my courage and hit his contact on my phone.
When he hadn't picked up by the fourth ring, I almost hung up. He was a busy man, after all. I completely understood that he didn't have time to drop everything just because I called. He was probably on the evening shift at the police department.
"Sheriff Walker," Drew barked into the phone, apparently not bothering to look to see who was calling. That was okay with me. I could play along.
I dropped my voice, attempting a sultry sound. "Should I start calling you that from now on?"
"Ava." His voice softened, and I heard a muffled curse followed by a thump or maybe a door shutting. "Sorry, I was distracted with closing this case."
"Don't be sorry." I would have video chatted with him, but my hair was a mess from all the packing, and I needed to shower.
Movement at the door caught my attention. I’d shut that door before calling Drew. With a sigh, I glanced up and frowned. Clay stood in the opened door and pointed to the floor. "Salt? Really, Ava?"
I waved a hand and magically shut the bedroom door. I hadn’t been sure salt would keep the ghost out, but it was good to know it did. The last thing I needed was my husband listening to my conversation with my boyfriend. It was rude and weird. Just calling Drew, knowing Clay was… well, not alive. But here. It felt disloyal to both men.
"Everything okay there?" Drew asked.
Turning away from the door, I looked out my window at the moon. "Yeah. We’re making good progress with packing things up. Hailey, the new owner, is keeping a lot of the furniture, so that's less to move." I paused, thinking of how I could word the question I wanted to ask him.
I heard the smile in his voice. "Does that mean you'll be coming home sooner than planned?"
The hope also in his tone made my heart bloom. He missed me. Aw, I hated to burst his bubble of hope. "I don't think so. Something has come up. That's why I called you. Besides, I miss hearing your voice." Among other things. A hug would’ve been nice, too.
Then I felt disloyal to Clay. Sigh.
Drew’s voice went on alert. "What's wrong?"
"We’re pretty sure we have vampires living across the street.”
“Why would you think that?”
“I saw a lady walking around with a bite mark on her neck. And the other night they were sunbathing… at night.” And the ghost of my dead husband thought they were vampires, too. I wasn't adding in that part. “I was hoping you knew a little more about them before I go over there and introduce myself."
"You will not go over there." Drew spoke with an alpha male tone that melted my insides.
While it was true, I found it hot that he was so protective, I didn't like to be told what to do. I’d do what I darn well pleased. "I have a tiger shifter and a witch-necromancer hybrid at my back. We'll be fine."
Drew was silent for a few seconds, then in a lower tone said, "I don't know much about vampires. I assumed they were extinct or something because nobody I knew had ever dealt with them. Back when I hunted, I never ran into them or even a rumor of them. As far as I knew, they’d gone extinct or never existed at all. But it could also be that they’re exceptionally good at staying to themselves. However, that doesn't make them any less dangerous."
Did he think I was going to go over there and open a vein for them? "I didn't say they weren't dangerous." I rolled off the bed, making a few groaning sounds as I got to my feet.
Drew laughed. "What are you doing?"
Might as well be truthful. He should know the real me. “Getting off the bed. It's not as easy as it once was."
He chuckled, and then the laugh turned a little dark. "Do I need to ask why you were on the bed?"
I rolled my eyes. "Talking to you, of course." I knew what he was implying, but Clay was one line of salt away from me right now.
"Of course," he replied with a chuckle.
I shuddered and sighed. Gods, I missed him. More guilt. "Anything I need to know before I do the neighborly thing?"
"Ava." His voice said he meant business.
A jolt of pleasure shot through me. "Say that again."
He moaned with a bit of growl in it. "You're killing