Page 156 of Dancing for the Minotaur

“Yes. Yes, they are,” Terra agreed distractedly. Her mind was racing—how could she work this to Taurex’s advantage?

The detective studied her as she thought. Then she said,

“So if Mr. Taurex happened to be involved with you in more than a professional capacity and then Viktor Orlov messed with your kids…”

“He’s my mate.”

The words came out so fast that Terra almost tripped over them.

Detective Ramirez looked at her with raised eyebrows, but Terra kept going.

“I mean, we’re fated mates. That’s a Monstrum thing,” she added.

“Fated mates, you say?” the detective asked.

Terra nodded emphatically.

“Yes. It means we’re meant to be together.”

The lie should have felt strange. Instead, it felt right—it felt true, Terra thought.

“And how do you know that the two of you are meant to be together?” Detective Ramirez asked.

“The very first time we touched, there was this mental connection,” Terra explained, truthfully. “Kind of a psychic flash, if that makes any sense. And then we just knew.”

Detective Ramirez narrowed her eyes thoughtfully.

“Well, that’s a pretty story, but as far as I can find out, you and Mr. Taurex haven’t been spending much time together recently. It seems to me that ‘fated mates’ would want to be all over each other all the time.”

“We haven’t been together because Taurex had to go on a mission for the Monstrum Mother Ship,” Terra said quickly. “And after he rescued my children, he didn’t want me mixed up in what happened with Orlov. So I’ve been keeping my distance.”

It was another half-truth—another statement that somehow felt more honest than dishonest. After all, Taurex had told her she was his mate. And he had protected her children as though they were his own.

The more Terra said the words, the more another truth rose inside her. She wanted him back. Not because he saved Cody and Lisa. Not because he had money. Not because she owed him anything.

She wanted Taurex because she missed him every single day. And there was no way in hell she was going to let him spend the rest of his life in a human prison because he killed Viktor fucking Orlov!

Detective Ramirez leaned forward and looked her in the eyes.

“Terra, I need you to be very clear. Are you saying that Taurex is your recognized mate and that he was acting to protect your children when he killed Orlov and the other men?”

Terra lifted her chin.

“Yes. Because he’s my fated mate and my fiancé. We’re even planning our wedding!” she heard herself say.

Wait…what? Where had that come from? But it was too late to pull the lie back now. Detective Ramirez looked interested.

“Oh, I didn’t know that. Mr. Taurex didn’t say anything about it,” she remarked. “In fact, he tried to tell us you had nothing to do with him anymore.”

“He was just trying to keep me from getting mixed up in all this!” Terra exclaimed. “But we’ve already chosen the venue—we’re going to get married aboard the Monstrum Mother Ship. My son is going to be the ring bearer, and my daughter is going to be the flower girl.”

As she spoke, she could almost see Cody and Lisa dressed up and walking down the aisle. It was a lovely vision—she just hoped she could sell the detective on it.

“Well, well…” Detective Ramirez nodded thoughtfully. “That puts this whole case in a different light. Have you got your dress yet?”

“Not yet—we’re going to David’s Bridal to choose one,” Terra said. “And we’re thinking of having Allessi Bakery make the cake.”

“Oh, nice choice. I love their guava pastries,” the detective said. “Have you picked a florist yet?”