Renee's Mates

by Shelley Munro

  Work-mode.

  The best place for her, and her place of comfort.

  “Hey, Janet.” Renee greeted the receptionist.

  “Ah, Renee. I have a private charter for you first off. Two hours. They want to see the sights and as many polar bears as you can find.”

  “Sounds good. Let me know when they arrive and you’ve completed the safety talk. I’ll do my pre-flight checks.”

  Janet escorted two men toward her helicopter ten minutes later.

  “Hi.” Renee offered her hand to each man. “I’ll be your pilot on the flight today. Would one of you like to sit in the front with me?”

  The two men exchanged a glance. In their thirties, they wore jeans, boots and leather jackets. Their gazes were assessing. Not that she could see much of their faces with those bushy black beards. Her spidey senses tingled, but she didn’t recognize either man.

  No, she was imagining things.

  The Taktuq brothers had her instincts tipped upside down. Some passengers disliked a female pilot. Something that just was even if she hated the fact.

  “No, we’ll both sit in the back.”

  “No problem.” Renee forced a pleasant expression and opened the rear doors to her bird. Neither carried bags or bulky coats requiring storage in the fuselage hold, so she remained silent.

  The first man clambered inside. Renee indicated the seatbelt and the headphones, and once he settled and clicked the belt into position, she closed the door.

  “If you’ll follow me,” she said to the second passenger. “Where are you from?”

  “Texas,” the man told her, his gravelly accent not fitting his reply.

  Those spidey senses jumped to the fore again.

  “Are you here to see the polar bears?”

  “Yes.”

  She nodded. If he didn’t wish to talk, she could deal with that. She’d give them the requested tour and move on. Renee opened the door on the other side and waited for the man to seat himself. Once her passenger buckled in, she shut the door and trotted to the front. Within minutes, she spoke to the office for clearance.

  Renee pressed the start switch and the motor burst into noisy life. The helicopter gave its normal starting sway, the back-and-forth shimmy giving way to the standard vibration. As always, her mind emptied of everything except her helicopter and the flight procedures as she lifted off and hovered. Her joy of flying centered her and let any worries seep away. Once her helicopter rose and cleared the heliport, she took a quick breath and stepped into tourist leader mode. “Hello there. Can you hear me?”

  She received a grunt and assumed both men could hear her via their headphones.

  “Today we’ll do a circle around the town of Churchill. Over to our left, you get a great view of Hudson Bay. The entire bay will ice over in a matter of weeks. If you have questions, just let me know, and I’ll do my best to answer them. We use the numbers of a clock to show the direction of any animals we spot. Okay?”

  “How long have you been flying helicopters?”

  Renee grimaced as she used her right hand on the cyclic stick to turn the helicopter toward the tundra. “Since I turned seventeen. Below us, you’ll notice a plane wreck. The plane’s owners overloaded the cargo hold and the plane crashed shortly after takeoff. Luckily no one was injured. The locals affectionately call the plane Miss. Piggy.”

  “How long have you been working here?”

  What the devil was up with these two guys? Most of the tourists she flew were all about the polar bears. These two seemed more interested in her flying qualifications. Unless they were here for other reasons. Her. Just then, she spotted a lone white spot. Saved by the bear.

  “If you look to your left at eight o’clock, you’ll see a single polar bear curled up near the lake.”

  No comment came from the rear. No camera sounds.

  Weird. Totally weird.

  Unease slid through her gut, and the hair at her nape stirred. The sooner this flight ended, the better for her nerves and sanity because this didn’t feel right.

  To Renee’s relief, she spotted lots of polar bears on the ground. She even spied a wolf, not that her passengers seemed impressed. Renee breathed out a sigh when the end of the two-hour tour neared, and she could turn her bird back to base.

  Once she’d contacted base and landed, she jumped out of the copter and strode to the rear to open the doors and let out her passengers. Each of the men climbed out and walked away without a word of thanks.

  Renee frowned after them, ill at ease because of their unsociable behavior. She mentally flicked through her contacts on the outside. With Hunter gone, there weren’t many she trusted. Maybe it was her imagination, and she was worrying over nothing. Yeah. She watched the men disappear into the main building.

  They hadn’t given off the soldier vibe although it had been difficult to discern their builds beneath those jackets.

  A sliver of fear stalked down her spine. No, if they’d meant her harm they would’ve acted during the flight while she was alone with them. Unless they were gathering intel…

  Mind busy with what ifs, she took her time going through her checks and preparations for the next flight, giving the two passengers plenty of time to leave before she entered the office.

  “What’s next, Janet?”

  “A family group for a tour,” she said.

  “My last two passengers were peculiar. They didn’t seem interested in the polar bears. All they wanted to know was how long I’d been flying.”

  “Funny you mention that,” Janet said. “They asked me about your flying experience. I told them our pilots are qualified and had years of on-the-job training.”

  The two men still weighed on Renee’s mind when she entered the dorm room at the end of her workday. Someone had taped a note on her room door. She ripped open the envelope and smiled.

  Hey, sexy Renee,

  I’ll pick you up for dinner a little earlier at seven. Looking forward to seeing you.

  Matto

  Renee glanced at her watch and decided there was time to check her email account. Only one other person had the address. Renee needed to know if there were any changes in the ongoing case. They hadn’t caught Hunter’s murderer or deemed his death connected with the killing she and Hunter had witnessed. Yet every one of her instincts screamed only an idiot would believe the two events unlinked.

  Even though her inbox was empty, Renee sent a query to her contact Susan—the detective in charge of the case. It was Susan who’d suggested a move elsewhere—just in case. Renee had met a guy who’d worked a season flying choppers in Churchill. Her fascination with the place increased tenfold once she discovered the restricted entry to the town. Now that the train was out of commission, a flight in from Winnipeg or Thompson were the only options. Tourists filled most of the spots on the planes, and it was necessary to book in advance. Weather became a factor too, restricting inward and outward flights and the small town looked after its own. Strangers stood out, especially those who didn’t fit the tourist mold.

  She opened the compose screen and hesitated. What should she write? That she had two weird passengers who’d given her the willies as her mother used to say. She ended up shutting down her email without sending a thing.

  A glance at her watch made her yelp. She needed to hustle. Tonight, she wanted to look her best, and that meant makeup.

  A knock on her bedroom door came at precisely seven. Renee gave her eyelashes a final stroke of mascara and checked the result. Not bad. Tonight, she’d gone for a dress. Her one red dress that made the most of her slight curves. She’d already pulled on her jacket, and she picked up her one purse and strode to the door, wobbling a little in her dressy black boots.

  Even though she suspected Matto had arrived, she opened the door with caution.

  Matto stood waiting. So handsome in his black pants, his pale blue shirt and his black hair tied back to reveal his chiseled features. A smile crawled across his face, and his brown gaze brightene
d in masculine approval. “Hey, sexy lady.”

  Renee’s stomach did a slow churn and heat converged in her cheeks. She shouldn’t have gone to so much trouble. She should’ve dressed in smart-casual—her black pants and a nice blouse.

  “You look beautiful.”

  Some of her anxiety dispersed at his sincere compliment.

  “Are you ready?”

  “Yes.” She picked up her keys and locked her door before following Matto down the corridor to the front door.

  He opened the door of a red SUV for her, and once she settled in the front seat, he rounded the vehicle.

  “Did you have a good day?” he asked.

  Matto charmed her with his easy smile and interest.

  “All my flights today were groups of tourists. The family group was the most fun—a mother and father and three kids. The kids were so excited to see bears. In contrast, I had two strange men who were more worried about a woman flying them than the view outside my helicopter.” At least she hoped that was their problem.

  “Do you get many passengers like that?”

  “A few. I guess life would bore us if we were all the same.”

  Matto laughed. “That is true.”

  “Where are we having dinner?”

  “Are you hungry?”

  “Yes. H—my friend used to tease me about having hollow legs.” Renee cursed herself for getting too comfortable. She couldn’t mention Hunter. It was too dangerous. She hadn’t needed Susan to remind her to keep her past close to her chest.

  “Oh? And was this friend jealous of your slender build?”

  Renee snorted before she could censor her reaction. “No, he was just giving me a hard time.”

  “A boyfriend?”

  “No, an old friend from the army. Married and crazy in love with his wife.” Renee paused, huffed a breath and went for honesty without giving details. “I found it best not to step beyond the bounds of friendship with my army pals. I valued my reputation, and they gossiped worse than any small-town biddies.”

  Matto pulled up in front of the Tundra Inn. “My brothers threatened to crash our dinner. It annoyed them I asked you out first, so I organized a private dinner in my room. I hope that’s okay?”

  “I… Yes.” Renee frowned, thinking about Kansas and Dakota Taktuq. And was it even safe dining alone with a man she didn’t truly know? “What’s stopping your brothers from interrupting our dinner here?”

  “First, they don’t know I booked another room, and second, I didn’t tell them.” He winked at her. “I’ve learned to be one or two steps ahead of the twins. It’s a survival technique.”

  Renee forced a smile as he exited the vehicle. She opened the door before he could do it for her. It must be nice to have brothers. She missed her army buddies. For their safety and hers, she maintained radio silence and stayed away from social media.

  “What have you ordered us for dinner?” Was she going to do this? Trust him?

  “You have a choice,” he said, taking her arm and leading her into the lobby of the inn. “Coast is clear. Let’s move before we get busted.” Matto propelled her along a passage and up a short flight of stairs. He produced a keycard and in seconds flat, he had the door closed behind them. “And my brothers think I’m not as crafty as them.”

  Renee laughed at his satisfied tone, although she still wondered at the sense in dining alone with him.

  “Let me help you with your coat. I realize dining alone like this could be a red flag for some women since we’ve just met. Do you want to ring a friend to let them know where you are and who you’re with?”

  She stared at him for an instant, then nodded and plucked her phone from her purse. After a brief mental debate, she rang Sax Hallsten and explained the situation to him. Although she ended the call with heated cheeks and Sax’s amusement ringing in her ears, her lingering trepidation faded. “Thank you. Not many men would think of that.”

  “No problem. I want you to enjoy our dinner because I’m hoping to repeat the experience.” Matto took her purse and set it aside. Her tummy fluttered at the skim of his hands as he removed her coat. Her breath caught on recognizing the alternative craving and uneasiness he induced in her. Sexual. She shifted her weight, aware of him and the fit of her clothes.

  “You… That dress.” Matto clasped her forearms and drew her nearer. He nuzzled her neck. “Lavender.”

  “Yes.”

  He pulled back a fraction. “Are you going to let me love you tonight?”

  Renee let out a startled laugh. “You don’t muck around.”

  “I find plain speaking is best,” he agreed. “You’re an attractive woman, Renee.”

  “Is that why you booked a room?”

  “I’d be a liar if I didn’t admit the thought occurred but you have the last say. If I’m mistaken about a mutual attraction, we’ll have dinner and I’ll take you home.”

  Renee’s skin prickled. Her nipples tightened against the cups of her best bra. It was obvious this man admired honesty. “I enjoy sex, but I don’t do serious.”

  Matto stared at her for a long moment, and she trembled, wondering if he actually saw right to the depths of her soul. It was a heady yet unnerving experience.

  Finally, he nodded. “I can work with that.”

  Renee wasn’t certain of his meaning, but before she queried him, he changed the subject.

  “We can have roast beef, steak or there is fish if you’d prefer.”

  “Roast beef,” she said.

  “And something to drink? I have champagne.”

  Renee wrinkled her nose. “Could I have a glass of red wine? Sorry, but champagne doesn’t do much for me.”

  Matto laughed in delight. “Most women of my acquaintance demand champagne and expect dinner at the best restaurant in the area. Anything else horrifies them.”

  “My stepfather always told me it was best to state my mind as much as possible. He told me men are simple creatures and seldom understand the subtle messages women send. It was his opinion that men appreciated honesty and direct information.”

  “Hmm,” Matto’s quiver of lips told her she’d amused him. “Did you like your stepfather?”

  “Immensely.” Renee’s heart squeezed with a wave of emotion and enduring memories. “I got my love of flying from my stepfather. He was wonderful, and he changed my mother’s life. We both loved him.”

  “Loved?”

  “He and my mother died in a vehicle accident when I was nineteen. I miss them both.”

  “That’s rough.” Matto picked up the phone and rang through an order for two roast beef dinners and a bottle of red wine. “What do you say to a bit of necking before dinner?”

  Renee spluttered out a laugh even as a roar of heat skimmed her body and landed at the juncture of her thighs. Maybe he’d even let her stay the entire night. A relaxed and nightmare free sleep sounded like heaven.

  * * * * *

  “Boss, I think we’ve found her.”

  A surge of satisfaction struck Jason Vega. At last. At long last.

  He’d had his men and contacts searching the States and only recently, he’d broadened the search to Canada. “Describe this woman,” he ordered.

  “We took a photo and can email it to you. The name is different. The hair is a different color and longer. The photo isn’t real clear because we didn’t want to spook her, but if you think it’s her, it won’t take long to learn where she is living. Churchill is a small town.”

  “Churchill. Never heard of the place,” Jason barked.

  “It’s the place with the polar bears. In Manitoba on the Hudson Bay. Canada.”

  Didn’t ring any bells with Jason. He reached for his tablet and did a search. Good grief. The place was in the middle of nowhere. “Isolated place. How the fuck did you know to look there?”

  “The trail went cold after she left California. We had a sighting at the airport, but we didn’t know where she was going. We’ve researched the flights and eliminated them one by
one. It took time.”

  “Send me the photo.” Jason tapped his fingers on the desktop while he waited for the photo to arrive. When it did, he clicked on the attachment and noticed the tremors of his hand. Cam had died because of this bitch and her friend, and he intended to get revenge for his son if it was the last act of his life.

  The photo wasn’t clear, and he couldn’t be sure.

  “I need another photo,” he said. “More information. What name is she going by?”

  “Renee James.”

  “Have you done a background check?”

  “A basic one. Nothing jumps out. It’s more a gut instinct that tells me she’s the one.”

  “I want to be certain,” Jason said. “The last thing I want is to draw attention.”

  “Understood. I’ll send you the information we have. Billy and I will try to get a better photo for you. We’ll have to keep our distance for a day or two. We’ll watch from afar, and we might need to call in a third party to get closer. Maybe Maggie. This woman is smart, and the last thing we want to do is scare her.”

  “There will be a bonus for you if you’re right.” Jason cut the connection and waited for another email to come through. His men knew what this meant to him. They’d been Cam’s friends, and they wanted the bitch as bad as him.

  A beep sounded, and he read through the email. Satisfaction filled him, along with certainty their search was ending.

  Revenge would be his.

  “Cam,” he murmured. “I’ll dance on her grave in celebration, and you can give her hell from the other side.”

  5 – Sexy Times With Matto

  “Let me take off this sexy dress,” Matto whispered.

  Renee turned her back to him and lifted her loose hair to allow him to reach her zipper. A shiver worked through her as he tugged the zipper down. She stepped from her dress.

  “Nice,” he murmured, his gaze hot as he skimmed her body. She’d discarded her boots earlier and now wore a pale pink bra and matching panties along with a pair of thigh-high stockings.