Federal Paranormal Unit Bundle: Shape Shifter Paranormal Romance by Milly Taiden Page B

I know she dated in the past, but she always cut them off when they started to look for more. She’s scared to trust and depend on anyone. When she thinks that’s where the relationship is headed, she dumps the poor saps.”
    “Wait, if that’s what’s waiting for me, why would you want to help me?”
    “I told you, I like you, and I am pretty sure she does too. Erica is very private, but she’s got this entire ice queen persona going when it comes to men. She’s like a sister to me, and I want her to be happy.” Brock’s smile slid off his lips, his eyes taking a bright glitter Trent knew as some kind of paranormal energy fighting to come loose. “So that means if you don’t make her happy I will kick your ass.”
    “Threat?”
    “No. That’s a promise.”
    Trent had a lot to think about. He contemplated the food that remained. His appetite had vanished, so he pushed the plate away. Things with Erica were not going to go as smoothly as he’d predicted. He knew what they had between them was special and worth pursuing. He’d never felt the way he did with her with any other woman. His mother and sisters had always told him that when he met his mate he’d know because he wouldn’t be able to stand the thought of being away from her. Just imagining Erica out of his life made his palms clammy, his stomach twist, and his anger soar. He just needed to find a way around her mistrust.
    He glanced up to catch Brock watching him with a smile. “I told you, she’s going to be a hard one.”
    “She’s my mate.”
    “Look, I know what that means to you, which is why I’m not going to give you a dissertation over your playboy past, but Erica doesn’t really know what a mate means to you. I trust that you have long-term intentions with her.”
    Trent was no quitter, and Erica was the woman he wanted. And not just for a little while, he knew she was the right one for him. She was a prickly, sarcastic, bossy, and sexy-as-hell little harpy. Yeah, she was the perfect woman for him. His mate. “Don’t worry about me. I’m not letting her go anywhere.”
    Brock laughed and ate the last of his fries. “OK, but you need to tell her about your little animal problem.”
    Trent nodded. “I plan to. Soon.”
    “Good. She already mistrusts people. The last thing she needs is to feel like you’ve been playing games with her too.” He leaned back on his seat, making the plastic on the booth seat squeak. “Now that we’ve got that out of the way, tell me about the case. Other than what she’s told me, what is your impression?”
    “Honestly? I think the ex either did it or knows who did. This is aggravating as hell. The bodies have been scrubbed clean, so no particular scent is left behind. Even their apartments are so filled with stuff we can’t discern a particular scent. So that’s my guess. Look. Two girls went out with the same guy. They both disappear, are murdered, and there’s no other links between them. And we know that they were killed by the same guy.”
    Brock nodded and handed his plate to the waitress, who had popped up out of nowhere.
    “Can I get you anything else, handsome?” She gave Brock what Trent assumed to be her version of a sexy smile.
    Brock grinned, probably because of the lipstick, and pointed to the pie display. “Do you have apple over there?”
    “Sure do. Want it warmed up with some ice cream?” She licked her lips, and Trent almost burst into laughter.
    “Yes, please.” Brock winked at the woman, and she sighed as she walked away, completely ignoring Trent in her haste to get the piece of pie.
    Trent shook his head. “That’s messed up, man.”
    “Hey, if it gets me some food without spit in it, I’ll gladly smile and wink at anyone handling the stuff that’s going to go in my mouth.” Brock was unapologetic.
    He did have a point.
    “Did Donovan find out anything else about our victims and their social media?” Facebook, Twitter, and all the other social sites made