“My anti-social friend at the bar is quite the expert. Not only did his older brother overdose, he has a cousin a few hours west of here who struggles with addiction. What’s being done to stop this?”
She exchanged glances with Jenna. “Not much. The police always investigate the cases, but like most places, they’re under-staffed.”
He leaned forward. “It seems as if you aren’t surprised by what I said. I take it overdoses happen a lot around here?”
“I couldn’t say. I haven’t lived in too many places,” Paris said. Two to be exact.
Jenna sipped her glass of wine. “It’s been happening more than we want to admit.”
“Where do you think the drugs are coming from?” he asked. “Are they made locally or imported from the United States?”
“I think Harrison Industries is making the stuff,” Jenna said.
“Jenna!” What was wrong with her friend?
“What? Maybe he and his friend can help. You said you can’t do it alone.”
Paris wanted to sink into her seat. “Ignore Jenna.”
“Excuse me,” Grayson said as he slipped out of the booth.
As soon as he was closer to the bar, Paris leaned forward. “What the hell are you doing? He could be hired by our company to scope out infidels.”
Jenna shook her head. “You said that. I know you think you’re this know-it-all halfling, but I can tell a good guy when I meet one. Didn’t you see the way he looked at you?”
“For starters, you were next to him. You couldn’t see his eyes flash golden or his teeth sharpen.”
Her friend grinned. “See? I knew it. He’s your mate.”
Paris tossed back her drink and then looked around. “Didn’t we order food? What’s taking them so long?”
“It’s been ten minutes. Relax. And don’t change the subject.”
“I have to, now that you might have undone all my hard work in the last two years by blabbing to some stranger about our suspicions.”
“Shh. Grayson’s coming back, and he brought a friend.”
“Do you mind, ladies?” Grayson said.
She did mind, but to tell him to get lost would raise suspicion.
Both women scooted over, and this time Grayson sat next to her.Shit. The moment their shoulders touched, her body lit up, which was totally unacceptable. Not only was he just passing through town, he was a werewolf. Going out on a few dates with one was fine, but anything more than that was out of the question.
“This sullen guy is Rider,” Grayson said, looking like he was working hard to contain his smile.
She held out her hand. “Paris.”
“I’m Jenna,” her friend added.
Before they could discuss much, their meals arrived. “Do you men want something?” the server asked.
Grayson looked over at Rider. From the way their eyes were moving, they were communicating telepathically. Being a female halfling, she couldn’t shift, and while Paris was okay with that, she wished her kind could do the telepathy thing. It sure would be handy.
Grayson looked up at the server and ordered.
“The same,” Rider said.
What was strange about this new guy was that he wouldn’t maintain eye contact with her. “Rider?”