Page 33 of Tempt the Dragon
“No, Detective Posner, I’m his partner. And you’re not wearing those cute little booties you have such a large supply of overthere. Tracking bloody footprints throughout the crime scene is bound to be problematic.”
Aiken didn’t bother to look down. He hadn’t picked up on that detail but chuckled inwardly at the quick flash of irritation in Posner’s eyes as he was caught off guard.
Ignoring his embarrassment, the detective narrowed his gaze at Mel. “How do you know my name?”
She stepped closer to him andflicked the narrow silver name tag clipped to his lapel. “You wanted me to know.”
With a look of confusion Posner watched Mel walk past him, heading deeper into the store.
“Well, I don’t care who you are or how you came to be here, this is an official crime scene and you’re not a part of law enforcement.”
He’d figured this statement was coming. What he hadn’t banked on was how Posner’sgaze stayed transfixed to the sway of Mel’s ass as she walked in front of both of them now.
Rolling his shoulders, Aiken adjusted to the beast’s irritation and continued. “If you don’t mind, we’ll just look around to make sure nothing’s been stolen.” He retrieved his phone from the inside pocket of his jacket and pulled up a screen that looked like an inventory list. “We can be finished shortly,but we have to gather this information for the insurance company.”
Mel was no more than ten feet away from them at this point, standing in front of a set of shelves that held clay pots. She knelt down, the hipster leather jacket Ravyn had loaned her rising up a bit in the back so that the rich hue of her bare skin revealed a line of stars beginning at the base of her back and marching allthe way around her waist. Aiken stilled, his beast taking over, pressing against him with a deep guttural moan.
Posner no doubt heard the sound, but was mesmerized by the sight, as well, and took a few seconds before turning to look at Aiken.
“What are you really looking for?” It was too late to curse the momentary loss of control, now he had to deal with the detective that was no doubtsuspicious.
Placing a hand over his stomach, he shook his head. “You ever eat at the Diner on Grand Road? Man, their food’s good going down, but after that, I don’t know.”
The detective didn’t look fooled, but Aiken didn’t care. Mel was standing beside them again.
“I don’t think anything was stolen. Which means she not only let her killer into the store, but she probably knew him personally.This definitely wasn’t a robbery. Nothing’s out of place.” She was talking and looking around as if she still needed to make sure what she was saying was accurate. Aiken knew she’d seen all she needed to see, including whatever it was that had been on that floor that she’d knelt down to pick up.
“We don’t have any suspects at the moment. Did your client mention anything to you about owingsomebody money?” The question may have been asked of both of them, but Posner’s gaze was stuck on Mel. And dammit, the smile slowly spreading over her face said she was enjoying the attention.
“What makes you think she owed somebody money? Is Burgess known for gangsters who kill when they can’t collect?” she asked the detective.
“We’re known for a lot of things,” Posner replied.
“Really?Like what? Murder?” She’d stepped close to the detective again, looking up at him as if she were game for whatever the guy may have been thinking about her.
From where Aiken was standing, and the quick punch of lust that look on her face delivered to him, he could just imagine what Posner was thinking. He was gonna strangle her the moment they got back in that truck.
Posner shocked themboth when he reached out a hand to touch Mel’s hair. It was an odd move, one that had Mel narrowing her eyes at the guy, mouth turning from the smile to a frown, which said she was probably about to cuss him out.
“Some say Natalia Gionni was a witch,” Posner said, his gaze locked on Mel. “Do you believe in witches? Um, I’m sorry, I didn’t get your name.”
“I didn’t give it to you,” shewhispered and took a step back. “Witches, huh? No, I don’t think I heard anything about that.”
He stepped in now. “Do you believe in magick, Detective Posner?”
Posner returned his gaze, the corner of his mouth lifted in a smirk. “Doesn’t matter what I believe. All you need to know is that I’m going to find out who did this and why. So if you know anything, now’s the time to talk.”
Aiken held up his hands as if in defeat. “Nah. We only know security systems. Murder and magick are your thing, Detective.” His sarcasm was met with a full-on scowl and Posner nodded to someone behind Aiken.
“These two are just leaving,” Posner told the other enforcer, who came at his beckoning.
Legal or not, Aiken wasn’t going to be rushed. “When I’m done—”
“We’re done,” Mel interrupted.“Come on.” She’d walked past him, heading to the desk, before he could say or do anything else.
The minute they were in the truck he glanced over at her. “When did you get inked?”
“What?” she asked when she was situated in the passenger seat and reaching for her seat belt.
