by Linda Palmer
I really needed to go to that meeting tomorrow night.
It was almost eleven p.m. by the time I stepped through the front door of the house I currently called home, Hunter came out of nowhere and slammed me into the wall. "What the hell is wrong with you?" His voice was a pissed-off hiss. His hands clutched the jacket I wore.
I broke the contact with a sharp downward pass of my arms. "Nothing. What the hell is wrong with you?"
"You know we can't talk about the pack to outsiders."
"And I haven't."
"Oh yeah? Then why did Lily Vincent come here looking for you?"
Shit. "Who?"
"Don't jerk me around. You know who I'm talking about."
I moved out of his reach and straightened my clothes. "Maybe. What'd you tell her?"
"That you weren't here, as usual. Look, dude, you're up to something and, honestly, I don't want to know what it is. What I do want is to stay out of it. As for your girl, she clearly knows too much already."
"She won't talk."
"Not even to save you? Because I can't see her keeping anything secret if she thinks you're in some kind of trouble."
His words hit me hard. Did she really care for me that much? "I'm trying to keep her out of trouble."
"Then break it off, man. At least until you're done with whatever the hell you're doing."
I narrowed my gaze. "What do you mean?"
"Everyone thinks you're getting ready to challenge Mike. Is that what's going on here? Because if it is, you need to think about what you have instead of what you want."
"Meaning?"
"Lily's in love with you."
"You don't know shit about how she feels."
He snorted a laugh. "Okay. Let's say I don't. What I do know is that Mike's wife left him three times this year."
"What's that got to do with—"
"Listen." He grabbed my biceps. "What we are is bad enough, but we can't help it. What we do is a choice we make every minute of every day, and it should never, ever affect the people we love."
I felt my face flush and was instantly on the defensive. "What I've done does not impact Lily. What I'm doing now does not impact this pack."
"Are you saying you've done something in the past that has?"
"Yes, but I swear no one's going to get hurt." I didn't lie. Young wolves were rarely prosecuted by the Corteggio. They wanted the alphas—the guys in charge, the guys that knew better. Pack members like Hunter got warnings, offers of a cure, and, if he didn't take that, a contract to keep him in line.
He got right in my face. "I guess we'll find out soon enough. As for Lily, you know what you've got to do." His finger digging into my chest accented every word. "You know." Pivoting, he left me.
Instead of following him upstairs, I turned and left again, driving to the look-out spot where I'd first met Lily. She'd been a happy surprise from the moment she stopped to change my tire. There was no denying I had feelings for her, and though I wasn't exactly in love, in other circumstances, I wouldn't have far to fall.
Was that enough reason to completely cut her out of my life? Just the thought made me a little sick to my stomach. I realized I'd been planning to set her aside until it was all over and I was finally free. Apparently I'd been assuming she'd be all right with that.
Wow. Was I being a self-absorbed idiot or what?
Seeing things from her point of view, I realized I wasn't being fair. That shouldn't have been a surprise, I guess. I'd been on my own for five years now, accountable to no one but Ben. When it came to girls, I'd definitely lost whatever social skills I'd once had.
Was I wrong to leave her hanging? More important, was Hunter right in telling me to break it off?
I decided that if he was and if I followed through, I'd be the only one affected. My feelings for Lily were so confusing that she couldn't possibly have any idea what they were. As for her feelings for me… Did she even have any beyond friendship? Sure, we'd kissed and touched, but that meant nothing these days.
You know what you've got to do.
"Yeah, yeah." Silencing Hunter's voice in my head, I dug my phone out of my pocket and went straight to favorite contacts. I saw her name. I saw her number. But my fingers just wouldn't complete the call.
What the hell?
I could count on one hand the times we'd actually been face-to-face. I could even count our kisses. Yet she was the silver lining that was making my shit-storm of a life bearable. Besides, a break up might not even be necessary if I had the wrong Paxton.
My gut told me I didn't.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Lily
I snatched up my cell phone. "Hello?"
"It's me. It's Cade."
My heart turned a joyous cartwheel. Finally.
"I'll make this quick," he said without giving me time to speak. "You and I? We don't work. So I'm breaking this off clean."
"Wait. What?"
"This is the last time we're ever going to talk. I mean it, Lily. I'm gone. Do not look for me."
"But--" Too late. He was gone.
I stared at my cell phone in total disbelief. Righteous anger brought heat to my cheeks, but hurt quickly took over.
Then came the unmistakable pain of a broken heart. I burst into tears.
*****
On Wednesday aka New Year's Eve, I kept myself busy by spending most of the day helping out the coworkers I'd come to know better. I could tell they liked me as much as I liked them. We were a good fit. So that, at least, was working in my favor.
As for things that weren't—I still smarted from last night's abrupt break up. What the hell? He was the one who'd started this rollercoaster ride, not me. Oh how I wanted to call and tell him what I thought of guys who were players. But pride wouldn't let me do it. He might think I was desperately clinging, which I so wasn't. I had way more gumption than that.
Besides, he probably wouldn't answer.
So maybe he deserved a thank you for the clean break that was best for us both. I'd get on with my life. He'd get on with his. Ta-da and fini!
With luck, his hints about a supernatural world wouldn't take root in my brain. Werewolves, I'd accepted, and psychics, too. As for everything else—I didn't plan to go there on purpose ever.
*****
Around three that afternoon, I took a short break, deliberately picking the same time as Angie. I waited until she was drinking a Coke in the lounge before speaking. "I saw Hunter last night."
"Where?"
"At a house on Pine Street. Apparently he and Cade both live there."
"Who's Cade?"
Wishing I hadn't blurted a name, I tried to answer neutrally. "Just a guy I know. His friends call him Cowboy, I think."
"Oh. The guy who came into the shop the other day?"
"Yeah."
"Thought he looked familiar. Must've seen them together, though we weren't introduced or anything. Like I said, Hunter is very secretive."
"I told him we work together. I also mentioned Rocky."
Her eyes flew open wide. "Oh my God, Lily. Why would you do that?"
"Sorry. I know it's none of my business, but he was asking questions, and I just blurted it. Since he looks entirely capable of squashing Rocky like a bug, that may be a good thing."
Angie gnawed her lower lip. "I just don't want him to get hurt."
My stomach knotted, but I kept my tone neutral. "What do you mean?"
"I'm worried that whatever is 'going down' is something really dangerous. It's all been petty stuff up until now."
"Are you talking about the recent crime wave?" Such as it was.
She nodded. I'd never seen her so worried.
"Listen, Ang. Hunter wants you to wait for him. He thinks it'll all be good in a month."
"Of course I'll wait, but what am I supposed to do during that time? Pretend he's surfing in Australia instead of tempting fate?"
Unable to think of an answer, I resorted to a platitude. "I truly believe that everything
will turn out just the way it should."
Angie's eyes filled as she reached out for my hug. "Oh, Lily. Don't you see? That's exactly what I'm scared of."
*****
At dinner that evening, I tried to keep up the charade of normalcy that had directed my day. By then, though, I was feeling more confused than hurt. If Cade didn't want me, then fine. I didn't want him. My talking to him at Tooly's had been a huge mistake, and I blamed myself for it even though I was only trying to be nice. Cade, however, got the blame for every face-to-face after that, which was why our breakup baffled me. I just didn't get it.
Neecy, Theo and I celebrated New Year by not waiting up for it. Were we duds, or what? We did open a bottle of sparkling cider around ten-thirty and drank to the future. Then the two of them retreated to their bedroom to watch Sleepless in Seattle, a tradition begun when they were still just dating.
Once I went to bed, I couldn't fall asleep. My mind would not shut down. Then when it finally did, I woke to the sound of sleet pinging against the glass panes of the window. I glanced at the clock. It was only midnight. Was there supposed to be a storm tonight? I lay on my bed and listened. All was quiet. So not sleet. Then I heard the sound again. Pebbles against glass. My heart leapt.
Had Cade changed his mind?
Kicking off the covers, I looked out my window. A guy stood on the ground, about to throw more.
Cade!
But no. The silhouette was wrong. It took a second and another rain of pebbles before I recognized him—Hunter. I raised the window.
"Cliché much?" I called down to him as softly as I could.
"Shhh." He motioned for me to come out.
I didn't bother wondering how he knew where I lived. Nor did I bother changing out of my PJs, which consisted of a T-shirt and crop pants. I did pull on a jacket and my knee boots before sneaking down the stairs and opening the back door. I met him near the garage. "What's wrong? Why are you here? Did Cade send you?"
"Who?"
"Cowboy."
"Ah. Forget him, okay? He's moved on."
Ouch. That meant Hunter was there for another reason. I didn't have to guess what. "Angie said she'd wait for you."
He sucked in a breath. "No shit?"
"No shit, and now you owe me. What's up with Cowboy?"
"Nothing. Guys like him just don't hang around long."
I gasped. "Are you saying he left town? But he was going to that meeting."
It was Hunter's turn to suck air. "He told you about tonight's meeting?" He shook his head in disbelief.
"Tonight! The meeting was tonight?"
He didn't answer. He didn't have to.
"Is that why he broke up with me? Because he was going to that stupid meeting and didn't know if he'd ever come back?"
"Listen to me, Lily. Do not get caught up in Cowboy's crap."
"But I know people with special skills. They can—"
Hunter grabbed me by the arms. "No!" He took a ragged breath. "Cowboy broke up with you to keep you safe."
"Why? Is he in danger? I need to know."
With a huff of exasperation, Hunter released me and stepped back. "I can't help you if you won't listen." Pivoting sharply, he left me at a jog and ran into the night shadows. My hesitation let him get away clean. A few moments later, I heard the roar of a powerful engine. The squeal of tires on pavement told me I was alone. I huddled against the garage instead of going back inside.
I wasn't an idiot. Although I didn't know exactly what Cade was secretly trying to do for his mom, now, thanks to Ben, I suspected it had something to do with his dad. There my train of thought hit a fork in the track. In one scenario, Cade miraculously found his father and revealed his identity—a sort of look-what-you've-missed-now-go-to-hell type of encounter that turned out well. In another scenario, Cade found his dad and got revenge for his mom's betrayal. How, I didn't know. I hoped it didn't involve fists, knives, or guns.
The bottom line of both possibilities was simple: a guy I loved was in way over his head.
Wait. Love?
As in Lily Vincent + Cade Messig = Love?
My sudden headache wouldn't let me go there. All I knew for sure was that I couldn't help caring, and he'd cut me off from whatever he was doing. Calling DeLuca was an option, I guessed, but what would I tell him? DeLuca had guessed enough to be pissed. Even if I did have a clue to share, I couldn't be sure he'd put other guys in harm's way to save a rogue agent, even one he'd practically raised.
Chilled to the bone, I finally went inside the house, intending to climb the rear stairs and crawl under my blankets. But the moment I stepped through the back door, the light came on.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Cade
Lily had been on my mind all day Wednesday, even though Mike had been briefing me on pack business. I was glad I'd kept the break-up drama to a minimum, deliberately not giving her good reasons or time to argue. I hoped she'd be so upset that she'd immediately put me in her past. Trouble was, I couldn't do the same. I kept hearing the shock in her voice. The startled "What?" that had said it all.
My severing the relationship so abruptly had probably hurt her, the very thing I'd been trying to avoid. So feeling like a total shit now was exactly what I deserved, and I was pretty much wallowing in it when I should be concentrating on the danger ahead. Mike, picking up on my distraction, was starting to get pissed, and asked at least twice if I was sure I wanted to go.
Yeah, he'd come through for me, and now I sat beside him in his car, my stomach in knots.
Midnight would've been a ridiculous time to start any kind of meeting except one involving Weres. We liked the night, and apparently having this get together on New Year's Eve was a tradition. I figured I could expect a discussion about the upcoming year.
Mike had been driving his car for a while now. Based on the things Lily had said, I figured Paxton's house was in town, and we'd be there in no time. But it was a good half hour of dark, winding roads and sharp inclines later that he finally turned down a road leading into the woods. Although I had a damn good sense of direction, I was definitely lost by then. Had Mike confused me on purpose?
A narrow asphalt drive took us to a house the size of Cowboy Stadium and completely hidden from the road by a brick wall. The wrought-iron gate stood open. I saw other cars parked in the circle drive. Mike pulled up and parked behind the last one. We both got out and headed up the walk to a lighted porch.
This was it, I realized. The culmination of a five-year search.
Retribution, if things went well.
Hell if they didn't.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Lily
"Ach!" The bright glow blinded me for a second, but my eyes quickly adjusted. Standing in the tiny junction of the laundry room, kitchen, and back staircase was Theo, and he didn't look happy.
"Where have you been? It's dark out there." He acted like he was my dad or something.
"I thought you guys were still watching your movie."
He ignored that. "Is Cade outside? Why didn't he come in?"
"It wasn't him. It was a friend of his."
"What'd he want?"
"He came to tell me that…that…" My eyes suddenly filled, shocking both of us.
Theo's outrage switched to panic. "Neecy!" he roared. "Get in here!"
In seconds, Neecy flew into the kitchen, waving a pistol. Theo ducked out of range and gently pried it from her fingers. "We won't be needing this."
I'm not sure she even heard that because by then, all her focus was on me. One head-to-toe glance was all she needed to know I'd been out. She swooped over and hugged me. "Is it Cade?"
Her sympathy did me in. I began to bawl.
My tears rattled them both. But the past days of worrying, Cade's goodbye, and Hunter's attitude had done a job on me. So much for handling things. I'd somehow turned into a crybaby.
"Let's sit down." Theo guided me to the bar. "Neecy, make her some hot chocolate or something."
> But Neecy sat on the bar stool to the right of mine. Theo, looking lost, finally took the one on the left. Neither said a word. Unsure of where to start, I confronted my brother-in-law. "What did you and Cade talk about Christmas when the two of you sneaked off? You've obviously called a truce, though why there needed to be one, I don't know."
"We have some, er, things in common."
Turning my head so Neecy couldn't see, I mouthed Are you a wolf?
Theo nearly fell off the stool. He told you?
I nodded.
"Are you two whispering?" Neecy jumped off hers and got between us. Outrage had flushed her cheeks. "Is there something I don't know?"
I opened my mouth to answer, but then looked at Theo, instead. "Is there?"
He sighed. "Neecy, we should talk."
"Damn straight."
"But I think it might be best if we did it in the den. Are you sure you don’t want any hot chocolate, Lily?"
"Only if you do."
"I believe I do. Neece, would you mind?"
She glanced from him to me and back again, clearly suspicious. "Do not talk until I get there."
"As you wish."
She didn't laugh at his lame Westley the farm boy impression, but stalked over to the pantry. We escaped into the den, where we conducted a frantic whisperfest. Theo dropped to one knee and threw a couple of logs on the fire, which he automatically ignited with a gas jet.
I took off my jacket and boots.
"What has he said about me?" Theo asked.
"Nothing. He won't talk about you at all."
"Is he in trouble?"
"I think so."
"If you guys are whispering again you're going to get a Swiss Miss bath!"