Free Blood of Dawn by Tami Dane Page A

her at the party and left with a boy. But maybe someone else saw Barnett.”
    “It’s something.”
    “It isn’t much. I don’t even know who was at the party, where it was, nothing.”
    “The fact that you somehow managed to find a friend of Barnett’s already tells me you won’t have any problems getting more information.”
    “That was dumb luck.”
    “We’ll see about that. Nothing about you is dumb, Sloan.”
    “And we’ll see about that.” The parking lot was clear now. I drove to the exit and steered out into traffic. I was headed toward the freeway, but I didn’t know which way to go once I got there. “What should I do now? Go back to the unit?”
    “No, there isn’t anything you can do there now. Might as well call it a day. I’ll call you as soon as I know more about the dead girl.”
    “Okay. I’ll talk to you later, then.”
    “Good-bye, Sloan.”
    “Bye. Um, JT?”
    “Yeah?”
    “Are you okay?”
    “Yeah. I’m fine.” There was a heaviness to his voice. I couldn’t miss it.
    “If you need to talk, I’m here.”
    “Thanks.”
    “You’re welcome.” When he didn’t say anything else, I added, “I’ll talk to you later.”
    “Yep. Bye.”
    I clicked off and called Katie. No answer. I dropped my phone onto the passenger seat and pointed my car toward my “home away from home.”
     
     
    When I rolled into my folks’ driveway, I noticed a certain car was parked front and center. It would seem I had company. Again.
    He was early. It wasn’t even close to dinnertime.
    “Hello, gorgeous.” Damen took a slow, winding visual perusal of my person before lifting his gaze to my face. “That is some outfit you’re wearing.”
    “Yeah.” Feeling very uncomfortable, I hugged myself as I clomped up to the door. “It’s for work.”
    His brows rose. He shouldered the door frame as I knocked. I’d forgotten to ask Mom for a house key again.
    “I guess I shouldn’t ask?”
    “Probably not. But, based on your expression, I feel it’s pretty safe to say it isn’t what you’re thinking.”
    Sergio opened the door for us, gave me a little nod, then disappeared to take care of some other pressing matter.
    Damen cornered me in the foyer. “It’s going to take some getting used to, knowing you’re out there, risking your life—”
    “I’m an intern,” I pointed out. “Interns generally don’t risk their life . . . unless you consider going out for coffee or lunch a death-defying act.” I decided it wasn’t a good idea telling him the truth. Not yet.
    His chuckle was warm and his eyes sparkled, and I liked those sparkles very much. “Fair enough. I’ll worry no more.” He grabbed me at the waist and pulled me closer. “May I?” he asked, tipping his head.
    “You may.”
    I swear, my feet left the floor when he kissed me. My head was spinning when the kiss ended, and I opened my eyes to find I’d smashed my body against his and was holding on for dear life.
    “W-wow,” I stammered.
    “I agree. Maybe we should do that again.” He kissed me once more, and it was all I could do to resist begging him to take me right there, on the foyer’s cold marble floor.
    Sadly, a soft cough cut that one short. Then again, that was probably for the better.
    Still plastered to his front, I turned to give the interrupting party a half smile. In my mind’s eye, I imagined I was looking completely stumble-to-your-ass drunk.
    Mom’s brows lifted so high, her forehead looked like the skin of a shar-pei. “Sorry to interrupt, but, Sloan, your father needs to speak with you.”
    Odd. “Sure.” I gave Damen an apologetic grin and stumbled away, heading toward my father’s home office. The door was open, and he was sitting in front of his computer.
    “Sloan, have a seat.”
    I pulled up the big armchair angled in the small room’s corner so I was looking across the desk at my father. “Is something wrong?”
    “No. Not at all. But after your reaction to the last time, I thought