult memories.”
“It wasn’t that bad. I mean, I remember it all and the pain didn’t come close to what it could have been.”
Jericho rumbled deep in his chest. “You and I are different from the rest.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Yes, you do.” He tilted his head. “We keep our emotions closer to the surface. I’m better at hiding it than you are. Your feelings show in your eyes. You appear sad. That’s unusual for you. This does affect you. Talk to me.”
Smiley hesitated. “I’m worried about her.”
“The female who drugged you?”
“She said she didn’t.”
“The team stated otherwise in their report. Are you certain she wasn’t responsible?”
“No but I’m sure she didn’t know what was going to happen.”
“How?”
“I saw the fear in her eyes. The shock.” Smiley ran his fingers through his hair and began pacing again. It helped. “She had no idea what was about to happen to us.”
“Perhaps not to what extent.”
That halted him in his tracks. “What do you mean by that?”
“The team is certain she dosed both drinks. She had no form of identity. There was only a room key from the hotel. Don’t you find that suspicious? Humans always carry ID, especially to a human bar. She also didn’t have a room in her name but her key card was registered to a room that was paid for by the Woods Church. We’ve been dealing with them for a while. They aren’t our friends.”
He couldn’t deny that the evidence seemed damning. “Maybe she was pushed into it somehow. Forced.”