What in the hell had he been doing in that alley? True, he could have been looking for the men who were attacking women like he said. It wasn’t uncommon for people to take matters into their own hands when it came to crime in the city. Of course, it was uncommon for people to run around hunting down vampires.
What was the connection? Was there one? As far as I knew he didn’t know either of the deceased victims. Had he been watching me? Hoping to scope out vampires? I quickly ended that notion. I’d traveled to Disco’s home already. If Bane wanted a piece of the Master of New York he knew where to get it. Perhaps he’d stalked out my place of employment because of the person I reminded him of? Maybe he decided to swing by to check things out after I got off work? Most of the clubs shut down after 2:00am. There was also a good chance it was blind luck.
Then again, maybe it was something else.
I’m something worse. What kind of something worse? Was he the man he appeared to be? A simple gun dealer and part-time vigilante? Or was he something more?
Shape shifter.
He moved with a grace that was fluid, and he killed the men in the alley without hesitation. Just like the werewolves in the future would have. When it came to the pack, or protecting their territory, there were no limits. Life, death, none of it mattered. They lived and breathed for each other. If more shifters lived in the city, Bane was probably the alpha, which meant he had to keep peace on the streets.
The thoughts of Bane were obliterated when I exited the station and saw Hector’s waxed and shiny Mercedes waiting out front. The black paint was as pristine as the day he drove it off the lot, the chrome rimmed tires gleaming. He opened the driver’s side door and climbed out as I came down the stairs. I tried to mask my shock. I couldn’t believe he’d come to the police station. Maybe they’d brought him in for questioning, too.
“I’ve been waiting for you. They said it wouldn’t be much longer. I figured you might want a ride home.”
“A ride home would be nice.” I tried to smile, to show some level of bravado as I approached his vehicle, but it was piss poor. Although I was healing fast, I was tired and achy.
“Hop in.”
He slid into his seat and closed the door as I did the same. The leather smelled brand new, and there was no trace of cigar smoke. Hector might light up a spiff at work, but not in his baby. We bucked our seatbelts and settled in. Something nudged my feet and I glanced down. The large UPS box was there, as well as my duffel and coat.
“I saw you stuff them under the counter. I didn’t want you to have to make a trip to the club.”
“Thanks.” I brought the box into my lap first, tossed the duffel on top, and retrieved the amulet from my jacket. I hesitated for a second before I put it on. Jesus, it was like a drug, calming me the instant I put the leather around my neck and the stone settled against my shirt.
“You want me to take you to your apartment?”
I closed my eyes and rested my head on the cushioned seat. “Sounds like a plan.”
Hector started the car, pulled onto the street, and we drove in silence for several minutes. I didn’t mind. I was exhausted. Knowing I had to return to Disco, explain what had happened, and go through another round of questioning didn’t help.
I was just thinking about the many things Disco might say when Hector interrupted the quiet. “I’ve made a decision about the club. I’ve already told Deena.” I peered at him from the corner of my eye and he was clenching his fists on the steering wheel, unhappy about something.
“What have you decided?”
“I’m hiring new bartenders. Keeping the dancers safe is hard enough without worrying about you and Deena. Having a couple of extra men in the club will tone things down and ramp up safety.”
“You what?” I said, faulting my ears. I had to have heard wrong. It wasn’t possible.
His curt, “You heard me,” proved me wrong. I hadn’t heard him wrong. He did just say he was hiring new bartenders.
Hell no.