Pheromonal: One Night With the Alpha novel Chapter 70

Chapter 70: "I Don’t Like Him."

"I don’t like him."

Penelope storms into my apartment later that night, apparently having spent the last few hours stewing over Marcus Ashby.

Jabbing a fork full of stir-fried vegetables into my mouth, I just raise my eyebrows at her in an invitation to expand upon her pronouncement.

"Marcus Ashby," she clarifies, like I didn’t already figure that out. "That sleazy bastard of a lawyer."

Chewing methodically, I think of the man. He doesn’t strike me as sleazy. Maybe a little too good at his job, but sleazy, to me, is portly old men with gelled back hair and charm at the level of creep.

"Why was he interrogating you like you’re the suspect? Isn’t he Logan’s defense lawyer?"

I swallow the mouthful of stir-fry and shrug. "Marcus is just doing his job. He needs all the information he can get to defend Logan properly."

Penelope’s nose wrinkles as she sniffs the air. "There’s a good way and a bad way to treat people on your side. That wasn’t it."

Her gaze drifts to my plate, eyes narrowing. "Is that even edible?"

"It is." I push the plate toward her. "Try it."

She spears a piece of broccoli, examining it before popping it in her mouth. Her eyebrows lift. "Not bad."

"I’m working on cooking more often."

Penelope’s anger at Marcus seems to fizzle out. She slumps into the chair across from me. "How’s work going?"

I shrug, pushing a piece of carrot around my plate.

"Are you going to stay with the company?"

Another shrug. "I don’t really know what to do. Feels like I’m in limbo until everything dies down."

"Has that panther guy come by again?"

I shake my head, stabbing at a mushroom.

"It’s weird," Penelope mutters. "Everything’s gotten so quiet after all those strange things happening one after another. I’m on edge."

"Mhm." I take another bite, chewing slowly.

Penelope leans forward, her eyes searching my face. "How can you be so calm about it?"

The fork clatters against the plate as I set it down. Calm? Is that what I am? I look at my hands, steady as they rest on the table. No tremors. No cold sweat. Just... stillness.

"I’m not calm," I say, surprising myself with how level my voice sounds. "I’m just waiting. We’re going to win Logan’s case, and then I want to find the real killer. I want my life back on track. And I want to feel safe again."

Penelope snatches my fork, helping herself to another bite of my stir-fry. Her eyes watch me with an intensity that makes me wary.

"I think the panther did it."

I give her an odd look. "Did what?"

"Killed Scott." She waves the fork for emphasis, a piece of broccoli dangling precariously. "I think the panther killed Scott."

"Why do you think that?"

Penelope leans forward. "Think about it. We already know he can sneak in while you’re asleep. And he claimed to kill Officer Nancy to protect you."

"He didn’t exactly say that," I counter. "He just said I didn’t know what Officer Nancy had planned for me."

Penelope waves off my objection, nearly flinging the broccoli across the room. "Details, details. I’ve been thinking about this for a while, Nikki. I’m positive it’s the panther who killed him."

I reach out and reclaim my fork.

"I’ve thought the same thing," I admit, stabbing at a piece of carrot. "But I’m not going to jump to conclusions. Things are too strange right now. We need more evidence."

Penelope cups her chin in her hand. "Fair enough. Have you found any information on that Catalyst thing he mentioned?"

"Nothing. Didn’t really expect it to be blasted across the internet, though."

As I chew, Penelope’s gaze sharpens, her tone shifting to something more serious. "Nicole, when are you going to talk to me about your magic?"

Penelope’s eyes narrow. "Don’t play dumb with me. I’ve known you for years, Nicole. And the word Catalyst practically screams magic."

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