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I looked at myself through his eyes, and I was even more beautiful than I already knew I was.

“It’s not hard when I’m constantly thinking about impressing you.”

“Flirt.”

The wine arrived, and I poured two glasses, sliding one to Ryden. I raised my glass to his. “To catching monsters,” I said.

“And to a great night of dirty sex.”

We watched Mason as we ate our food as Ryden told me more about my prey, how long he had been working, how he killed.

Mason. A man with such an inconspicuous name with an inconspicuous face. No one would even assume he was a killer. He pushed back his chair and stood, and I followed suit with a smile in Ryden’s direction. My nerves came alive, and the demons in my head crooned.

“It’s game time.”

“Bring it on, Red. I’ll be watching.”

I bent down and leaned closer, my breath teasing the shell of his ear.

“Don’t forget the safe word, Ryden.”

“Never.”

Quickly adjusting my dress, I walked away, following Mason to the restroom. I waited for him to come back and timed my move so that he would be seeing me as he came out.

And I accidentally stumbled, stood up and he grabbed my purse for me, and the spilled contents—such a gentleman—but I saw the calculating gleam in his eyes as he studied me.

“Thank you,” I said with a smile before I walked into the restroom. I took my time, knowing he’d be waiting when I came out. I knew how men like him operated, and they never disappointed.

With a smile, I walked out, and ah, there he was.

“Hi, sorry. This is yours, right?” He showed me the lipstick he had taken from my purse.

“Oh, thank you! That’s my favorite color, too,” I said, taking it from him. “I’m Kat, by the way. And you are?”

“I’m Carl,” he said with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

Here we go.

“Nice to meet you, Carl.”

“I’m new around here,” he continued, his casual delivery almost too practiced, too smooth. “Do you know any good coffee places nearby?”

Subtle, but not subtle enough. He was fishing for information, hoping I’d rattle off the names of my favorite haunts, giving him just enough to figure out where I might pop up again. I wouldn’t think twice about it—if I wasn’t a killer, if I hadn’t already known who he exactly was.

“There’s one closer to my work. They have great coffee, but it’s a long distance from here.”

“I don’t mind. I love coffee, and whenever I got to another city, I’d get my list from the locals.”

His way of hunting. He was good.

“Hot Cuppa.”

He thanked me as I walked away, and I could feel his eyes on my back.

“The fish has taken the bait. Let’s go home.”

He wasn’t lying. There was more wine when we got home, a plate of cheese and cakes, and there was a book, waiting by the bedside table.