Pheromonal: One Night With the Alpha novel Chapter 25

Chapter 25: Flights of Fancy

"You’re banned from leaving your home."

Penelope’s announcement comes the moment I open my door. It’s not unexpected, so I let her in without comment.

"I thought you couldn’t find coverage tonight."

"I closed the bar. It’s not as important as my best friend’s life." Shoving a bulky black bag into my arms as she flounces into my apartment, she continues, "There’s something weird going on, and we need to figure out how to learn more about it. Right?"

"Right." Wary of her upbeat attitude, I follow her into the living room, watching as she falls into an armchair with a deep sigh, as if the weight of the world was pushing her down.

"Police determined it was a drunk driver. Nothing nefarious." Throwing the bag to the side, I settle onto the couch. Pulling my feet under me, I fight back a yawn. Worrying about everything and wondering about Logan kept me up all night. Now I’m zero answers closer to the truth, but more exhausted than ever.

"You told Scott you aren’t coming in today, right?"

"Messaged him before I went to see Logan." Grabbing one of my throw pillows—super cute, but made of an uncomfortable burlap material—I nuzzle my chin into it for a little rest. "I was intending to just come in a couple hours late, but..."

"Almost dying has that effect on people. I’m sure the rumor mill is exploding at work."

Thinking of how no one seemed to notice I was there yesterday, I shake my head. "I don’t think anyone knows I’ve even been gone. They probably thought I just took some PTO for a mental health break."

I’m not particularly close to anyone, so it isn’t like I’d be bombarded with questions any other time. Unless it’s for work, anyway.

That makes me wonder—if I did disappear, how long would it take someone to notice I was gone? When would someone come around to check on me or have questions? It’s an unsettling thought.

At least I can rely on Penelope.

"Well, McFlirty last night—"

"What’s with the sudden Mc-nicknames?"

"Never mind. McFlirty last night seems to have a little beef with your McSexy." Penelope leans forward, her aquamarine eyes glittering with the power of gossip. "Want to hear?"

"No." But I scoot a little closer.

"McSexy’s an outsider. Brought in out of nowhere. No one’s really sure how he got the job; no one can confirm where he last worked. People are pretty salty about him getting the only open sergeant position in the past couple years. A lot of people were gunning for that promotion."

"Let me guess—including your McFlirty?"

She nods.

"It isn’t unusual for a company to hire out." Resting my elbow against the arm of the couch, I yawn. "And he’s not obligated to tell anyone where he used to work. Maybe he just wants to have a clean start."

"But that’s the thing. Rumor is, he never had an interview. No hiring process. He just came in one day, straight from the top."

My brow quirks. That’s interesting. "But is any of that information confirmed, or just people spreading gossip?"

"I don’t know. I didn’t sleep with the guy. Just listened to him while he stared at my tits and drank too much vodka cranberry." She grimaces. "Of all drinks."

Not only is it a favorite among the college-aged, it’s a humorous nod toward the younger crowd of fangsters—newly turned vampires. You can always find them with a vodka cranberry in hand. Or a Bloody Mary, but I guess that one’s too on the nose to be hip these days.

Or something. I’m not super hip myself.

"Is he a vamp?"

"No. Human, as far as I can tell. Though—you know, he’s pretty pale. Anyway, it doesn’t matter." Flapping her hand in irritation, Penelope continues, "McSexy’s pretty popular in the department, but there’s a group of them out to get him. Hitting a doctor while on the job was the last straw, but they’re also accusing him of fraternizing with witnesses." She points one perfectly manicured, crimson French tip at me. "You."

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