Bitter Black Kiss Read Online Free PDF

sobered, and she looked away. “If you say you didn’t do it, I believe you. That’s why I hoofed it over. I had to make sure they didn’t haul you in on some bogus bullshit.”
    “So you decided just to question me on a bunch of circumstantial bullshit?”
    “In all fairness, you did knock Alvarez around. Who’s to say you didn’t do the same to Amy? It’s easy for the situation to get out of hand once you’re in a particular frame of mind.” He opened his mouth to protest, but she cut him off. “I’m not saying you did. We just had to establish where you stand, okay? Don’t be surprised if they want to talk to you again. I may not get to sit in next time. They say I'm biased."
    “Thanks a lot.” They moved past a row of empty cars. “So do you have any leads in regards to Amy’s whereabouts?”
    “No, she’s still missing.” Vasquez unhooked her arm from his. The purse she dug through was gigantic. She found her keys then glanced up at him and smiled. “So, if you learn anything, I’d appreciate it if you’d share. It sure seems like someone is following your every move, so be sure to cover your ass.”
    She produced a folder from the bag, but held it with tight fingers even as his closed around it. “And make damn sure you cover mine too.” Finally, she let go.
    The other shoe had dropped. Sometimes, it proved impossible to follow the straight and narrow as described in the giant book of rules. He hadn’t been a dirty cop, not by any means. But he had methods of getting suspects to talk. He could chase down criminals and make deals with them better than any other cop on the force. The people he worked with envied his ability to close cases and began to formulate some outlandish ideas. The jealousy and rumors had hurt his reputation. Vasquez had been the only one at the precinct that would ride with him. He at least owed her for that.
    Her face clouded. Somehow she managed to pull a smile. “I wasn’t going to tell you until I had something definite, but I’ve been bending a few ears.”
    “Oh?”
    “I’m trying to get the department to at least pay you for all the help you’ve given us.”
    He laughed, but it carried no optimism.
    She regarded the baggy jeans and Depeche Mode t-shirt. “I think I prefer you in dress clothes, Brody. You look like half the people we haul in.”
    Shrugging, he brushed a hand down the front of his shirt and grinned. “Still the same loveable me in these rags.”
    That got a laugh out of her. Vasquez opened the car door, pitched the purse into the back seat. “I’m curious. Why can’t you just let this thing with Stone die? You’re aware there are other people who bring drugs into the city, right?”
    “You figure it out.”
    “I’m trying.” She dropped into the sedan. “Are you sure this isn’t personal? You got shamed while he was welcomed.”
    He shook his head. “This isn’t a pissing contest. I’m happy to keep my other nature hidden. I don’t crave the public attention like he does.”
    “You’ve let it become personal, Brody. Sometimes you’ve got to step back and view the big picture. For every bad guy we take out, there are more just like him waiting in the wings.”
    He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. “I see the picture, Eva. Every time someone takes BST it affects me and my kind.”
    “But not everyone who takes it is Lycan.”
    “People aren’t too hot on the idea of it allowing us free access to our other form. The fact that it fucks up regular people isn’t so great either.”
    “Your kind?” Confusion showed on her face. Her eyes scrunched, and the fine lines around them stood out in sharper detail. “I thought you didn’t want anything to do with your  kind . You’re still a loner, aren’t you?”
    “I choose not to be in a pack, so yeah, I’m an independent. It doesn’t change what I am.”
    “You keep out of trouble, understand?” Vasquez allowed him to shut the door. She rolled the window down.