Page 4 of Feral Attraction
“Me.Natch.Len, Rob, and Henry.”
“Not Lauren?”
“Nope.She has plans.Just you and the boys.”
“I’ll pass.”No way was she going with just the guys.They’d get sloshed on beer, brag about their exploits, and recount the latest stats on Yankee games.In between, they’d drop hints about wanting to fuck her.They were harmless.Their sexual jibes were more for the other guys than for her.
“Oh, come on.You’ll be somebody to hit on.”
“I understand, but I don’t want to get any of you in trouble since the department frowns on sexual harassment.”
“So you’re passing for our benefit.”
“Yeah.”
“You don’t know what you’re missing.”He slid off her desk.When papers fell to the floor, he leaned over to fetch them.
“I think I do, Arnie.Next time.”
At shift change, she gathered the case files and her personal murder book, stuffing them into her messenger bag.Since it was spring, she was fine with her blazer, which she unhooked from the back of her chair before slipping it on.Removing her purse from the drawer, she slung it over her shoulder and headed out for her condo on Washington in Tribeca.It was a little after midnight.
Rey never left the precinct on time.Some called her driven, an overachiever.She was.And she was okay with that.After all, who did she have waiting at home?Nobody.
When she felt like going for a long hike, she walked.Not in the mood tonight, she took the steps to the subway, caught the train, and exited at Chambers.From there, it was a short walk to her place, her refuge.
Inside, she greeted the security guard and rode the elevator to the top floor of the luxury complex.After a rough start in life, Rey had lucked out.Her adoptive parents were great people—older and loving—who also hadbeaucoupmoney and a condo in Tribeca.
They’d had everything a couple could have except a child.When they died, she inherited all they owned.Even though she didn’t need to, she worked.She saw her job as giving back what she owed.
Using her keycard, she entered the four-bedroom, sumptuous interior.Rey had not redecorated much or remodeled since her parents died.She liked the place the way it was.Contemporary luxury, low-level furniture, all done in muted brown tones.
Large picture windows let in light during the day and revealed a breathtaking skyline at night.She dropped her messenger bag and purse on the living room coffee table.
Rey never moved into her parents’ room.That felt wrong.Instead, she kept her old bedroom.It remained much the same as it had always been, except she repainted and decorated it with a new bedspread and pillows.It didn’t offer a great view, but it was okay.
In her bedroom, she kicked off her boots and disrobed.After a shower, she donned pajamas and headed for the kitchen, a vast open space off the living room.She peeked into the fridge and extracted a store-bought prepared meal.After popping it into the microwave, she accessed theNew York Timeson her cell, reading it while waiting.
When the timer dinged, she removed her food and ate standing up.Sitting at the table brought back sad memories.This was better.Finished, she dumped the container into the trash and went into the living room, where she dragged the files out of her bag.
Rey settled onto the couch to read.She’d never worked a case that involved an Aeternal.This one hadp-r-o-b-l-e-mwritten all over it.That was why she’d called Chiara for help.She had a top-notch solve record and didn’t want to ruin it.Even if it meant putting up with a bit of testosterone to do it.
As she did many nights, she fell asleep on the sofa, reading over case files.
