Vampire's Companion by Jory Strong Page B

confirmed it, Cia introduced them and explained the reason for the visit, asking if Chloe or her father was there.
    “No, neither of them is here.”
    “Do you have a minute?” Cia asked.
    Mindy shifted from one foot to the other. “I don’t have anything to offer. Really. I’ve been out of town for the last week. Robert told me the police had contacted him about Kadence running away. I’m sure he told them everything he knows.”
    “Does Chloe have a bedroom here?”
    “Yes.” She stepped fully into the doorway, anticipating what Cia would ask next. “I don’t feel comfortable letting you search it, not unless you have a warrant. I’m sorry but… Things are a little tricky, with Chloe, and between Chloe and Robert because of his leaving Sonya.”
    Mindy’s right hand moved up and down on the doorjamb. She glanced over her shoulder as though conscience warred with guilt.
    “Can you give us anything?” Cia asked. “Anything at all? Kids Kadence’s age think they’re invincible. They think they have all the answers. But I’m a homicide cop, and before that a street cop. I’ve seen what happens to runaways.”
    Mindy’s hand dropped from the doorframe then returned as if she didn’t know what do with it. “It might be nothing…”
    You don’t believe that. But he remained silent, letting Cia work it.
    “Let us decide if it’s useful or not.”
    Her use of us had warmth sliding through his chest.
    Mindy rubbed the doorframe, harder this time. “I’d appreciate it if you didn’t let on that I told you this.”
    Cia nodded rather than give a verbal promise.
    Mindy sighed, hand dropping to her side again. “Chloe is…difficult. Neither of her parents wants to be the heavy, and it’s not my place to be. I mean, I’m just the girlfriend.”
    Her voice trailed off. Cia said, “And kids that age can be hard to deal with anyway.”
    “Exactly. I know I was. If Chloe is asked to do a chore, she’ll either ignore the request or argue about it. But…”
    “Please, let us decide if what you’ve noticed is useful or not.”
    Mindy’s exhale sounded shaky. “Okay. Okay. For the last few months Chloe has been volunteering to get the mail. She and Kadence will show up together. They’ll hang out, then say they’re going to the game room or to check out the pool and would I like for them to stop by the box.”
    “She doesn’t have her own key?”
    “No. She’s asked, but Robert hasn’t gone to the rental office and arranged for her to have one.” Mindy shrugged. “So I let her use mine. There’s no reason to say no.”
    “And when they come back to the apartment?”
    “They’ve just got our mail. I’ve watched them get into Chloe’s car with boxes and packing envelopes before coming inside. It might be nothing. I mean, Robert and Sonya don’t say no when Chloe wants something. They’re her personal ATMs.”
    Cia probed for several minutes without gaining anything new. In the car he said, “Definitely something to pursue. Tomorrow.”
    He moved in as close as possible, an arm going around her headrest, his body turned toward her. She stiffened, the prickly cop returned.
    Did he dare poke at her the way a camper might a porcupine? He grinned. Why not? That was but one glorious aspect of his returned freedom.
    He waited until close to Tessa’s house, to Terach, heat and hunger intensifying with proximity.
    “Shall we continue the conversation on the beach?” he asked.
    “No.”
    “What about this?”
    He cupped her breast and was rewarded by the stab of her nipple. By a moan that belonged to him alone, by the scent of aroused woman.
    “I’m thinking the answer is yes,” he said, anticipation building.
    They rolled to a stop in front of Tessa’s house and Terach rose from a chair on the porch. Cia’s breath caught. Her heart hammer-beat against his palm.
    “Going to keep hiding from the truth? Going to run from it?” He gave her nipple a sensual twist before releasing it to snag