Darrell walked back to the kitchen. “You want some coffee? I’m assuming you do. So the woman last night, is she who’s got that weight on your soul? You know what I’d do?” “What?” “I’d go find her.” Not sure he wanted to reveal that he already had, Nate decided to ask, “How would I do that?” “Her scent. Duh.” Oh. That. The fresh shampoo mixed with her aroma that he couldn’t get out of his nose. And then the sweet scent of arousal he’d gotten a whiff of when they were walking hand in hand. God help me. “It’s a big city. That’s not so easy.” A knock at the door swung both of their heads in that direction as a muffled voice called through, “Let me in.” Danny. “How’d he get in the building?” Darrell mumbled, impressed. Nate opened the door and walked Danny with a look that sized up the messy room with distaste. He turned on his packmate. “Elliott tells me you’ve contacted the woman you saved.” Nate cast a guilty look at Darrell and shrugged at the dropped jaw waiting for him in t

“Can you turn the TV up?” Bonnie asked and the bartender glanced over to her and nodded, then grabbed the remote. The reporter grew louder by the second. “They still haven’t found the animal that killed Robert Williams here a little past 3:30 a.m. last Saturday. As we’ve told you, police say the body was torn to shreds, but now we hear that the zoo is denying any animals have escaped, assuring us they are on full lockdown. What was it that killed Robert Williams that night, are the supernaturals back? And most importantly, are we safe?” Lauren’s voice came through the fog. “So scary.” As if someone had just packed her gut with ice, Bonnie stared at the screen. “Oh my God,” she whispered. Lauren glanced over. “Haven’t you seen this? They’ve been talking about it for days.” Numb, Bonnie shook her head, admitting quietly, “I don’t watch the news.” Laying down the menu and picking up her fresh glass, Lauren shrugged one shoulder. “Smart. It’s always bad

Glancing around the room to movie posters on the walls, Bonnie took a seat across from an oval silver desk. “Does your firm design movie theaters?” she asked, smiling. Blue eyes flicked to the posters and he shook his head a little, lowering himself jovially into a high-backed, gray leather chair that blended with his suit. “No, just an obsession of mine. My partners wish I’d put photos of buildings on the walls, but I ignore a lot of what they say.” He grinned, eyeing her with so much interest, it made her a little uneasy. “So, Ms. Zane. Tell me about yourself.” She hated this question in interviews, but she’d had enough to arm herself. She’d learned to always have a few sentences at the ready, something short and sweet that told a little about herself, but not too much, something that showed her dedication yet also sounded personable. “Well, I’m from California, USA, and moved here five years after graduating from Berkeley with a marketing degree. I’ve got plants, but no pets. I

Bonnie turned in her chair to see a man open the door and look around. He was dressed in an expensive suit just like the other two, but his was brown. His tie was blue and thin. He looked like he’d walked out of a magazine he was so fashionable and hip, even with his hair that short. Their eyes met and she instantly remembered him. “Elliot!” she whispered, confused. He showed no surprise at seeing her and glanced at the other two. “Verdict?” Nate’s friend was a partner here, too? Wait, D.E.N. Darrell & Danny, Elliott, Nate. She felt weak. Turning pale, she squeaked, “What’s going on?” Danny said, with an annoyed sigh, “I hate to admit it, but I like her.” Bonnie gaped at him. “Can you come this way?” Elliott asked with a gentle tone. She flipped back around so fast that her things crashed onto the floor. “Leave those where they lie,” he said as his brown eyes danced with amusement. “Come with me, Bonnie.” Flustered, she rose and left her belongings lying there, to follow him

At five-thirty, Nate was dressed in Chavez Boss black slacks and blazer, over a cream-colored shirt unbuttoned with no tie. He sat in his limo sedan, deep in thought. Nick, his driver of the past three years, had the window partition down and was strumming lightly on the steering wheel as they made their way toward the East Village. Through the window, Nate spotted a flower display outside a local bodega. “Stop here.” The fingers paused strumming to turn the wheel, bringing the car gracefully to parallel-park directly in front of the store. Nike started to get out but stopped as Nate opened the door and sprang out with more enthusiasm than he’d felt in years. An Asian woman in her sixties stood over the flowers, smelling them and taking her time. After perusing the vast array of colorful blooms gathered in twine, Nate picked several bunches of deep purple orchids. The woman gave the gathered bunches in his hand a wrinkly smile. “Lovely!” He returned her friendly manner. “Thank yo