Page 3 of Night Prey
“And being a cop was the route you chose.”
“It kind of chose me.” He focused on his feet, uncharacteristic for this take charge guy. “We had a situation with my mom. An overdose. A veteran cop showed up and handled it well. I was impressed with him and told him so. He said they were looking for good men, so I signed on. I thought it would be a short-term gig. I didn’t expect I would really like the job and stick with it.”
His decision fascinated her, and she needed to know more. “What do you like about the job?”
“I encounter people on their worst days. Many of them are just misunderstood and need someone to advocate for them. Touches a nerve with me.” He took a long breath. “I was misunderstood in high school. When we moved here in my junior year, it didn’t take long for my parents’ partying ways to get around. Everyone expected me to be a Hollywood party guy. But I wasn’t—I’m not—and I wouldn’t pretend to be one just to fit in. That’s all kinds of freak show in high school. Everyone couldn’t get why I turned my back on the lifestyle they would love to have. But I wouldn’t pretend to be anything to fit in, and no one knew how to classify me. So I kept to myself.”
“Except for that night when you intervened on my behalf.” She swallowed and searched the crowd for Junior but didn’t see him.
Ian ground his teeth. “I can’t believe you didn’t press charges against the little creep.”
“I couldn’t.” She explained about staying with Reed. “And after all my work with runaway teens, I think I might’ve been right, and I would’ve been moved to a new home.”
“I wish I could say you were wrong, but I could see it happening.”
“It doesn’t matter,” she said. “It really doesn’t. Not anymore. It’s all in the past now. In a way, his attack was a good thing.”
Ian snorted. “How can that be?”
“It helped make me want to do what I’m doing now, and my underserved clients benefit from that. And it also helped me learn to forgive.”
“So you’ve forgiven the little creep?”
She glanced past him at the group and wondered what they thought of her outburst with Junior. “It was either that or let it eat me alive. My youth leader helped me see that wasn’t a good option. I still don’t like him or what he did, and I don’t want to be around him. But Ihaveforgiven him and moved on.”
Ian tilted his head and studied her. “I’m most impressed, Malone Rice. You’re not only something to look at, but you’ve developed into quite the person too.”
She felt a blush crawling up her neck and heating her face. “It’s no biggie.”
“But it is. I mean look at that.” He pointed across the room at the displays set up to highlight charities where her picture was posted outside the office ofTeen Solutions. “You’re a charity rock star.”
His tone held respect, but his gaze was playful, and if she wasn’t mistaken, he was flirting with her. She couldn’t hold her own in the flirting department. She had little to no practice, and she was sure Ian had fully mastered the skill in grade school.
She pointed at the door where Junior was exiting the room. “I need to decide if I want to hear what he has to say.”
“I remember when you did that report in school. You said the crash was an accident. So do you think he’s right? That there’s more to it that you don’t know about?”
“Doubtful. There was never any question that it was more than an accident. He probably has something else up his sleeve.”
“But you don’t know what he’s playing at?”
“No,” she said. “But, heaven help me, he piqued my interest enough that I have to find out.”
“Want me to come with you?”
“No.” She pulled her shoulders back. “I’m a big girl now, and I won’t drink anything from an unknown source tonight. I can fight my own battles.”
“That, I don’t doubt one bit.”
Those eyes, with ever-changing shades of blue, lit with humor, and his face was alive and tempting. Now, there was a battle she was losing.
“Excuse me.” She forced herself to walk away before she decided to linger in the warm, calming, and yet exciting effect Ian still had on her.
She strode out the door and down a long hallway in the posh hotel to Ballroom D. Why he’d chosen that room she had no idea. Could just be because it wasn’t booked for the night.
The smaller ballroom held a stage at the far end of the room. Tables and chairs were stacked near the side walls. Junior sat on the stage swinging his legs. When he caught sight of her, he stilled. His gaze lit up, raising Malone’s concern. He jumped down and rushed toward her, the sound of his boots rustling over the carpet, bringing a tinge of fear to her heart.
She planted her feet and pulled her shoulders back. She would make herself look confident even if she didn’t feel it.
