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far-too-interested ex-boyfriends do you have, exactly?”
    “Uh, no idea. Why?”
    Jack took my arm and started moving us along. “Oh, I just got the ‘you treat her right or I’ll make your life a living hell and I have friends who know how to ensure that’s meant literally’ lecture. I got similar from Ken. And the Count, via Ken’s wrist-com. I got it from Amanda, and Maurice. I got it from Monty and, from what I gathered, Rover. Lord, even the white worm’s giving me lectures.”
    This wasn’t exactly what I’d expected. I felt kind of warm and fuzzy that so many beings cared. “Sorry?”
    “Not your fault. You know, I’m not that much of a jerk, or that much of a womanizer. Am I?”
    “I don’t think so. Then again, you know us werewolves. We’re loyal to a fault.”
    He managed a snort of laughter. “Thank god. I’m okay to say that, right? No smiting, per the lectures?”
    “Right. Though a lot of them like to take the thanks. But, nothing to worry about.”
    “At least that’s one worry I can write off.” He looked at me out of the corner of his eye. “I guess it’s flattering.”
    “How so?” I was going for cool. Cool isn’t a canine trait, however. I was pleased I wasn’t panting at him and my butt was only moving normally for walking.
    “That everyone thinks you’re so into me that I could break your heart without trying.”
    “Oh.” I wondered how to respond to this. “I so totally am” was the truth, but I’d always understood you weren’t supposed to say that before you’d even had a first date. “Oh, not at all” was both a lie and probably not destined to start any relationship well. “We’ll see” seemed bitchy. “I don’t know” was stupid, since I absolutely did. “Doesn’t matter” was a lie.
    Jack slid his arm around my waist. “I don’t plan to break your heart.”
    “No one ever plans that.” The words slipped out before I could stop them.
    He hugged me. “Yeah, I know. How about, I’ll do my best not to break your heart if you do your best not to break mine.”
    “That seems fair to me. Not that I don’t like it, but didn’t the Chief want us pretending for the rest of the squad?”
    Jack sighed. “Yeah.” He stopped, pulled us into a supply closet, and kissed me. “You know, I’ve wanted to kiss you since the first time I saw you.”
    “Really?” My butt was doing its thing. Sometimes it was easier to be in wolf or werewolf form.
    “Yeah. Figured I didn’t have a chance, considering who you were dating at the time.” I’d been dating Ken, point of fact, and I could see how a human would look at him and figure any girl who was with a guy that suave, sophisticated, handsome and charming wouldn’t be looking to trade in any way. “Then I got you as my partner and knew I didn’t have any chance at all.”
    “Because you knew I was a werewolf?”
    “Because I knew you were a good cop and good cops don’t get romantically involved with their partners.”
    “I guess we’re both bad cops, now.” I tried to feel guilty about it and didn’t manage it. Probably because Jack was nuzzling my hair.
    “No. Per the Chief, these things happen.” He hugged me tightly. “It’s going to get ugly fast, isn’t it?”
    “Yeah, it is.”
    “I just want you to know that I can handle it. I’m sure there are going to be things I’ve never imagined coming at us, but you’re still my partner, no matter what. And partners back each other up.”
    “You’re the best partner I’ve ever had, Jack. And I’ve had a lot. Our Enforcement team is great. We’ll all manage.” I hoped.
    Of course, I’d been wrong before. But even the Count said I needed to let that one go. I still hadn’t, but maybe someday.
    My wrist-com went live. “Vic, it’s Monty. Guess where I am?”
    “At the cemetery with Ralph?”
    “You’re so good with guessing games.”
    “Yeah, it’s one of my gifts. Jack and I are headed to City Hospital. Keep me