Cloaked by T.F. Walsh Read Free Book Online

breathing. So why had he pulled away? Surely it couldn’t be my cup of coffee.
    Vasile retreated and walked toward his office. I followed him, but turned right into the reception area, my insides a mess from the idea of losing my job and Connell rejecting me. Maybe living in the city wasn’t for me. If I couldn’t even hold down a job or keep one guy interested, what was I doing wrong?
    My gaze fastened on a massive floral arrangement in a basket on the reception desk. At least two dozen red and white roses were set off by palm-like green leaves.
    “They’re for you, Daciana,” Alexandria said. “Whoever sent them must be serious.”
    I closed in on the jaw-dropping bouquet too huge for me to lock my arms around and inhaled its floral fragrance. Amid the long stems, I spotted a white envelope and plucked it out. Was this Connell’s apology for the other night? My insides fluttered.
    Inside, it simply said, “Nothing compares to your beauty. Anton.”
    What?
My earlier excitement fizzled. The sleazy guy sent me flowers. Wonderful. Was the right etiquette to send them back with a polite note, or—
    The front door opened, breaking my concentration. Connell strolled in, all broad-shouldered, hair tucked behind his ears, and dressed in black pants and a tight, white shirt that molded to his body. Goddess, he was handsome … More than handsome. Swoon-worthy. And my knees wobbled at the sight.
    “Nice flowers,” he said, staring at the card in my hands.
    “Who are they from?” Alexandria asked, sniffing the roses from behind the reception desk.
    Connell being at my place a couple nights ago swirled through my mind. He’d rushed out of there without even a kiss. Of course, I probably shouldn’t be chasing a policeman who was only helping us with the cubs.
    Licking my lips, I said, “They’re from Anton. The inspector helping us on the case.” I hoped my voice when I said the sleazy guy’s name didn’t convey my loathing.
    My gaze cut to Connell. I spotted the way the bridge of his nose pinched. Was it jealousy? It was madness, but seeing him react to the roses confirmed he did have some feelings for me. Otherwise, why react, right? Sandulf would tell me not to encourage any humans. But even if Sandulf and the rest of the pack spoke of them as if they were aliens, I disagreed. And Connell was anything but foreign to me.
    He approached Alexandria. “I’m here to see Vasile.”
    “He’s waiting for you in his office. I’ll take you there.”
    The pair left, and Connell didn’t say another word or look my way.
Shit
. I sucked in a quick breath and stared down the corridor. Connell had vanished.
    Right, right then, I regretted not openly admitting I didn’t want the flowers from Anton. What was wrong with me? Now Connell would think I was into Anton, and he’d definitely keep his distance now. And I sure as hell didn’t care for Anton.
    Huffing, I wrapped my arms around the basket and carried it to my office. If everything was turning to shit, then I might as well do it while admiring gorgeous flowers.
    Half an hour later, Vasile stepped into my office. “Daciana, another bear cub was taken, this time from the local zoo. It was the injured one we found in the woods a few weeks ago.”
    Ghostly fingertips traced down my spine, and goose bumps coated my arms. Another cub kidnapped?
    Vasile rubbed his mouth. “I’ve told Connell you’ll go with him to the zoo. Maybe you can pick up on that scent you mentioned from the night the cubs were stolen? No one else seems to be able to detect the leathery odors you did. Connell said you seemed to have a keen sense of smell. Plus, with your animal knowledge, you might notice something else the rest of us have missed.”
    So, Connell asked to work with me, huh? Wonder what that meant. Immediately on my feet, I seized my handbag. “Of course.”
    “Let me know if you find a clue,” Vasile said. “The inspector is waiting for you outside in the parking lot.”
    I