Page 42 of Unhallowed Murder
“Yeah. Sorry to cut the celebration short, but I’ve missed him.”
“He’s good for you. Enjoy the rest of your evening.”
Her team had welcomed Josef into the fold, but he’d known how to win them over. When they worked late, he frequently showed up with food. He’d learned everyone’s favorite, and he made sure he brought a spread that made them all happy. He’d also shown up — more times than she could count — with enough mugs of hot coffee for everyone when he knew they had to be out in the cold at night. When he took care of her, he also took care of her people.
He’d been gone for ten days though, and she’d missed him something terrible. He’d accompanied Abbott on a trip to deal with an out-of-control wolf alpha in another territory. She’d had to be okay knowing Josef would be feeding and fucking from various shapeshifters in a show of power — a way to establish the hierarchy.
They weren’t in Abbott’s territory, but the Master Vampire of that territory hadn’t been able to gain control of the town, so the Concilio had asked him to do so. Josef said it never hurts to earn favor with them, so they went.
Honestly, she was fine with him fucking someone for political reasons, as a show of power, but she’d told him if she ever found out he fucked anyone romantically besides her, she’d rip his balls off, watch them grow back, and rip them off again.
She’d meant it, and he’d believed her.
However, as their relationship had progressed, she’d realized the threat wasn’t necessary. He’d be true to his word because it was the kind of person he was.
Her vampire fed from her a few times a week when he was in town, and from other non-feline shapeshifters the rest of the time — but he didn’t screw them. Not anymore.
Ronnie slid out of the too-fancy SUV Josef had surprised her with on her birthday, and stepped into the hangar’s office area. The manager recognized her and motioned towards a monitor. “They aren’t far. Maybe ten minutes.”
Ronnie closed her eyes and pushed her consciousness towards him. Now that he’d had her blood, he could talk to her from a much farther distance, and it was also easier for her to initiate contact.
His voice came into her head, and it was like music for her soul.
I’ve missed you, Bellula. It’ll be good to get home.
I might’ve noticed you were gone a few times, she teased.Can we go straight home, or do you have other responsibilities to get to, first?
Straight home. Everything else can wait until you’re asleep.
Dating a vampire wasn’t as complicated as she’d first assumed. He slept while she worked. He awoke and handled some of his obligations from his basement until she arrived home, and then she had his undivided attention, most nights. Once she went to sleep, usually a little before midnight, he had the rest of the night for his security obligations. They had their evenings together, and they both had their jobs.
She waited for him to come to her, when he got off the plane, and she gladly went into his arms when he neared her and opened them, inviting her into his embrace. She closed her eyes and leaned into him, happy to feel his energy. His scent was off because he hadn’t fed from her in so long, but he still smelled like Josef. God, how she’d missed him. Her heart settled into her chest a little easier.
He hadn’t fed yet, but he wasn’t overly hungry. He’d have taken a few sips from one of the wolves on the plane if he’d needed it.
“A life on death row, knowing they probably won’t kill him, but might…” Josef held her a little tighter. “It’s as much as you could hope for within the current societal constraints.”
Josef was a firm believer in the death penalty, and thought a swift, public, and gruesome execution was the best way to prevent more crime.
“I know. It’s behind me, now. The case is closed. There won’t even be parole hearings to deal with.” She shrugged. “I bought several rounds of drinks tonight. It’s behind us. You had a successful trip?”
He took her keys from her hand and tossed them to a werewolf who stood ten feet away with Josef’s luggage. “Come. We’ll talk while I drive us home. You have entirely too many clothes on for my liking.”
She’d worn a suit to court, and still had on the skirt and blouse. Spring had hit in the south, so she wasn’t actually wearing that many clothes.
Josef eyed the luggage in the back of the SUV to be sure everything was there, retrieved Ronnie’s keys from the wolf, and walked her to the passenger side to put her in. He always drove when it was the two of them.
When they were on their way, he answered her earlier question. “We deposed the Alpha Wolf, removed those who would’ve continued his regime, and made sure we left people in place who would fix his many, many wrongs. Abbott moved another Strigorii master in to run the city, and we found appropriate situations for the slaves. As always, some will eventually be rehabilitated, while the others will likely need someone to watch out for them the rest of their lives.”
“Sometimes, I’m envious of those who police the supernaturals, because you can walk in andfixthe situation without having to deal with so much red tape, and without having to risk a judge fucking everything up.” She blew out a breath. “But I’ll keep my job policing humans. I’m not sure I could…” Ronnie shook her head. She was glad the judge stepped in and handled the actual consequences. Her job was to the find the bad guys and hand them off to the justice system.
“On the contrary, you know you could, you just worry you’d enjoy it too much. If you could’ve killed Griffin after he confessed, things would be so much simpler.”
“Maybe.” She changed the subject. “Your energy is smoother this time.”
He’d come home from one of these trips full of the blood of human traffickers. She couldsmellthe evil, and she’d made him drink from her until his energy was right again.
Chapter Twenty-Four
