Page 53 of Scout’s Honor

She read the rest of the list.

‘Snakeskin, bear, bird on fire, red eyes.’

“What’s this?” she asked.

He wrote two more things: ‘Bonhi, Dakota.’ He pointed at the list. “I saw these images whirling in the lights at Mama Soline’s. They seemed to mean something about the key we have to find.”

“An actual key?”

He shook his head. “I don’t know. I only know the vampires are looking for something, and ‘The Cause’ has to find it first, or we’re toast.”

Bonhi stared at Dallas and looked at the list. “I have a case ongoing right now that involves a cabin in the woods,” she said. “I can’t tell you about it because of confidentiality, but… what if it’s related?”

Dallas stared at her and she couldn’t read the look in his eyes.

“Have you ever heard of fated mates?” he asked, his voice low and gritty.

Her breath caught in her throat. “I mean, sure, in fairy tales.”

He touched her cheek and drew his hand to her chin, making her shiver. “It’s real,” he said. “Aven and Dakota are fated—a shifter and a switch paired up by destiny.”

Bonhi touched his hand. “Meaning what? That we’re meant to be together?”

Dallas shrugged and kissed her softly. “I could believe it.”

“But do you want it?” Bonhi asked, her throat thick with emotion.

Dallas caressed her cheek and stared into her eyes, saying, “I do.”

Bonhi smiled softly as tingles danced across her scalp and body at Dallas’ admission. Did she want it, too? She wanted Dallas, she knew that…. but… forever? She inclined her head and Dallas leaned in for a kiss—

A red rose wrapped in paper skimmed Bonhi’s hair and she pulled back. A skinny 11- or 12-year-old kid with short blond hair stood there, his clothes and face dirty, his hair stuck up every which way. He held a dozen roses in one arm and waved one rose at Dallas with the other.

“Buy a rose and you get lucky tonight,” the kid said.

Bonhi hid a laugh. Dallas leaned back in his chair and appraised the kid.

“You and me need to have a talk, man to man, about how to be respectful to women,” he told the kid, who just grinned and waved the rose.

Dallas stood, saying, “Excuse me, please,” to Bonhi. She nodded and smiled at him.

He walked to a quiet corner of the garden, waving that the kid should follow. Bonhi watched them, her smile growing bigger as Dallas put his hand on the kids shoulder and crouched to talk to him eye to eye. The kid nodded, maybe listening, maybe not, but when Dallas pulled out his wallet and handed over a bill, a smile broke on the kid’s face. He handed over every single rose and disappeared into the garden.

Dallas came back, thirteen roses in his hands. He laid them on the table, saying, “I think he learned his lesson.”

Bonhi laughed and picked up a rose, her eyes on this man.

He was too good to be true.

27—Forever?

Dallas gazed at the perfect woman, wondering how he got so lucky to have her looking at him like she was. They hadn’t touched dessert and instead were slow dancing on the outdoor dance floor, surrounded by torches and sultry music, staring into each other’s eyes. His leg ached some, but he ignored it.

Bonhi’s expression turned contemplative. “What if Jameson is right?” she said. “What if the magical house really did disappear because I don't belong there?”

Dallas shook his head. “I think the house disappeared because we didn't bring Aila home.”

Realization dawned in his mind. “I have to call Aven,” he said, motioning her back to their table. They walked hand in hand, Dallas pulling out his phone and dialing.