The Siren Read Online Free PDF Page B

stupor. “I have a tad bit more than that in savings. I banked my combat pay over the years in case I ever needed it.” He winked at me, almost recovering my full attention to what he was saying. “I think we’ll be OK.”
    A part of me—the shallow part that liked to buy shoes—wanted to ask how much money we were talking about, but I didn’t dare. The other part of me was so distracted by the Adonis stretched across my comforter that I dropped my clothes onto the floor when I meant to put them on the bed.
    He chuckled. “You missed.”
    “Shut up.” I bent and gathered them up.
    Refusing to look at my boyfriend—or his perfect set of abs—I spread my outfit across the foot of the bed before turning toward my dresser. Inside the top drawer, where I stashed my mostly-fake jewelry, I found the silver angel pin Kayleigh Neeland had given me after Nathan and I rescued her. Like a talisman to keep me safe, I fixed it to my blouse, as I did every morning.
    When my clothes were in order, I retrieved some clean underwear from the dresser before returning to the bathroom and turning on the shower. I stuck my head into the bedroom and looked at Warren. “I’m locking this door.”
    “You don’t trust me?”  
    I laughed. “Not even a little bit.”
    * * *

    My brain was everywhere but on my work that day, and the minutes seemed to be ticking backward each time I glanced at the clock. I thought about Rachel Smith. I thought about Texas with Nathan and Warren. And, most of all, I thought about whatever big talk Warren was planning for that evening. I worked through lunch in hopes of leaving early, and despite all my mental wandering, I had everything completed by four. As I packed up my things, my boss stepped into my office.  
    Mary Travers was waving a sheet of paper in her tiny hand like a surrender flag. “Vacation request, huh?”  
    I smiled from behind my desk. “Yeah. I’m heading to Texas for a little break.”
    She handed me the paper that was stamped APPROVED in bright red letters. “You should be aware, there’s a rumor going around Human Resources that Detective McNamara asked for next week off as well. There’s speculation that it may be more than a coincidence.” She was grinning as she peered at me over her brown glasses.
    I laughed and put the paper on top of the stack in my inbox. “Detective McNamara is going with me, but I can assure you it’s nothing to gossip about. We’re just friends.”
    She put a hand on her hip. “I may be old enough to be your mother, but I’m not senile or blind. You’ve had a thing for that boy since the first day he started work here.”
    I folded my hands on my desk. “My boyfriend, Warren, is going with us,” I said. “Do you remember him? I introduced you at the Mexican restaurant a while ago.”
    “Tall, dark, and handsome?” she asked.
    I nodded. “That’s Warren.”
    “I heard my name,” Warren said, walking into my office behind Mary.  
    She spun around so fast I thought she might fall down. She clasped her hands over her heart. “You startled me!”
    I laughed and covered my mouth with my hand.  
    Warren smiled and squeezed her shoulder. “I apologize,” he said. “It’s good to see you again, Ms. Travers.”
    “The same to you, Warren.” She looked back over her shoulder. “Have a good night, Sloan.”
    I waved. “You too,” I called out as she left.
    Warren leaned over my desk and pressed his lips to mine. My heart fluttered. “Hey, gorgeous,” he said when he pulled away.
    “What are you doing here?” I asked.
    He sat down in one of the chairs opposite my desk and relaxed with his arms on the armrests. “Can I not come see you at work?”
    I tilted my head to the side. “Of course you can, but you never do. What’s up?”
    He looked down at his watch. “I was in the neighborhood, so I thought I would come by and pressure you to leave early.”
    I smiled. “Well, you’re in luck. I was just getting ready to head out