by Lynn Hagen
Ash grabbed a glass and filled it with soda before handing it over. Richie arched a brow. “I think you forgot the alcohol.”
“I think you’re fine with what I gave you.” Ash wiggled his brows. “I’m a wolf shifter, and now that you know, wanna try sex with someone who isn’t human?”
Richie nearly choked on his drink. “Don’t make me smack you.”
Ash erupted in laughter. “Thought that would shake you up. So shifters exist. Big deal. Nothing’s changed. Just your perspective. I’m still the Ash you know and love.”
“Who said I loved you?” Richie took a longer drink of his soda then set it down. “I think I found my mate. What the fuck does that even mean? Sure, Braydon told me that it meant that Cannon would always keep me safe and happy, that that bond would be deep, but I swear I’m completely lost.”
“It seems you know the basics. That’s all that’s important, and who the hell is Cannon?”
Richie told Ash about the mess with Davila, about how he’d gone after Braydon and Arturo. How Cannon had been undercover and had held a gun to Braydon to get the thumb drive so he could put Davila away for life.
“And now Cannon shows back up in Maple Grove for a vacation.” Richie finished his soda and wiggled his glass at Ash, who refilled it.
“Damn, it seems I missed out on all the fun.” He set Richie’s glass down. “How do you know Cannon is your mate?”
“Braydon said it was the way Cannon looked at me.” Now that Richie said it out loud, Braydon’s assumption sounded ridiculous.
“A shifter knows.” Ash patted his chest. “They feel it right here. It’s called the pull, and it’s a powerful force that won’t keep a nonhuman from his or her mate. If Cannon is yours, he’s here to stay.”
So much for a quick fling. “But I’m scared.”
“It’s overwhelming. I know. I mean I haven’t found my mate, but for a human who was ignorant of all this, I can only guess what you’re going through.” Ash patted Richie’s hand. “Just give Cannon a chance. You won’t regret it.”
To be honest, Richie was glad he’d had a talk with everyone before he faced Cannon. Now he had knowledge on his side, and he’d had time to think about things, to absorb the revelation, though he was still spazzing on the inside.
“Thanks, Ash.”
“I’ll send you the bill.” Ash winked. “Bring your mate to work tonight. I’d love to meet him.”
Richie waved as he walked out and headed to his car. He took a deep breath and then went to Bistro to replace his drink before he headed back to the motel.
Chapter Six
It was just Richie’s luck that his car decided to conk out on him on his way back to the motel. Worse, he was in a dead zone as far as his cell phone. No reception whatsoever.
“I really hate you,” he snarled at his car, though he was a bit worried about the smoke coming from under his hood. The car wasn’t about to catch fire, was it?
The only thing Richie could do was walk and pray he didn’t die of heat stroke before he got there. The sun was beaming down on him as if it were laughing at him. It smothered him with its heat as he trudged down the road.
Driving, Richie would’ve made it in about five minutes. Walking, who knew how long it would take?
At least he had his sweet drink with him, though it only made him thirstier. Sugar and sweating didn’t go well together. What Richie wouldn’t give for an ice-cold glass of water.
Every few minutes he checked his phone to see if he had reception while thinking about the bomb Braydon had dropped in his lap.
Cannon wasn’t human.
Then he thought about what not only Braydon told him but what Ash had said as well. Mates were forever. They had a deep bond.
“But you don’t even know if he’s your mate,” Richie grumbled just as a car slowed and stopped on the road. It was a black, four-door compact car.
Nothing special about it, except that it ran and Richie’s didn’t.
The guy behind the wheel smiled and leaned toward the passenger seat as he rolled his window down. “Need a lift?”
Richie would’ve told the guy no under any other circumstance, but he was dying out there, and already he felt his skin burning. That was what happened when you were a pale redhead. Never a tan. Always burning.
Still, he hesitated.
The stranger was bulky, wearing a blue T-shirt that stretched across his muscles. He had pretty hazel eyes and was clean-shaven. There were silver rings on a few of his fingers, and he wore a gold watch that seemed expensive. The guy looked friendly enough, but so had Ted Bundy. “Can I use your phone?”
That would be safer, and Richie could call the motel and ask for Cannon’s room since he didn’t know Cannon’s number by heart. Not only did his phone lack reception, but it had died about three minutes ago.
The stranger held his phone up. “Sorry, no service. I think we’re in a dead zone.”
Richie looked up and down the road. Where was a cop car when you needed one? He’d feel much better getting a ride from a deputy than someone he didn’t know.
The sun was merciless. Richie felt his skin shriveling up. He was so thirsty that he’d drink his own spit if he could produce any.
“It’s hot out there,” the guy said. “You don’t have to take a ride. I was just trying to save you since you look like your skin is burning.”
Richie also felt lightheaded. If he didn’t get somewhere cool, and fast, he wouldn’t make it another ten minutes.
Crossing his fingers that the stranger wasn’t a lunatic, Richie got into the passenger seat. “I’m going to the motel that’s just down the road.”
“Not a problem,” the guy said. “Name’s Jimmy.”
He stuck out his hand, and Richie shook it. “Cosmo.”
Richie wasn’t giving the guy his real name just in case he was a kook. Then again, his real name wouldn’t matter if Jimmy turned out to be a psycho.
“Cautious with strangers.” Jimmy nodded. “That’s real good.”
Jimmy drove down the road, whistling a tune Richie didn’t recognize. Richie rolled his window up and leaned forward, letting the coolness wash over his face. The air in the car felt good on his battered skin.
“The burns don’t look too bad,” Jimmy said. “I’d suggest staying inside until they heal.”
“I plan on it.”
“That must’ve been your car I passed back there.” He kept looking in the rearview mirror, and for reasons Richie couldn’t think of, that bothered him.
“Yeah, it gave out on me.” Richie looked into his side mirror but didn’t see anyone behind them.
“Damn shame in this heatwave,” Jimmy said. “Should always have emergency supplies in your trunk, which includes a gallon of water. You never know when that can save your life.”
And a big gardening hat would’ve helped, too. It would’ve blocked most of the sun from Richie’s face. “I’ll remember to do that.”
The closer they got to the motel, the more uneasy Richie felt. He couldn’t put his finger on it, but there was something off about Jimmy.
Richie looked down at the center console and saw a wallet sticking out of the small space.
A wallet with a Marvel logo on it. What were the fucking odds? “So, you traveling by yourself? Didn’t the wife want to come along?”
Jimmy gave a soft laugh, making himself seem almost genuine and charming. “No wife. I’m a happily single guy.”
“Oh, do you know anyone in town? I’m pretty new here. Moved to Maple Grove a few weeks ago.”
“Just passing through.” Jimmy pointed at the windshield. “There’s your motel.”
Red flags were waving in Richie’s head like a hurricane was landing. This car was stolen. Richie knew he shouldn’t have gotten in. Thankfully he was by the motel. As soon as he got out, he was calling the cops and reporting Jimmy.
If that was his real name.
Jimmy pulled into the lot but stopped before he made it to a
parking space. Richie looked out the window. A cop car was parked next to Cannon’s Jeep, and Cannon was outside talking to Deputy Burrows.
“Fuck,” Jimmy snapped.
“Thanks for the ride.” Richie reached for the door handle, but Jimmy backed up so fast that Richie slammed into the dashboard. “What’re you doing?”
“Getting the hell out of here.”
As the tires squealed, Richie rolled his window down and shouted Cannon’s name. He didn’t have to draw the guy’s attention. Cannon and Deputy Burrows were already looking their way.
Jimmy shot down the road, driving recklessly, pushing the car to the limit. Richie grabbed the seat belt and strapped it on. “Stop! Stop the car!”
They were going to crash, and at this speed, neither would survive. His sunburn was forgotten. Now all Richie worried about was his heart giving out.
“So, you know the detective,” Jimmy snarled. “Good to know I have some leverage.”
Richie looked in the side mirror. Not only was the cop car giving chase, its lights swirling and the siren blaring, but Cannon was in his Jeep right behind the cruiser.
“Just let me get out,” Richie begged. “I don’t care what’s going on. I just want out.”
Jimmy reached between his seat and the door, pulling out a gun. Richie stifled a cry. Was the guy going to shoot him? This was why taking a ride from a stranger was always a bad idea. Jimmy had turned out to be the lunatic Richie feared he was.
Jimmy slowed long enough to turn left, and that was when Richie grabbed the wheel, yanking it hard. He’d rather get into a crash than stay in the car with this nutjob, who may or may not shoot him.
The car spun and turned over. Richie screamed as it slid on its roof down the road. They hit a utility pole, and the car flipped again, this time taking them down an incline.
Richie was gonna die. There was no way he could survive this. The car kept flipping until it finally came to rest. Jimmy unfastened his seat belt, hit the roof, and bailed, leaving his door open.
Richie was too terrified to move. He heard gunshots, but he had nowhere to run. He tried taking his seat belt off, but it was stuck and Richie was upside down.
All the blood was rushing to his head, making his head pound.
“Richie!”
Cannon was calling his name. Richie had never been so glad to hear Cannon’s deep voice. Tears sprang to his eyes as he hung upside down, waiting to see the detective’s face.
“Richie, tell me you’re all right.” Cannon appeared in the doorway.
“I think I’m gonna be sick.” Richie heard more gunshots. They had sounded close, and he started wiggling to get free.
“Focus on me.” Cannon tried to release the seat belt, but it wouldn’t budge. Richie watched as a long, thick nail replaced the one on Cannon’s right index finger. He used the claw to cut the belt, while using his other arm to cradle Richie so he wouldn’t fall when released.
“I’ll explain things when we’re safe.” He looked Richie in his eyes, a pleading look as if he feared Richie would freak out.
“I’m okay.” Richie was thankful when he was able to get out of the car. Except for a few scrapes, he didn’t think he was seriously injured.
Which was a damn miracle.
He also grabbed the wallet because he knew how important it was to Hank. Hopefully the address on the driver’s license was current so he could return it. If not, Richie would give it to the sheriff.
Cannon brushed a hand over Richie’s cheek. “Got a few cuts on your face, but they don’t look serious. Anything on you hurt?”
The concern in Cannon’s eyes touched Richie. He was also glad Cannon was there and Jimmy was gone. “Who was that guy?”
“That’s another thing I need to explain. Right now I want to get you back to the motel.”
“But he knows I’m staying there.” Panic tried to set in. What if Jimmy came back and wanted revenge for Richie wrecking the car?
“Then we’ll buy a new unit for your window and move into your apartment.” Cannon lifted Richie into his arms and carried him up the incline.
Richie wasn’t heavy, but he wasn’t light, either. Cannon carried him as if he were as light as a feather. They made it to the road, but Deputy Burrows was nowhere in sight.
“I’m gonna call the sheriff.” Cannon set Richie onto the passenger seat of his Jeep. “Malik must’ve called already, but I want to make sure and have backup sent out here.”
Richie felt exposed. Jimmy had a gun, and he could be hiding in the tall weeds, aiming it at Richie’s head. He closed his door and ducked down, wishing Cannon would hurry up and get them away from here but also hoping Deputy Burrows was okay.
Richie’s heart leapt when he saw the deputy making his way up the incline about ten feet away. He appeared pissed as he made his way to Cannon. Richie rolled his window down so he could hear what was said.
“He got away,” Deputy Burrows said. “I tried to follow his scent, but he ran through a creek and I lost him.”
Was the deputy a shifter? He had to be if he was talking about following a scent. Richie was so over today. All he wanted to do was go home and start his day over.
“I called Sheriff Copache,” Cannon said. “Backup is on the way.”
Richie was curled up into a ball on the seat, but he couldn’t rip his eyes away from Cannon. The guy seemed so in control, so powerful, as though the air around him was charged. Richie didn’t think anyone could get to him with Cannon there to protect him.
“We’ll get him,” Deputy Burrows said. “I just can’t understand how he evaded me. It doesn’t make any sense. Sure, the water would do the trick, but I was hot on his trail. I should’ve seen him.”
“I’m taking Richie to his apartment.” Cannon looked back, and Richie tried to pretend he was interested in the sky, as if he hadn’t just been eavesdropping on their conversation.
“I know where he lives,” Deputy Burrows said. “You’ll have someone watching his place until Koehler is caught.”
With a nod, Cannon walked back to the Jeep and got in. “I promise I won’t let anything happen to you, but can you please tell me how you ended up in James Koehler’s car?”
Richie told Cannon about his car dying on him, and how Jimmy—wow, that had been his real name—had come upon him and offered him a ride.
“You got into a car with a stranger?”
“I was burning up,” Richie defended. “I wouldn’t have lasted much longer, and I couldn’t get a cell signal. I was dehydrated, lightheaded, and my skin was burning.”
Cannon didn’t look pleased as they sat there. Richie had no idea why Cannon wasn’t leaving until he spotted another patrol car. Cannon hadn’t wanted to leave the deputy alone.
“We definitely have a lot to talk about,” Cannon grumbled as he turned the Jeep around in the middle of the road and headed back to the motel.
They grabbed their things and drove to the hardware store in town, where Cannon purchased a humungous window unit.
“What about the days you paid for our rooms?” Richie didn’t like Cannon spending his money like this.
“I’ll call the owner and talk to him about a refund. In the meanwhile, consider me your bodyguard. I’m going to work with you tonight, and everywhere else you have to go until Jimmy is caught.”
Richie wasn’t going to argue about that. Not after that crazy ride and crash. Not after seeing Jimmy with that gun.
And especially not after Jimmy had said he would use Richie as leverage.
* * * *
“How’re you holding up?” Malik rested against his patrol car in the back parking lot of the apartment building where Richie lived. After searching for most of the day, they still hadn’t found James Koehler.
It felt just like it had when he’d been looking for Davila. In town, but nowhere to be found. Malik didn’t like anyone outsmarting him, and a human? That was a blow to his damn ego.
“I finally got my mate to get a few hours of s
leep.” Cannon looked as if he could use some rest, too. He kept rubbing his hand over his head, and it seemed he struggled to keep his eyes open. He wasn’t going to be good to anyone if he was this tired.
“Maybe you should join him,” Malik suggested.
“Nah, I’m good. I can’t let my guard down now that I know Jimmy is in town. My gut tells me he’s not alone.”
“You think he has others with him?” That complicated things, especially if no one knew who the other players were. It would make Malik and the other deputies’ jobs harder. Malik had followed the news coverage of the trial, and he knew Davila was a vengeful man. Once during the trial he’d erupted into a fit, threatening everyone in the room, including Cannon.
“I worked undercover with these guys for five long years,” Cannon said. “Jimmy always made vague references to buddies he had on the force whenever he attended a meeting. He seemed proud that other cops were on the take, but I could never get any names.”
“You think he’d use those friendships to help him?”
Cannon snorted. “I wouldn’t call them friendships. More like mutual interest in greed. But yeah, I think he would bribe them into helping him.”
Malik needed to get those names if he was going to help the sheriff’s department take down a ring of dirty cops. “Tell me everything you know.”
* * * *
“I might need your help.” Malik sat in his cruiser outside Richie’s apartment building, keeping an eye on the place. Once he was done with his call, he would patrol the back of the building, too.
“Talk to me.”
This was a call Malik should’ve made a while ago, when Davila had been threatening Arturo and Braydon. He’d arrogantly thought he could handle the situation on his own, and he’d nearly gotten himself and others killed.
He explained the situation and how one of the dirty cops was in town. “If I’m not mistaken, this falls under the ‘interfering with mating’ law. I’m not gonna lie. There are unknown players, more dirty cops with Koehler. I don’t want to fuck this up.”