Page 65 of Soul Sucker

“If I wasn’t, I wouldn’t have asked.”

“Then I’ll stay for a while.”

She waited until he came in and shut the door. “You have to cook me dinner though.”

“I guessed that. Or we could order in some pizza. I like pizza.”

“So do I.”

He held up his wallet. “I’ll even pay for it.”

* * *

Vadim closedthe lid of the pizza box and secured it tightly.

“That was excellent.”

“Yeah, they do a pretty good job.” Ella patted at her mouth with one of the red-checked napkins the pizza place had given them, burped discreetly and put her paper plate on top of the pizza box.

Vadim removed it and stood up. “I’ll put this in the refrigerator for you.”

“Sure and while you’re there, can you get me another beer?”

He picked up the pizza box, her empty beer bottle and the two plates. “Where does the recycling go?”

“There’s a green container under the sink.” She looked back at him over her shoulder. “Don’t worry about it now. Come and sit down and belittle this cop show with me.”

He ignored her and focused on cleaning up the kitchen, finding two more beers and locating the recycling bin. When he returned to the couch she held out her hand for the beer without taking her gaze away from the TV.

“Thanks.” She pointed at the screen. “Look at that guy. He’s getting results to a complex DNA issue overnight!”

Vadim cautiously stretched out beside her and sipped at his own beer. It was time to catch the last ferry, or stay and risk ending up in Ella’s bed. He couldn’t deny that he was tempted. Despite his distrust of empaths, she intrigued and excited him in a way no other woman ever had. She always came right back at him, questioning his judgment, arguing about everything and generally getting in his face. Most empaths were far too sensitive to want to tangle with him. Alexei had been right about Vadim’s shields; something about their complexity, the darkness behind them repelled empaths. Even Natasha, who claimed to love him, had been unwilling to trust him one hundred percent.

The fact that Ella didn’t seem to be repelled was in itself enough to send him running for the ferry. He was in no position to take on any commitments other than the preservation of his own life. But he had to stay because he needed her to solve the case. So wasn’t he doing what was best for them both? His instincts screamed she was in danger and that he was the only one who could keep her safe. And when it came down to it, he wanted to stay with her. Helikedher, goddammit.

“Are you okay with me sleeping on the couch again?”

She looked at him. “You can sleep wherever you like.”

“The couch will be fine.”

“Whatever.” The phone rang. She glanced at the caller display and went still. “Damn.”

“I’ll get it,” Vadim offered.

“No, it’s my mom and she’ll just start asking why you’re here, and I don’t need that right now.” She picked up the receiver and cradled it against her shoulder. “Hey.”

Ella’s expression gradually changed from relaxed to uptight and haunted.

“Yeah, I know that, Mom. I tried to tell you yesterday, but?—”

Her mother was off again.

“Iknow. Fuck it, she was my best friend, don’t…” Even though she sounded strong, Vadim was fascinated to see tears falling down Ella’s cheeks. He offered her his handkerchief but she refused to relinquish her tight hold on her beer. Leaning close and, ignoring her ferocious frown, he dabbed at the tears himself.

Eventually even Mrs. Walsh ran out of things to say and Ella concluded the call. She dropped the receiver back into its cradle and flung herself down on the couch, one hand over her eyes.

“That woman drives me mad. She’s telling me off because Laney was killed.”

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