by J. M. Witt
Sighing, “You’re a stubborn ass.”
“Ok. Admit that you want another night, too.” We were in a stand-off.
“That wasn’t part of the bargain, Mina. I already told you this wasn’t a one night deal for me.”
“Please. Dixie won’t let this happen again once she finds out.”
He laughed. “If you think that hussy has any say over what and who I’m with, you’re wrong. I’ve never done to her what I just did to you, what you begged me to do. Not even close. I don’t share what’s mine, make no mistake, and she was never mine.”
I flinched at the harshness in his voice. Was he trying to say that I was his? I didn’t know what to say or do. Standing, I followed him out of the room. He was throwing his clothes back on as I watched him dress. I blocked the door and he picked me up and moved me like a ragdoll. I didn’t want him to go, but I couldn’t get myself to say the words.
“I’m not into playing games, Mina. When you’re ready to admit what’s here, I hope for your sake I’m still around.”
The front door slammed behind him. Crushed, I locked the door and went back to the office and curled up on the couch. What happened? What did I just do? I wasn’t even sure what went wrong. His ego, mine, I wasn’t sure. There was one thing I had most certainly been wrong about. One night with him would never be enough to satiate me. It didn’t even begin to scratch the surface for the hunger he’d now instilled in me.
The next evening I walked out on to my back porch and found a note on the patio for me. A brick held it down and my name was written on top. I looked around my back yard and didn’t see anyone and nothing seemed out of place. Picking up the letter, I took a shaky breath and opened it up.
Dearest Mina,
Please forgive me for being hesitant in revealing myself to you. I am what you believe me to be. Know that I have treasured our time together and the secrets you’ve revealed to me will stay just that; secrets.
Writing this letter has been one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I’ve never felt for anyone what I feel for you. I can’t explain it, but it’s more than a feeling. It’s an instinct, a belief, an intuition that you’re meant to be mine.
I hope that I haven’t waited too long and that you’ll give me another chance. And please, when I do reveal myself to you, know that I had my reasons for waiting.
Yours truly,
Red
I collapsed in the patio chair knowing what I’d done. In going to the bar that night with Debi, I’d quite possibly ruined whatever it was I was building with Red. By indulging with Rollo, I’d opened Pandora’s Box. Emotions now flooded me for two men, one who knew me carnally and the other who knew me emotionally. How could I ever choose between them?
What had just happened? I stood outside her shop, baffled. I heard the click of the lock and knew she wouldn’t let me back in. Not tonight. I tuned my ears to her movement as she walked to the back office. Her gentle sobs began to fill my ears and I couldn’t stand to listen to them. Hopping in my truck, I drove home as the sun rose. I slept most of the day away. After waking, I decided to head to her place to see if the letter I’d left for her was still sitting on the patio table where I’d placed it.
I was having second thoughts about writing it and hoped she hadn’t found it yet. I wasn’t some teenage boy writing a love letter. What the hell had I been thinking? I had written it last night before I headed to the bar to check in on her. I meant every word of that letter and that’s what scared me the most. Nightcall by Kavinsky was playing again and I made a mental note to update my playlist.
When I drove by her place, her truck was out front. Parking down the block, I headed into the woods and circled back behind her property. Standing at the tree-line on her property, I’d arrived too late. She was reading the letter, her hand clutching the shirt she wore just above her heart. I nearly blew my cover when she dropped into the chair and began sobbing.
I was pretty sure I knew what was running through her head, which was part of why I wanted to get the letter back before she read it. She felt loyalty to us both, my red husky shifter form and me, as Rollo. I shouldn’t have taken her back to the massage shop. In doing so I’d made her feel cheap and used, or so I assumed. But another part of me told me that her guilt was a good sign. She cared about me, both parts of me.
I kept my distance the next couple days. Meeting with a local PI, we continued looking more into her background. We pulled birth certificates, death certificates, and found nothing. No father was listed. We scoured the newspapers during the timeframe of her mother’s death. Jude Thomas had been a suspect, but he hadn’t been seen since the night Mora’s body was discovered. And from the details, there was a second body at the scene, but not enough to I.D. it. Speculation said that it was Jude, but DNA tests didn’t match. Whoever it was had been butchered and it wasn’t the first murder in Woodland Creek in that fashion.
There was a good chance the body was that of Jude since the murders continued—were continuing—after his disappearance. But, was Jude Mina’s father? The Thomas family was one of the founding families and still had strong ties to the community. I had to be careful how I poked my nose around, being an outsider and all.
“What you doing?” Zeke peered over my shoulder as I closed the file. “Why you so obsessed with that tramp?”
Growling, I spit out, “She’s no tramp.” Zeke put his hands up and sat down across from me. “Leave her be, Zeke. I mean it.”
“She’s our target. Isn’t that why we came here, to make sure the Spitz line was forever extinguished?” So he did know who she was. I should’ve known that mother would have told him, too. “I enjoy the cat and mouse game myself, but this has gone on long enough, Rollo. I want to go home.”
Slamming my hands on the table I bellowed, “Then go. I’m not stopping you. I’m making sure all the facts line up. I’ll take care of her.” I left it there because I didn’t need him suspicious of my true intentions.
“Your dick is clouding your judgement, brother.” He stood up and left the room.
Throwing all the papers to the floor, I clasped my head in my hands. Victoria tried telling me that Mina probably had something to do with Scott’s death, but I knew otherwise. Mina wasn’t a murderer. Fifteen years ago Jude and Mora had been rumored to be dating, but Mora was also close with my uncle Scott. Jesus. I was probably digging up some horrid love triangle and there was no telling what I’d find. Hell, maybe Scott had killed them both. And it still didn’t explain why Victoria was involved.
Taking my chances, I packed everything up and headed to the Thomas estate. Jillian Thomas, the matriarch, was still alive and I hoped she’d be willing to talk to me.
I pulled up the long tree-lined drive and took in the huge Victorian home. It needed some work, but was classically beautiful. I was invited into the house, but my guard was up. The house reeked of cats and could’ve qualified for an episode of Hoarders. Following the young girl to the back of the house, the clutter disappeared and I was escorted into a formal living room with antique furniture. Aware of my size, I didn’t dare sit down on the delicate furniture.
There was a ruckus coming from another hallway as I heard an old lady bicker with another woman. “Who let the dog in? I can smell him all the way on the other side of the house.” The old lady walked into the room and took in my figure. I could only assume that the ‘dog’ she was referring to was me. The rumors appearing to be true that they were in deed wizards. “Well, aren’t you quite the specimen.” Funny how her demeanor changed as she scoured my body.
“Mrs. Thomas I presume, Rollo Frost.”
I tried to stretch out my hand, but she’d already turned to take her seat. She wasn’t even done positioning herself when a cat jumped into her lap and hissed at me.
“Calm down, Skittles.” She stroked the cat and ordered me to sit. “It can hold you, now sit down.” I did as she instructed and waited. “So, Rollo Frost. What can I do for you?”
“Wel
l, there’s no point in beating around the bush. I’m here about your son, Jude, and his connection to Mora Spitz.”
“Eck, she was a filthy dog; quite a piece of work. Men falling at her feet and all she did was string them all along.” Leering at me, “If I remember correctly, your uncle was one of them.”
“I wouldn’t know, Ma’am. That’s why I’m here. I’m trying to find out what really happened to them, all of them.”
She studied me with her eyes, “No, there’s more. If you can’t be truthful, then don’t expect any help from me.”
Puffing out a breath, I ran my hands over my beard. “I’m trying to help a friend uncover the identity of her father. Mina Spitz.” Her eyes didn’t waver from my face and I continued. “I believe that Jude may be her father.”
“Pah! Not a chance. Mora came to town with that child on her hip. My Jude would’ve claimed his child.”
“That may be, but what if he didn’t know?” That seemed to get her attention. “My pack banished Mora and her baby, rumors circulating about rape or cheating.” I could see her turning red. “I’m not saying your son raped her. I believe there’s more to the story. But, Mina is my primary concern.”
“That girl was nothing but a delinquent as a teenager, probably still is.” I smiled at that. Mina had been in and out of trouble as a teenager, but all minor offenses.
“Something is brewing inside her, causing blackouts, and I think you might know what it is. It’s more than shifter inside her. There’s magic in her.”
Narrowing her eyes at me, she pursed her lips at me before speaking. “If what you’re saying is true, why isn’t Mina here herself?”
“Honestly, she doesn’t know I’m here. I think she’s convinced Jude murdered her mother and never looked further than that.”
“You care for her.” I dropped my eyes as she added, “You’re keeping secrets from her and they’re going to get someone killed.”
“That’s what I’m worried about. Her powers are growing…”
“What powers? Thomas powers are unique.”
“I think they’re weather related. When she’s angry or scared is when I notice it most, like a storm cloud following her. But the blackouts come after she’s shifted.”
“AMY! Get me the book.” She looked at me and warned, “If what you speak is truth, I may agree with you, but be careful. She needs to be brought here so we can work with her before someone is seriously hurt. Her powers are fighting for control with each other. She needs help.” Amy returned to the room and handed Jillian a book as she shoved the cat off Jillian’s lap who then moved to sit next to me. “I’ll need Mina, or something of hers to confirm she’s who you think she is.”
“I don’t know that she’ll agree to that.”
“You find a way. A drop of blood, strand of hair, either will let me identify if she’s part of my bloodline. We need to start there.”
She opened the book and began talking to me and showing me things that enlightened and scared me. The power that Mina seemed to have was one that skipped generations and only resided in the women. It was even rarer for Mina to have it since she was technically a half-breed. Then Jillian showed me news clippings from some horrific storms that had obliterated small towns in the Midwest. She informed me that they were caused by women with similar powers who’d never learned to control them.
She confirmed that they hadn’t seen Jude since the night Mora was murdered. “My boy is gone, has been since that night, but I didn’t feel his loss until a few months ago. I would know if he was still alive. Do you know when these blackouts started with her?”
“A few months ago, I think. After my uncle Scott died.”
Shaking her head, “This doesn’t make any sense. IF Jude was her father he could’ve withheld her power to help teach her how to control it. Only a parent can do that, a living parent. But you said she didn’t start having the blackouts until recently.” She stood up and paced the room and began talking to herself. “Jude was always playing tricks on people.” She looked to me. “I need to do some of my own research.”
She pulled me to my feet and started walking me to the door. She knew something, but wasn’t revealing it. “Mrs. Thomas, if you know something…”
“If you notice it most when she’s angry or scared, she most certainly isn’t fully aware or she’s in denial. The blackouts are happening because she hasn’t learned to control it. When I find out more, I’ll be in touch.”
She handed me a piece of paper and I wrote my number down for her before she shoved me out the door. I stood there, the door nearly hitting my face and tried to process everything she’d told me. How was it in a couple hours I’d been able to find out more than Mina had in years of searching? She’d admitted to me that she’d never gone down the Thomas path because she was convinced Jude either murdered her mother, or had been murdered himself. She never suspected he could be her father.
I wasn’t even aware that I was driving to Mina’s until I pulled down her street. Her truck wasn’t in the drive so I risked it and pulled up in front of her house. I knocked on the front door and then walked around to the back. I was surprised to see a note addressed to ‘Red’ on the table.
Grabbing the letter, I put it in my pocket and left. Pulling down a dirt road close to home, I parked my uncle’s truck, which I’d commandeered as mine, and pulled out the note.
Dear Red,
I fear that your feelings for me are unwarranted. I don’t deserve your kindness. I’ve betrayed you, myself, and another. I made a mistake and I don’t know how to fix it. How I wish you’d shown yourself to me and maybe this could’ve been avoided.
I’ve been alone for so long, maybe I’m better off that way. I mishandled everything. Now I’m torn between the two of you. You both fill my dreams. I’m a mess and don’t know how to fix it.
I understand if you wash your hands of me. I’d probably do the same. All I’ve ever wanted is a pack of my own. I can’t deny the security I feel when you’re around. You know more about me than any other person and that scares me to death.
I hope you come back around, but I understand if you don’t.
Sincerely,
Mina
She was torturing herself that was for sure. I had to see her and confess. I couldn’t let her continue to beat herself up when the two people she was torn between were one in the same. I headed back into town and found her truck parked behind her shop. It was now or never.
I spent a lot of time in the shop and at home the days following my rendezvous with Rollo. I couldn’t be at home and not think of Red and when I went to the shop all I could envision was Rollo and I on the massage table. I dove into inventory reports and going over the books, reorganizing the shelves, and deep cleaning. Anything to try to keep my mind off of them both.
The bell rang and I looked up from where I was sitting at the counter and saw him stroll in. Why was he here? His eyes locked on mine before he checked to see if anyone else was in the shop. When he realized what I already knew, that we were alone, he marched over to me, only the counter separating us. I put on a brave face and smiled.
“Can I help you?”
“Is that how it’s going to be?” He stared at me and I couldn’t look him in the eyes. I was so conflicted. No one had ever affected me so. “I wanted to apologize.”
What? “What!?”
“Don’t seem so surprised, Mina. I didn’t mean for things to go down the way they did between us.”
“How did you plan for them to go down? I told you I was only willing to give you one night.”
“Dammit, Mina.” He turned around and began pacing the floor. “Is this really who you are? Was I that off base with you? Random hookups and one-night stands.”
I stared back at him as one song ended and another began. I couldn’t work without music playing, it was something I let distract me. Rescue My Heart by Liz Longley started playing as I tried finding words for Rollo. “Are you trying to tell me that you’re real
ly any different?”
Slamming his hands on the counter, he sneered at me. “Don’t judge a book by its cover, Mina. I am very different and I don’t just take anyone to my bed.”
“Well, you haven’t taken me to your bed either.”
“You think I let any hussy ride my face?”
Standing, I slammed my own hands on the counter. “I’m not a HUSSY!” Thunder cracked and I could feel the temperature change. I pinched the bridge of my nose before sitting back down on the stool.
“Mina, I didn’t come here to fight. I came here about this.” He motioned to the window and the sound of hail pelting the windows. “I can help.”
Shaking my head and feeling completely defeated, I revealed my fear. “You can’t help. No one can. I don’t know what’s going on with me.”
“What if I told you I knew someone who could help?”
Looking in his eyes, I confessed, “I’d tell you that I’m scared. Shifters are disappearing. How do I know you’re not the one responsible?”
“Shifters?”
Rolling my eyes, “Don’t pretend you don’t know. We both know what we are.”
He nodded, “I know. So, what’s your shifter form?”
I shook my head. “I don’t trust you that much. Not yet. Prove to me that I can trust you first.”
“Ok. I get that. Let me be your friend, Mina.”
Friend? Could I be just friends with Rollo? “You don’t want to be just my friend, Rollo.”
Grinning, he agreed. “True. But I can try.”
I wasn’t sure, but I knew I didn’t want to walk away from him completely either. I’d rather have him for a friend, than nothing at all. I stuck my hand out, “Friends.”
“Deal.”
“Now, you said you know someone who could help?”
“Yes, but you’re not going to be happy about it.” I narrowed my eyes at him and he continued on. “It’s Jillian Thomas.”