Page 9 of Dragon's Desire

Peter's tone shifted. He'd been playful before. This was something else. "I've never laid one finger on a woman who didn't want me to. And I always made sure that I repaid them kindly for the honor. So, you can call me a pig or disgusting all you want, but don't you dare imply that I would ever do such a thing."

Kiercy actually felt a slight pang of guilt for what she said. He was an asshole. He was arrogant. He may have enjoyed his job a little too much, but she might have crossed a line there. The apology started to form on her lips, but he continued talking.

"And you'll understand why, because, one day soon, you'll see first-hand why they not only give me permission the first time but come back asking, if not begging, for me to touch them again. And my hands are always clean. At least to start with."

Any impulse she had to apologize for insinuating that he did anything to an unwilling woman died.

"You may not molest a woman with your hands, but you need to fucking learn to keep your mouth shut."

If he'd obliged her that much, he might actually be attractive. His body was a lovely staircase to a fucking fetid cesspool of a mind.

"Oh, we wouldn't want that."

"Do you see what I'm talking about? How the hell can you just sit there and let him say these things?"

Had Liam actually been listening, he may have interjected at some point, but calming piano music at high volume was helping him ignore them. He also did hear his phone ring, nor did it stop the two arguing. Then his cellphone rang.

He looked up and said, "Are you two done? Because some of us actually have some goddamn work to get done. There's been another attack."

7

PETER

These fuckers are gonna need to start keeping regular hours.Peter stretched and yawned as they approached the second crime scene back in Hell’s Kitchen.

“I got an idea, let’s get a night cap, some sleep, and investigate this in the morning all fresh like,” Peter said while stroking his bushy black beard.

Kiercy’s only response was to look up and back at him with her gorgeous almond eyes. And lovely as they were, the scolding daggers that came out of them were not as much.

“Okay, it was just a thought. No need to get all evil eyed on me,” Peter retorted.

A beat cop was stationed at the perimeter of the crime scene keeping looky-loos away as best he could. Kiercy and Peter pushed through the mob. “Make a whole you bunch of twats,” Peter said, pushing citizens to one side or another.

The patrolman put a halting hand up as they made it to the edge, but Kiercy flashed her PEACE credentials. “I’m on the job,” the cop nodded after looking at her credentials, and let the both of them pass under the tape.

Peter ribbed the patrolman with his elbow, “I can think of a better job for her, yeah?”

She immediately whirled on her heels and dashed the smile from both Peter and the patrolman. “You will most definitely not be sexually harassing me, objectifying me to anyone, especially another officer of the law. Do you understand me?”

Peter held his hands up in mock surrender. “Hey, we’re on the same team here. No offense intended. Now let’s get to it sweet cheeks.”

Her face bunched up in agitation so palpable she could hear her teeth grinding, even though she wasn’t biting down yet. “You just… I can’t even,” she turned away growling in anger.

As they walked further into the crime scene Peter shrugged his shoulders and held his hands up to the patrolman as if to say ‘I don’t get it.”

A couple of detectives were in an alleyway wearing latex gloves and shining flash lights to and fro. Clearly looking for any bit of evidence that may help elucidate the situation. When they saw Peter and Kiercy approach they stopped their investigation and prepared to speak.

Kiercy went first though. “I’m Agent Carrier of PEACE, and this is,” she turned toward Peter, but then decided against introducing him. “We’re here to discuss what happened. What can you share so far?”

“I’m Detective Taylor, and this is Detective Fields. Looks like a paranormal incident. We have a vic over in that squad and a couple of teen age eyewitnesses in that other car. The kids got video of it.” Taylor explained. “We’re looking for any forensics on the perp and the other vic.”

“Where’s vic two?” Kiercy asked.

“Kids say he just left with the perp,” Fields chimed in.

“So, an accomplice?” Kiercy wondered.

Taylor pointed to the car with the teens. “Not according to them, but you should hear them tell it.”

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