in my hands. “What happened to Josie? Did she stay with that man?”
The color drained from Claude’s face. “Josie was found in the river.”
Thunderstruck, I stared at his hat, unsure of what to say. What can you say to a blow like that?
He touched the handle of his mug but didn’t drink. “I found out on a Monday morning while eating a bagel in a café. I turned the page of the newspaper, and there it was. I still remember the sound of two males laughing, the bell jingling when a female walked in, the jasmine smell of her perfume as she passed my table. Everything in that moment crystallized. My kindred spirit was dead. They said it was suicide, but I didn’t believe it. Someone murdered her.”
“I’m really sorry.”
All four of Claude’s canines elongated, but he kept talking as if he wasn’t aware. “First I went after her mate to get answers. I smelled lies, went primal, and I killed him. Then I went to question her former acquaintances who were living it up in the Bricks. I smelled lies and killed some of them. I went on a killing spree, and I couldn’t stop. I never got answers. I never got the truth.”
“How are you still alive?” I shook my head. “Killing a higher authority member is a death sentence.”
“True, but I wager they didn’t want him there anymore and were glad he was gone. He was a corrupt man, something Josie didn’t know when she mated him.” Claude stood up, grabbed his bag, and then lingered by the door. “Sometimes you don’t get answers, and that’s the worst kind of torture there is. To never know how or why your loved one died. To never know what their last words were. And though I probably killed her murderer, I don’t know for certain, and I never will. At least they found her body.”
I stood up and joined his side. I wanted to say she didn’t deserve a guy like Claude, but he would have been offended. His kindred wanted to change the world and thought marrying strategically would help their cause. She was willing to sacrifice her own happiness for a greater good. It was what brave people did. “I’m glad you’re here now.”
“Viktor rescued me from cage fights, you know. That’s where I ended up. I had so much rage. I get why some of these women might do it. They’ve been held back in life, and they’re trying to get what they deserve—money and power. They’re easy targets. That’s why I took this job. Viktor turned my life around and gave me a chance to help people and not hurt them.”
I handed him his hat. “I know what you mean. You didn’t have to tell me all that, but I appreciate it. I won’t tell anyone else.”
He took the hat. “It’s not a secret. I’m sure most of my deeds are well documented in the higher authority’s files. Viktor fought hard for me, and so I’ll fight hard for him. Even if it means wearing gold panties.”
I rocked on my heels. “If it’s any consolation, you’re the hottest guy in the club, even fully dressed.”
He leaned down and touched his forehead to mine. “Take care of yourself, female. I worry about you.”
“I worry about me too.”
Chapter 15
“Pitcher for table nine,” Simone called out.
Filling pitchers had become my job, and I knew it was because those customers were cheap tippers. But I didn’t complain. It gave me a chance to talk to Claude and share information.
“How are the tips, Mistress White?”
I gave Claude a cross look. “Don’t call me that. Not unless you have a twenty in your hand.”
He licked the tip of his finger and touched my arm before making a sizzling sound. “You’re the cat’s meow tonight.”
The club was abuzz with rumors of the previous night’s brawl. Those who had witnessed it firsthand discovered that I wasn’t all talk and no action, and that titillated customers. When people began fighting to get in line, I sent them to the other bartenders to even out the work. How the hell had I wound up being so damn good at something I hated? If my father saw what I was doing now, he’d probably lock me in my old bedroom for the rest of my life.
Claude collected the tray and strutted off to the beat of the music. He had a fifty tucked in the back of his shorts and didn’t seem to know it, even