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"What does that mean?" Parc pressed hard to be heard and get through. His worry was through the roof now, and he was on his way out back to his car. He knew where Danny lived, and he needed to be there.
"I don't have bottled water in the house, and it's an expensive bottle, something I wouldn't buy." That had Parc quickly jogging to his car.
"Stay on the phone. I'm on my way. Do you have cameras?" He wanted to demand that he go back to his car and lock the doors, but Danny was a police officer and not a helpless child, and such a request would not be well received. He drove fast and kept Danny talking. The panic he felt earlier grew more extreme as he quickly threaded his way through traffic.
"No, well, I do, but they're not installed. I've checked the house top to bottom, and there's no one here, and the doors and windows are all locked. I called the landlord, and he swears that he was nowhere near my place and definitely did not come inside. No one else has a key.”
“Who has access to the landlord’s key?” Parc was planning to visit this landlord and make sure he was not bothering his mate, but he wouldn’t share that with Danny.
“He claims no one but him.” He didn’t sound confident in that answer.
"We're changing your locks today," Parc stated, and that was one thing he would not budge on. His mate needed to be safe, and he needed to know that his mate was safe.
"Already got them ordered. The locksmith will be here before noon." Parc was relieved that his mate was taking this seriously.
"Good." Parc pulled into the driveway behind Danny's car and parked. "I'm at your front door, baby; let me in." He said and closed the call. Danny was at the door in seconds and letting him in. Parc pulled him into his arms and just held him for a couple of minutes, reassuring himself that Danny was well and safe. His wolf was definitely riled up, and their mate's touch helped calm him.
“Do you mind if I take a look around? I might see something you missed.” Parc wanted to scent the rooms and also get a read on the water bottle. His mate’s scent was predominant, but beneath that was another, and it was recent. It was most prevalent at the back door through the kitchen and upstairs but was also present throughout the house. The most troubling fact was that there were two intruders, and they were vampires.
This wasn’t something he could share with Danny. He would think him insane or, worse, ridiculous. The fact that vampires were targeting his mate's home was something he would not tolerate.
Whether they were part of the Dominion operation or simple opportunists, it didn't matter. Parc would find them and make sure they never bothered Danny again. But again, that was not something he could discuss with his mate. Cross was right; he needed to bring Danny into the fold as soon as possible for his safety and the value of his expertise.
Danny was a trained officer, and Parc would have liked to discuss this situation with him, but the truth was too much for right now. Vampires and the paranormal was a discussion that would take time, understanding, and a commitment to secrecy. He considered how to present his findings as he made his way to the kitchen, where Danny was preparing him a cup of coffee.
When he entered, the coffee was on the table opposite where Danny was seated. It looked like such a common, ordinary scene that it touched his heart and made him dream of their lives together ahead.
He took a seat and noticed that his coffee was black, just as he liked it, and no cream or sugar was nearby. Danny had paid attention yesterday and remembered his preference which brought another pleasant rush of warmth.
“Did you notice anything? I know you’re not familiar with my home, but did anything set off your internal warning system?” Parc laughed inwardly at the description and nodded.
"It may sound strange to you, but the air is heavy with a smell that does not belong to you. It's acrid, which makes it stand out against your soft, fresh aroma." Parc played with the words, trying to convey his impression without saying too much.
“It’s like someone who hasn’t bathed in a while.” Danny lit up when Parc agreed with him. The scent Danny couldn’t read was the sweetness that lay over the harsher smell, and that was a vampire. They obviously weren't the cream of the crop because, as a rule, vampires are quite fastidious about their appearance, and filth was not something they aspire to.
If these guys don't care how they smell, then they probably don't care about a lot of things, including who they work for and the jobs they're asked to do. Those considerations spiked Parc's concern for his mate. He needed to find these guys and deal with them.
"Someone was in your house, but you say they took nothing, so what was their purpose?" Parc asked and took a sip of his coffee which was hot and perfect, just like his mate.
"Intimidation, listening device, although I'm pretty low level, and I can't imagine what they would expect to hear." Danny drank his coffee and thought, but he didn't make any other suggestions. Parc knew that if Danny truly knew who he was dealing with, he would have more clarity and see the connection between his intruders, Vic, the Dominion Coven, and all the nuisance calls on the strip.
His heart was aching to explain it all to him, just lay it out and make him believe. He sat, locked eyes with his gorgeous mate, and considered the idea for a few minutes, but he couldn't take the risk that he'd shut him down and shut him out. They were connected but was the bond strong enough to keep him listening. "Intimidation is my guess." He answered, deciding to remain careful and guarded for now.
"I agree, and the best I can do until I get more evidence is install my cameras and change all the locks." He sounded irritated, and he had every right to be. Parc just hated having his mate even the slightest bit unhappy.
“Do you have an alarm system?”
“No, but the locksmith is bringing some samples for me to check out.”
"Have him install the alarm," Parc stated, holding Danny's gaze until he nodded his acceptance. "It is important that you be safe in your own home." Danny reluctantly agreed and then stood and poured Parc another cup of coffee.
“Are you going to get any sleep today?” Parc enquired.
"After the locksmith finishes, I'll lay down," Danny answered his questions and did not balk at his commanding tone. Parc was discovering that although Danny was all business and in charge when working or in his cop mode, he did not extend that attitude to his time with Parc.
He allowed Parc to take the lead in personal matters and, so far, had allowed him to own the power and control in the relationship. Parc vowed that he would never take that trust for granted.
“Don’t forget dinner.” Parc reminded.
