The Mane Event
Page 35

Whats going on, Dez? Talk to me.
Nothings going on.
Dont lie to me, Desiree.
She leaned over, her elbows on her knees, and ran her hands through her hair. After a few moments of silence, she took in a deep breath. Petrovs body had marks on his throat. Claw marks. Except that the grip implied She looked at him with those beautiful gray eyes. Thumbs.
Mace observed her closely. She must have the smoothest skin known to man. Except for the frown lines in her forehead, which she always had, her skin was flawless. Clearly, Dez lived a relatively clean life. No drugs. Very little drinking. And, until recently, very little sex and the difficulties that sometimes come with it.
Are you going to answer me?
You didnt ask me a question, so I was staring at you instead.
She rubbed her eyes with the knuckles of her hands. Mace, what am I going to do with you?
Well, weve got that big bed right upstairs
Mace.
Or Ive been thinking about fucking you on this couch too.
Mace! She took another deep breath. Mace. This clearly involvesyou knowyour people, and Im not exactly sure how to handle this. Its not like I can go to my lieutenant and tell him there seems to be a rash of shifter killers around.
You dont have to. This stuff works out on its own. I just need you to stay out of the way, Dez. I cant have anything happen to you.
She leaned forward and ran her finger along the wound she recently unbandaged. You mean like this? We both know this wasnt an accident.
Debating what to say, he glanced down at her feet. The nails painted a bright red, she wore a small silver ring on the second toe of her right foot. Damn, even her feet were cute. It wasnt an accident, I just dont know why they targeted you. Unless they had something to do with it.
They?
He sighed. Things kept getting difficult. Well, more difficult. No point in lying now, though. Hyenas. When she simply raised an eyebrow at him, he continued. You know. Hyenas. Natural enemies of lions?
Yes, Mace. I know hyenas. I watch the Discovery Channel.
They did this to you. Im assuming whatever club you were in, whoever you met with, were hyenas.
Dez nodded slowly. He didnt think she understood, but apparently her NYPD attitude wouldnt allow her to show that weakness.
Theres one thing that confuses me.
Just one thing, he teased. He knew this had to be freaking her out. It still amazed him she hadnt tried to go for her shotgunagain.
Yeah. The club I was at last nightShaw was there. I mean, hes like you, right? Hes attached to your sister?
Mace nodded, surprised at how quickly she caught on. Who did you meet exactly?
Gina Brutale.
Yeah, theyre hyenas all right. Mace realized exactly how lucky he was. The Brutales are not to be messed with, Dez.
I wasnt. She called me. Said she had information on Petrov. She said he was in love with her. Is that even possible?
Sure. You can fall in love with anybody. And Ive heard hyenas are a wild ride in bed.
Dez glared at him. Thanks for the info, Mace.
Just trying to be helpful, Detective.
Dez ran her hand through her gorgeous mane of hair. Brutale owned the club. The Chapel on Sixteenth.
Mace shook his head. If they owned the club then that was hyena territory. Im sure the club is considered neutral but, still, Shaw must be playing Russian roulette if hes hanging out there.
Mace watched Dez as her mind turned around all he told her. She seemed to be less than interested in the fact of what he was. Not while she still had a case to solve.
Brutale thinks your sister killed Petrov.
Do you?
She sighed. No. Although I really wanted her to. Im still not sure why me, though. What did I do?
You probably still had my scent on you when you went to the club. When you were running from me.
She held her hand up. Okay. Please stop.
Whats wrong?
Its getting a little weird for me.
Whats weird, Dez? The hyenas? The lions? He leaned down, his elbows resting on his knees, his hands clasped in front of him. Or you smelling like me?
Her eyes narrowed at the same time her nipples hardened. He almost smiled. He loved making her crazy.
Well, your sister didnt kill Petrov. I dont think Brutale killed him. Shaw, however, could have oryou know She shrugged and watched him with those gray eyes.
You know what? She raised one eyebrow, and he exploded. Are you suggesting I may have killed the man?
Now, calm down. Its only a suggestion.
A very fucking insulting suggestion!
Theres no reason to yell at me.
You accuse me of murder and theres no reason to yell at you?
Is it still considered murder amongst your people?
Amongst my people? Are you fucking kidding me with this shit?