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nodded. “In that how-to-be-a-by-the-book-detective handbook of yours.”
    “Me? A by-the-book guy?” His brows shot up. “I believe you have me confused with someone else. Maybe Tobias Caine?”
    “When it comes to the rules, sure, you don’t always follow ’em. But when it comes to bad guys, you’re pretty much black and white on who’s bad and who’s not.” Keeping her hands in her back pockets, she wiggled her elbows back and forth and sent him a look that was as dry as autumn leaves. “And, believe me, no one could confuse you for Tobias.”
    He wasn’t sure whether he should be insulted or not. “And why would that be?”
    She grinned. Her expression softened with sensuality. “While you’re both tall, dark, and handsome,” she nearly purred as she stroked one slender finger down the middle of his chest, “Tobias has a bigger bite behind his bark.”
    “Can’t argue with that.” Dante eased back a step, putting himself out of her reach. Even that light, teasing touch fired his blood. He came into contact with his fair share of shapeshifters on the job, and one thing he’d noticed was that they all seemed to possess this earthy carnality that was impossible to ignore. Tori called to him on such a primal level it was all he could do to keep his distance. But she deserved respect from him even if all he wanted to do was take her with the raw fury of an animal.
    He, at least, didn’t go furry once a month. He was human. He had to remain true to himself, or what would he be left with?
    He heard a couple of car doors slam and turned to see one of the crime scene vans parked nearby. “CSSU’s here.”
    “’Bout time,” Tori muttered, sounding a little cranky. Even so, her voice still held those dulcet tones that made everything male within him sit up and take notice.
    Dante started toward the van, glancing around the gathered crowd out of habit. One man in particular caught his eye and Dante stopped, trying to get a better look.
    Tori plowed into him, giving a little grunt of surprise, and he turned to grab her. He wrapped his fingers around her upper arms to steady her, and the feel of the firm muscles beneath his fingers—her strength wrapped in softness—scattered his thoughts.
    “You need to give a gal some warning.” She looked up at him, her gaze grass green in the sunlight. Her lips parted and those incredible eyes fixed on his mouth.
    Before he could stop himself, Dante found his hand curled around her jaw, his thumb stroking over that provocative bottom lip. “Sorry,” he rasped through a throat tight with desire. His chest constricted, his blood fired as need pulsed through him with every beat of his heart. “I thought I saw…” He dropped his hand and looked toward the crowd again. The man he’d thought he’d seen—Natchook, Tobias Caine’s nemesis and the son of a bitch who was the reason his friend Nix was now a vampire—was gone.
    “Thought you saw…” Tori prompted, her voice as husky as his had been.
    “The bastard who attacked Nix and did his best to kill me and Tobias while he was at it.”
    She glanced around the scene. “Do you think he’d still be hanging around Scottsdale after what happened to Nix?”
    Dante clenched his jaw. “Who knows? He’s a crazy son of a bitch.”
    Again those luscious lips tightened before she murmured, “You’re probably right, but still, I’d hardly think he’d take the chance of getting caught by staying in town.”
    Dante hooked his thumbs over his belt and rocked back on his heels. “Well, I know I’ll feel a lot safer once he’s behind bars.”
    “But he won’t be behind bars, will he?” As she stared up at him, her eyes darkened. “Preternatural law is clear and concise on this matter. He drained Nix, knowing Tobias would turn her in order to save her. In doing so, the attacker has forfeited his life.”
    “Even though Tobias was the one who actually made Nix a vampire?” Dante almost added something along the