The Lady is a Vamp (The Paranormal Investigations Series Book 1) Read Online Free Page A

safe,’ Nick said, oblivious to her thoughts. Ruby shook her head.
    ‘You may be honourable but can you say the same for your superiors? Look, I can help you. I want to find Simon’s killer as much as you do – a killer vampire in the news risks exposure for us all, and I have a nice, quiet life, Detective and I want it kept that way. Let me help you.’
    ‘And in return for your help?’
    ‘You don’t expose me. I’ve committed no crime. I never take blood from an unwilling human, or use my mental abilities for harm. I pose no threat to you or anyone else.’
    ‘I’ll be the judge of that,’ he snapped, but he seemed to be considering her offer. Finally, he nodded.
    ‘Okay. We’ll go somewhere more private, and you can tell me what you know. But you attempt to flee and I’ll call the whole preternatural team out to hunt your ass. Understand?’
    Ruby nodded, and followed him downstairs. As they walked out of the club he slipped her arm through his as if they were merely going for a stroll, but of course all eyes followed them with undisguised interest, wondering what the cop wanted with the Contessa.
    Neither of them mentioned the kiss.

Chapter Three
    Nick didn’t speak as he guided her outside and into his very un-cop like red sports car.
    ‘Nice,’ Ruby murmured, ‘it matches my hair and dress.’ She flashed a flirtatious smile at him as she slid her legs slowly into the car, but although his eyes lingered on her exposed thighs as he shut the door on her his face remained impassive. Ruby sighed. Even without her mental powers, she was used to men being putty in her hands. This man’s desire for her was evident, yet so was his refusal to be swayed by it. Ruby had never felt less in control of a situation, and she knew her own powerful attraction to him wasn’t helping one bit. She risked a glance at him as he got into the car and started the engine, but his gaze remained resolutely fixed ahead. He had an impressive profile, she thought, with that chiselled jaw and straight nose, offset by long lashes and those full, kissable lips. A perfect mixture of manliness and sensuality. His strong shoulders and the bulges of his muscles were evident under his shirt, and Ruby shifted in her seat, heat travelling through her body as she remembered the feel of those strong arms around her just moments before.
    ‘Where are you taking me?’
    ‘To my apartment.’
    ‘Is that wise? Aren’t you scared that I might be lying about my ability to bespell you, and that I might try and drink your blood as soon as we’re alone?’ she teased, although she was partly serious. His complete lack of fear of her was both unnerving and strangely stimulating.
    ‘Hardly,’ he retorted, never taking his eyes from the road, ‘if that’s your intention, then now that you know I’ve discovered you, you can do it regardless of where I take you. If you could bespell me, you would have done it already. Everyone saw us leave, and there are security cameras around my apartment that will see you enter. You’ll be caught. The way I see it, you’re the prime suspect for Simon’s murder. If you want to prove your innocence, I’m the only help you have.’
    Ruby nodded, impressed by his logic. ‘You believe me then, that I didn’t do it?’ she asked. Nick didn’t answer, but admitted to himself that yes, he was pretty sure she hadn’t done it. Instinct told him she was being truthful, and like any good cop his instincts were sharp as a tack. Even so, he knew he was taking a risk; by rights he should be turning her in, even though he knew she was right, the authorities would never let her go.  What did it matter to him what happened to some damn vampire?
    Not that he had any problem with vamps per se, just cold blooded killers who ruined lives. The one vamp serial killer case Nick had been involved in had been enough to show him that evil bastards were evil bastards, human or otherwise, but that being immortal and often