Page 8 of Born Wicked

It was no small secret that Roman and I hated each other before. We’ve spat vile words at each other. Called each other names. And now everyone in this room knows it was him who picked me up when my world fell apart.

Let everyone read into it what they want. Roman and I are friends, good, good friends, and it doesn’t need to be anything more complicated than that.

“I’ll call Sylvano in the car,” Mason says, moving on. “Is there anything else we need to be aware of?”

“No,” I say, gathering my wits once more. “Being a murder suspect was news enough for today.”

“Don’t worry, Juliet,” Mason says as he walks to me. He wraps his arms around me, pulling me into his chest. And it’s nice. Familiar. Once we were physical and spent some rather questionable time with my fangs sunk into his neck. But now, he’s my friend. It was a vow we made. To always be friends, no matter where the physical part between us landed. “There’s no way they’re going to pin you with anything. Sylvano will take care of Superintendent Day.”

“Thanks,” I say, my voice rough, as I release him and he steps away. “I appreciate it.”

He offers a sympathetic smile and turns to the door, striding toward it as he takes his phone from his pocket.

“I’m going to keep someone on Superintendent Day at all times,” Roman says. There’s that hard edge to his voice once more. “We need to know what she’s like, who she’s talking to, what she knows. Jerry was fully aware of what was happening in the dark here in the city. We need to know if she has any idea what she’s really getting into here, or if she’s trustworthy enough to share that information with.”

“I agree,” Sigrid pipes up with a nod. “This could change things. Make things more difficult.”

“You’ll let us know if there’s anything else we need to be worried about?” Jon asks.

Roman nods.

“Alright,” I say with a heavy sigh. “I better get back to it. I have a lot of shit to take care of today.”

CHAPTERTHREE

“Tellme about the relationship between you and Sebastian Vincent.”

Superintendent Day sits across from me in the somewhat depressing office. It’s located in the heart of the building, so there are no windows. The walls are a drab color that isn’t quite white, not quite gray, and not quite tan. The desk is worn out. There are stacks of papers and binders everywhere. Sebastian would be breaking out in hives at the disorganization of it all.

Next to me, in a perfectly pressed purple suit, Sylvano sits, one leg crossed over the other. His fingertips are pressed together, his elbows resting on the arms of the chair that had seen its last day a year ago. No matter how fabulous he looks, the expression on his face, his narrowed eyes, makes him feel exceptionally intimidating.

We’ve spent the last day and a half preparing for this interrogation.

“Be more specific, Superintendent Day,” Sylvano says. I wonder if Teresa can sense the danger from him. He’s a vampire, an old one, from what Mason has told me. He’s been practicing law since it was basically invented in this country.

Teresa doesn’t seem intimidated, though. She clasps her hands together and leans forward, resting her elbows on the desk. “How did the two of you meet?” She looks over at Sylvano and raises an eyebrow, almost as if to say,there, specific enough?

“Through mutual associates,” I state, just like Sylvano trained me. “My best friend has known him for several years. We were around each other. But I got to know Sebastian when I started working for him.”

“You finished your residency at his hospital,” Teresa states.

“Yes,” I answer simply.

“And it was he who submitted your name to the board for full certification,” she states again. She’s not asking questions. She’s done her research.

“Yes,” I once again supply.

“So, it was during this time that the two of you became romantically involved.”

“Yes.”

“One might call into question the legitimacy of your having earned your title, doctor,” she says coldly.

“Superintendent, if you have something to say, say it straight,” Sylvano says in a tone that’s frigid as Antarctica. “Doctor Doe earned her certificate after years of medical school and residency, just like any other doctor you’ve ever seen.”

Teresa presses her lips into a thin line. They try to form a smile, but it comes out dripping with condescension. “And from my understanding, you lived in an apartment provided to you by Sebastian.”

“I paid him rent, but yes, Sebastian was the landlord.” My insides are bristling, and it’s taking everything I have in me to bite my tongue and not say something reckless and stupid.

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