They offered to come along, but I needed to speak with Raoul alone. Too chicken to ask Shaz for a ride to my car, I called a taxi from my cell phone once I was outside. I was glad to see my shiny red ride waiting for me at Lucy’s, untouched.
Raoul’s house was dark except for one light that glowed faintly from deep within. The driveway was empty of cars so I took that to mean his Jaguar was in the garage. He couldn’t put me off with an illusion that nobody was home.
I was careful to park a few doors down and scour the area. When I rang the doorbell, I called out that it was me. Inside, I heard nothing but silence. I sensed someone on the other side of the door just before it cracked open.
“Hurry up and get in here,” he growled, stepping back just enough to allow me inside.
“Well, aren’t you a grumpy old wolf?” I thought he’d appreciate that.
“I’m not old. What do you want?”
“That’s no way to talk to someone who just fetched your ass from jail. And, may be stuck doing so again.” I stepped inside and kicked my runners off. He locked the door behind me and frowned at my baggy sweatpants.
“Again?”
“Don’t pretend you don’t know. Why else would you be hiding here under lock and key?”
“All I know is that Richard Price has been asking around about me. He thinks I murdered his wife.”
I couldn’t help but frown. He didn’t sound all that broken up about it, but his dark eyes were red rimmed. He looked tired when he added, “Yeah, I heard about Sheridan if that’s why you’re here. I’m surprised the cops haven’t come for me already.”
“Why would they?” I asked.
This is it, I thought. If he admits his involvement, I’m washing my hands of this.
Then, a memory hit me. During my first year as a werewolf, another wolf, older and stronger than I was, wanted me for his own. I had made it clear to him that I wasn’t interested in being his pack run playmate, and he’d attempted to take me by force.
Raoul had stopped him, beat him until I thought he was surely dead. That wolf had never risked so much as a glance in my direction again. He left town soon after.
Perhaps, Raoul knew how to drive me absolutely insane. Perhaps, he knew how to piss me off royally. Still, he was pack, and as much as I hated it, I owed him one.
I was suddenly embarrassed. Arys had seen that memory.
“Don’t they always blame the ex-husband or ex-lover?” He asked and startled me out of my thoughts.
“That’s because it always is the ex.” I met his eyes evenly. I had to.
“Do you think I killed her?”
The silence that settled between us was heavy and uncomfortable. But, in that moment, looking into his hard and unflinching gaze, I knew he was innocent. I couldn’t scent even a hint of a lie on him.
I replied honestly, “No. I don’t.” He swallowed hard then, as if he’d expected to hear otherwise. “But because I don’t, I need you to answer a question. Why would another one of your lovers turn up dead?”
Raoul paled considerably and took an involuntary step back. I could hear his quick intake of breath. “Is this an accusation? How the hell would I know?” His voice began to rise.
“Because if you didn’t do it, then someone is setting you up.”
I’ve never seen the poor guy look so distraught. I followed him into the kitchen, a chef’s dream, where he poured himself a scotch on the rocks. When he offered, I declined. My stomach was starting to feel fluttery again.
“Julie was a great woman and fantastic in the sack,” he said before draining his glass in one swallow. “But, I didn’t love her. And, there’s no piece of ass so good that it’s worth a murder charge. I haven’t even seen her in six months or more. Even longer with Sheridan.”
“Do you have any idea why someone would want to frame you for either murder?”
He refilled his glass and seemed to stare off in thought. “No. I can’t think of anyone.”
I didn’t like the way his negative energy stung my skin. It was similar to the irritation of a mosquito bite. My own personal power instinctively grew as if to shield the unwanted assault. “So, there is absolutely no way that you are involved.”
“I told you that I was here the night Julie died. With Belle.”
I chose not to address his words directly. “And last night?”
“In the city. At a business function.”
“Alright then, Raoul. But, the question remains, who hates you enough to dedicate their existence to destroying yours?”
When he finished his third scotch and reached to pour another, I laid a gentle but firm hand on his. I pulled it away from the bottle. I saw something then in the ebony eyes of my former Alpha that I’d never seen before. Fear.
“Alexa, promise you’ll help me if I tell you this.” He gripped my upper arms in desperation. He surprised me, and I barely suppressed the urge to fight.
“I’m helping you by being here. Now, get off me.” I shrugged out of his hands. “So, spit it out.”