Page 97 of Seducer

He answered on the second ring. “Yeah?”

“Detective?”

“Who is this?”

I laughed. “You don’t recognize my voice?”

“Well, fuck. I didn’t anticipate hearing from you, buddy. At least not so soon. You up for a drink?” He was out of breath. Interesting.

“I’m looking for some help in your capacity as a man of law.”

“Well, I’ll see if it’s something I can do. I can’t break the law.”

“Of course not and I wouldn’t ask you to. Except I need to know the owner of a license plate.”

“That’s pushing my boundaries a little. Why?”

“Because the driver just attempted to run down a friend of mine. I’ll make it worth your while. Trust me. I have positive proof of the person responsible for killing Jerry Offsinger. I’ll be happy to provide that to you.”

“Do I need to worry about what you’re involved in?”

I remained on the street, studying the area. “I don’t think so. You forget I know people, some in very dark places. They don’t appreciate being threatened. Sometimes they ask me for help. This time I want to do the right thing.”

He acted as if he was hemming and hawing. “Do you mind if I ask who this person tried to run down?”

“A very special lady friend. She’s safe. She’s also very important to me and in truth, I think could do some damage to a certain group of men. As you might imagine, keeping her name out of this right now is better for both the lovely lady and myself. Are you interested?”

“Maybe. Give me the license plate number and I’ll go out on a limb since we’re friends. But you better come through on the evidence regarding Offsinger.”

“I will. I never break a promise.” I’d memorized the license plate, although the fucker had attempted to block it out.

“I got it. I’m headed to another crime scene. It might take me a few hours before I can get back to you.”

“That’s fine. Just call me when you have something.”

“Will do. Just remember what I said. I scratch your back, you scratch mine.”

I snorted. “Absolutely.”

As I ended the call, I peered over my shoulder at Sara’s peaceful face. Now my lovely wild kitty would need to fill in the blanks.

My instinct was working overtime. Someone believed she had solid information on the crime family her mother and father had been killed by. Maybe she did.

Or maybe the act of revenge didn’t have a time limit.

That much I truly believed in.

There was something very powerful about cradling her body as I entered my house. No other woman had been here. Not a single one. This was my place of peace, a location where I could relax and refresh.

But hearing her soft mews, knowing that she was completely safe, offered an entirely new set of feelings and emotions. She gently placed her hand on my chest, even opening her eyes.

By now, the sedative was starting to wear off, but I sensed she was exhausted. The hunt took a lot out of a person.

I’d prepared a room for her, ensuring not only her safety, but her comfort as well. She would soon learn this was where she belonged.

With Sara still in my arms, I threw back the covers. Her complexion was pale, but her lips were a rosy pink and I was drawn to how voluptuous they were. No one else would ever kiss them again.

I removed her shoes, placing them gingerly beside the bed. As I covered her up, she pursed her lips as if just for me. She was perfect in every way, but not only because of how badly she’d wanted to become a member of the Obsidian Society. She had a natural way about her that complemented her beauty.

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