Page 22 of Vanessa’s Bravery

“Did you have to kill him?” Patrick asked, inserting himself into the conversation.

“Yeah, I did.” Vanessa felt her jaw tightening. This had been her first kill, and while she knew it had been necessary, she still felt shaken by it. She’d ended a life.

“Couldn’t you just have wounded him and brought him in? Now we can’t interrogate him. How are we supposed to find out who’s behind this when you kill the best lead we had?”

Vanessa turned to Patrick, making a step toward him. “You weren’t there,” she ground out, narrowing her eyes. “The situation required that I kill him. It was the only way to save the human he was attacking. Next time you’re confronted with a rogue, maybe you can catch him alive. So, butt out. I’m not in the mood for your Monday-morning-quarterbacking.”

“What the—”

“Patrick, you heard her!” Ethan demanded.

“Chill, all of you. We’ve got work to do,” Benjamin said with a calm voice.

“What do you need?” Vanessa asked, turning back to Benjamin. “Do you want me to meet with Lydia to patrol? Then Quinn can do a different route.”

“No, let’s keep them patrolling together. I need somebody to get Scarlet. She offered to work on the suspect profile, and now that we have info on the guy you dusted, she’s got something to work with.”

“Why does somebody need to get her?” Ethan asked. “She’s got a car.”

Benjamin grimaced. “Guess you don’t know your brother that well. He ordered that Scarlet can’t go outside at night without protection while the rogues are roaming the city. Besides, somebody needs to babysit the twins. Both Ryder and Scarlet’s father are on patrol.” Benjamin grinned. “Which leaves you three. So, who wants to volunteer?”

“To babysit? You’re joking, bro,” Patrick protested with a shake of his head. “Count me out.” Then he pointed to her and Ethan. “They are your nephews. Have fun.” Patrick headed for the door.

Ethan smirked. “Hate to say it, sis, but I think it’s your turn. I babysat them last weekend.”

“That’s just what I need. Two rambunctious boys who don’t know the meaning of sleep.” Vanessa let out a sigh. Just thinking of it made her feel exhausted.

“They weren’t that bad last week,” Ethan claimed, putting his hand on her shoulder. “Besides, they love you.”

She rolled her eyes. “Fine. But I need a ride. My car crapped out a block from here.”

“Hallelujah, the rust bucket is dead,” Benjamin joked. “I hope you’ll buy yourself a decent car now.”

“And have it stolen the moment I park it in the Tenderloin?” Vanessa shook her head.

“Come on, sis, I’ll drop you at Scarlet’s and bring her back here,” Ethan offered.

“Thanks, both of you. Check in with me later,” Benjamin said and turned back to his desk.

In the Scanguards garage, Ethan led her to a red Lamborghini instead of his SUV. Vanessa furrowed her brows.

“You bought a Lamborghini?”

He grinned and unlocked the car. “Not yet. I’m test-driving it this week. Get in. Let’s take it for a spin.”

Moments later, they were shooting out of the garage, and Ethan merged into traffic, the engine roaring like a lion in the jungle.

Vanessa laughed. “You can’t be serious about buying this car. It’s not practical in San Francisco. You’re gonna lose your transmission when you hit a dip or a bump.”

Ethan chuckled. “But it’s a total babe magnet. Even you must admit that. Not everything needs to be practical.”

They hit a bump, and Vanessa nearly hit the ceiling. Laughing, she shook her head.

“I didn’t even feel that,” he claimed.

“Hopeless case.”

“So how are you feeling, sis, hmm?”