Neva had never heard a sweeter sound. 'And why are your hands like ice?'
'Came through a snow storm to get here, and I got both wet and cold when I chased the killer back outside.'
'You should go home and change before you catch a chill.'
'Right now, catching a chill is the least of my worries.' Sav's curiosity swam around her. 'Where in hell were you, anyway? It felt farther away than either the diner or your place.'
She hesitated, but there was really no putting off the truth. Sav would have to know sooner or later, and right now, Neva needed help from someone who knew what they were doing. Someone who could possibly see the clues she was missing. She took a deep breath, then said, 'I've been continuing your investigations.'
With Sav's face bandaged, Neva couldn't see her reaction. But she could feel it. And right now, her sister was annoyed…and more than a little apprehensive. 'What do you mean?'
'I mean I raided your office and read the files.' She hesitated again, then added, 'And I've been up at the mansion.'
The sense of apprehension increased. 'Doing what?' Celebrating the moon with an incredible man I can't quite hate. She cleared her throat and hoped like hell her sister didn't catch the thought. She still had her shields up, but with the two of them, that often didn't mean much. 'Your files suggested the
Sinclairs were high on your list of suspects. So, I've been talking to them.'
'We can't get them to talk to us. How would you be able to?'
She didn't suspect, Neva thought. Or didn't imagine. But before she could answer, a babble of voices rose from outside the corridor. Angry voices, male and female. One was altogether too familiar--as was the scent that touched the air. Neva closed her eyes and silently swore. The last thing she needed right now was for Duncan to make an appearance.
Footsteps echoed--a sharp tattoo that spoke of anger. A nurse came into the room, face flushed and blue eyes irate.
'Sorry Miss Grant,' she said, her gaze seeking Neva's. 'But there's a man outside who claims to be your mate, and he demands to be let in the room.'
Savannah's shock stung the air. Neva took a deep breath and slowly released it. So much for keeping her tryst with Duncan a closely guarded secret. And given who her father was, the whole damn town would know tomorrow. 'Let him in.'
The nurse spun and marched back out. Savannah's grip on Neva's hand grew fierce.
'By the moon's light, Neva, what in hell have you done?'
Chapter Eight
What hadn't she done? Especially in the last forty- eight hours? Heat flushed Neva's cheeks, and she was suddenly glad her sister's face was still bandaged. 'I told you. I was up at the mansion.'
'But to join the moon dance?' Sav's voice was incredulous. 'Even I'm not that foolhardy.'
'I told you I was going to find the bastard and make him pay for what he did.'
Sav took a deep breath and slowly released it. 'Who did you use to gain entry?'
'Duncan. He's the only one you didn't have under suspicion.'
'And the wildest. He even spent a few days in jail.'
'For drunk- driving related offenses.'
'He's a repeat offender. A fool.'
Neva had no doubt Duncan would probably now be the first to admit it. And then wondered why in hell she was tempted to rise to his defense. Duncan certainly didn't seem to care what anyone thought about him, so why should she?
Sav was silent for a moment, and the sharp rap of approaching boot heels seemed to echo as loudly as
Neva's heart. And she wasn't sure if it was trepidation or merely the excitement of being close to him once again. 'I can understand why you did it,' Sav said quietly. 'Because I know if anyone ever hurt you, I'd do whatever it took to bring them in. But moons, you'd better hope Mom and Dad don't find out.'
Neva smiled grimly. 'They know about Duncan. They just don't know I'm up at the mansion.'
'Oh God--' Sav cut the rest of her words off as Duncan entered the room.
Neva met his gaze. His dark eyes were still shuttered, his face impassive. It was impossible to even guess what he was thinking right now. He stepped toward them, and suddenly the room didn't seem big enough. Nor did it contain enough air.
'Did you have to tell the nurse you were my mate?' she snapped, annoyed by both his presence here at the hospital and her continuing reaction to him. The moon wasn't even out at the moment, so why was she still feeling a buzz of excitement?
He raised an eyebrow. 'It's the truth, is it not?' His rich voice was neutral and gave no clue as to his thoughts. 'Only as far as this moon phase goes.' He shrugged. 'Why didn't you tell me about your sister?'
She wondered how he'd found out. Betise, perhaps? 'Would you have allowed me entry into the mansion if I had?'
'No.'
'Then that's your answer.'
He studied her for a moment, then switched his gaze his Savannah. ' Are you going to introduce us?'
She did. Savannah didn't offer him her hand, just turned her bandaged face in his direction. Imprinting his smell, Neva knew. Feeling his thoughts. She wondered if Sav would have more luck than she had.
No. Sav's mind voice sounded tired. But I like the smell of him.
So did Neva. His smell and his taste and his touch. She just didn't know if she liked the man. 'Why are you here, Sinclair?' Savannah asked, voice getting hoarser. 'The dance is tonight. You have no right to the days as well.'
'In this case, I do.'
Moons, Neva, you didn't agree to a bonding, did you? Afraid so. Seemed logical at the time.
And now?
I'm discovering I'm a little wilder in nature than I ever thought.
The warmth of Savannah's smile ran around her. That's something we all discover, sooner or later.
'Would you two mind keeping the conversation to conventional methods?' Duncan said. 'Because there are several things we need to discuss.'
'Like what?' Neva and Savannah said in unison. A small smile touched his sensual lips and just as quickly fled. 'Like why you believe the killer is one of the Sinclairs and not one of the dancers who join us.'
'Considering how little help you Sinclairs have been to our investigations,' Savannah bit back, 'do you really think it's surprising we suspect one of you?'
'On what evidence? The fact that it's a big silver wolf?' Duncan snorted softly. 'I can name half a dozen silvers in all the packs that match that description.'
'But those same wolves don't have the…shall we say zealous?…reputation that the Sinclair pack have when it comes to the dance.'
'In all the years the Sinclairs have run the moon dance, there's never been a death. Until now. It's not one of us.'
'And, of course, I can trust the word of a felon,' Savannah snapped.
He didn't react in any way. Not physically, nor emotionally. Maybe he'd been expecting such a reaction from Savannah, who was, after all, an officer of the law. 'If you won't trust the word of a felon, then it's not much use me offering what I know, is it?' He glanced at Neva, obsidian eyes slightly narrowed.
'You and I need to talk. I'll wait outside for you.'
He walked fr om the room. Savannah puffed out a breath. ' If that man looks half as sexy as he sounds, wow.' Wow seemed nowhere near adequate when it came to describing Duncan. He was a man with a wild past, a man with the face of an angel and a body designed to corrupt the virtuous. A man who could be both incredibly
