Vegas Shuffle (Vegas Series) by Mimi Barbour Page B

responsible for her taking her own life.
    Moments before the shooting, eyes shining with integrity, Aurora had convinced him to give up his revenge, that their love was all that mattered. Damn bit of good that did him. Instead she’d taken the shot that should have been his.
    While bizarre thoughts ricocheted inside his skull, he felt her eyes watching his every move. As he bent over the victim, the coppery smell of blood assailed his senses, turning his stomach. Adrenaline, spiked during the action, became a sour acid taste in his mouth. The cacti nearby called to him as a convenient place to relieve the sickness but instead he swallowed and breathed through his mouth. Death, never pretty, looked good on Rhondo. A weird kind of smile lifted one corner of the madman’s mouth as if he’d been happy in the moment he died.
    Kai hoped the devil wiped the fucking smile off his face as soon as the bastard arrived. Frustration burned a hole in his guts. He looked at Aurora and then turned away. The crazy woman still hadn’t moved. Her silent yearning cut through his hurt and into his heart, but he hardened himself from answering her unspoken plea, from going to her with his support. How could he support her actions? How could he still love a girl who’d betrayed him so deeply?
    Screaming his pain into her already traumatized features wouldn’t have helped him, and it sure as hell wouldn’t be good for her either. He’d stay away. No ranting or beating his hands against something hard so the rage had a release, not here, not now.
    He needed time.

Chapter Two
    Aurora stood facing Cory in his fancy office. She was going to have her say. “Tell me, Cory. Quit nipping away at the subject like a damn puppy chewing a squeeze toy. Where is Kai?”
    Cory looked furious. “Have respect, Detective. I’m the lieutenant here. You know—your boss.”
    “Yeah, yeah!”
    Cory shook his head and his anger faded before he answered. “You know that Kai sent in his statement completely exonerating you from any wrongdoing. He came through for you, Aurora.” Cory still shied away from answering her questions. She knew his evasive tactics.
    “Cory Ashton! If you don’t stop playing games with me, I’ll be up in front of the board again explaining why wounding you was also a righteous shoot. And trust me, after I tell them what an ass you are, no one will argue with my decision.”
    Mouth quirked in a stupid grin, Cory sighed and sat down heavily in his chair. Being that his size could destroy most ordinary office furniture, good thing the large black well-constructed leather seat offered no resistance.
    “They called him back to L.A.”
Aurora watched the sly look replace his grin. “They ordered him back?” she questioned. “You’re sure? Seems pretty opportune that they needed him the same day we got Rhondo.”
    “These things happen, Aurora. You know how our business works. He took a leave and they required him back at his desk. Poor guy didn’t have a choice.”
    “Poor guy, my ass. He never phoned or left me a message. Just up and disappeared. Only thing he said to me on the day I—” Still having trouble saying on the day she killed Rhondo, she hesitated, then added. “He said: I need time.”
    “He did! I’ve never seen the guy so messed up.”
    “Bastard didn’t think maybe I needed him?”
    “You had the rest of us. He had no one. You’re not really pissed at him, Rory. I know you. What he’s going through is normal. After all, he thinks you betrayed him.”
    “Stop calling me Rory, Lieutenant. I didn’t betray him. All I did was trust a friend.” The sigh that escaped rang in the silent room and gave voice to the frustration felt by both. Cory never said a word, but he looked cornered and slightly embarrassed.
    Aurora continued. “Fine. I’ll get on with my life and quit waiting for his call. I’d think two weeks should be enough time for him to decide if he wants there to be an ‘us’ or not.”