Honestly? I don’t know. I’m only trying to figure this out myself. She told him that she and his dad would be there in a couple of weeks to have a nice visit. I’d love that. We’ll cook out and have a nice day or two of it.
Okay, here is what she said she can find. The woman is not too far from you. Her name is, Carson thinks, Rachel Merkel. Adoptive parents are both deceased. A brother named Chad Merkel, who has a record for when he was younger, but nothing now. Married to a woman by the name of Sandra Smart Merkel, who is currently managing the restaurant ‘Merkel’s Mark.’ The restaurant is owned by Rachel and Chad, Carson said. Finn told her about the conversation he’d heard about her owning most of it. I’d say that. Rachel owns ninety-seven percent. I’m not sure of the other three, it doesn’t say here. Oh, wait. Her brother owns it—Chad Merkel. Just his name too. Not the wife, for some reason. Also, this is very strange. The restaurant is losing money hand over fist. I wonder what is going on there. It’s been losing money for a few months now. But a great deal of it in the last eight weeks.
I don’t think she’s aware of that. At least that’s nothing she brought up with her brother. Mom told him she didn’t think she was aware of it either. What else can you tell me? Like, how close are we talking? I need…. I have no idea why, but I have this very strong urge to go and see if she’s all right.
Let me see. She was adopted by the Merkels when she was an infant. It was done through legal channels. She’s smart. Invests well. Owns her own home. A nice one she paid very little for, as you told me. Rachel has been working on it over the years since she purchased it, and it’s worth a great deal more than she paid for it. Carson is looking for a picture of her now. Finn told his mom he didn’t want to see it. Why not? Don’t you want to see if she stirs up anything in you?
I don’t. I have no idea why, but I actually feel a little guilty about the information you’ve given me so far. Mom said he was a good boy. Thanks, Mom. But it’s doubtful she’d feel that way if she figured out I was sort of spying on her.
Here is the address. It wasn’t far from where he was, less than ten miles. Also, this is something else you should be aware of. She’s not human. Her parents knew when she was adopted, but it doesn’t look as if she was ever tested as to what she could be.
When I overheard her conversation with Chad, she did say she was healing nicely. I didn’t put it together with her ability to heal quickly. But it makes sense now that I put it in the context. Mom told him there was more. I have enough to check on her now. And to know she’s not going to freak out if I am her mate. Or maybe she’s the freak out kind of person. I’ll let you know what I find out.
After making sure the building was secure, and his brothers knew where he was headed, Finn made his way to his car. He wasn’t going to barge into her life right now, but he really did want to make sure she was all right. He’d fallen. There was no telling what that might have done to her if they really were connected somehow.
The neighborhood was one of those places having a resurgence of homes. Of the ten or so on the street Rachel lived on, it looked as if nine of them were currently being worked on. The address he had for Rachel put her in the mid-section of the street, and her home was the best looking on the block. Finn also thought it was what had inspired the other people on the street to get their homes in better shape.
Sitting in his car, Finn looked up at the house. Watching as the mailman walked to the house, ringing the doorbell, he was surprised when no one answered his call. Getting out just as the man left the package on the step, he saw her car was there, and the garage door was still open. Going to the back yard so no one would be suspicious of him, he sat down on the patio deck chair and tried reaching into the house and to Rachel.
“Hello? Rachel?” He could feel her pain and worried about it for a moment. Rachel, honey, are you all right?
Who’s there? Finn was so relieved to hear from her he had to sit there for a moment to let himself absorb how wonderful he felt. Who the fuck is this? Why are you in my house?
My name is Finn. I’m not in your home but on your back patio. I guess technically I’m in your home, but I was worried about you. He felt her dealing with her pain. I think we’re connected somehow. You were hurt when I was. I came here to make sure you’re all right.
Why the fuck would you think—? My fucking head feels like it’s going to come off my shoulders. If you really are out on my deck, come in through the garage. I think it’s still open, and I’m in the hallway towards the front of the house. Fuck, my head is killing me. He did what she told him, concerned with how she’d allow him, a stranger, to come into her home. I’m sick.
Running now, he picked her up in his arms, asking for directions to the bathroom. Getting her in there was no easy feat, as she was really sick, and the room was tiny. After sitting her on the floor, making sure she was all right, he stepped into the hallway and stripped down and used his magic to redress without her seeing him. She’d already been sick on him, and he didn’t want her to feel bad because of it. Finn could hear her emptying her belly over and over until she just laid on the floor in front of the commode.
She turned enough to look at him with one eye but stayed on the floor where he’d put her. Sitting on the floor outside the door so she could see him better, he asked her if she was all right.
“I have no idea. I’ve never had a headache like this before. What did you do to me?” Finn explained to her as best he could about what he’d done and how he’d felt her. “For now, I guess I’ll let that go. But it’s so full of holes I could literally see you through it.”
“I understand. Do you need anything? You didn’t sound as if you had that much on your stomach.” Rachel told him about the pizza she’d thrown away, but nothing more. “You should eat a little something. I’m not sure how it worked out, but I’m thinking you have a concussion. From when I fell.”
“That makes no sense at all. You understand that, don’t you?” Finn told her he knew. “How did you find me? I’m assuming you saw something that led you here. What was it?”
“Not so much what I saw, which was very little, but what I heard. You and your brother had an argument. You kicked him out over what his wife believes about you.” Rachel sat up but didn’t move out of the bathroom. “I haven’t any idea what has happened to make it so I can hear the things you say. I don’t suppose you could hear anything I was saying?”
“You were working to free someone. I only just realized it wasn’t thoughts in my head. Dover. Someone was there named Dover, and he was giving you a hard time because you broke a rock.” She looked at him. “This seems weird and out there, but I think you’re a dragon.” Finn told her he was. “Okay. I don’t know where to go with that. You’re really a dragon?”
“I am. A red dragon. Very rare. Would you like to see him?” She assured him now was not the time. “I suppose you’re right. This hallway would be sorely damaged if I had to shift right now.”
She eyed him, and he had to laugh. “I suppose you think just because I allowed you into my house to save me from cleaning up puke that we’re the best of buds, don’t you?” He told her he only wanted to make sure she was all right. “Sure. And now that I have puke breath, you’d just as soon leave me here rather than raping and pillaging me.”
Finn couldn’t help it, he laughed again. “I’m not sure how one goes about pillaging a woman, but I suppose it could be done. However, I want you to know that number one, I can’t lie to you. I promise you, Rachel, I’m here only to make sure you’re all right.”
“Wait. What you said right there means something. It means— I’m not entirely sure, but I’ve heard it before. Something about shifters not— Christ, you don’t think I’m going to be related to you, do you?” Finn wouldn’t have lied to her anyway, but he honestly told her he had no idea if they were mates or not. “That’s it. Mates. You so don’t want to be my mate, Mr.... I’ve forgot
ten your name.”
“Finn. Manning is my last name. Why wouldn’t I want to be your mate? Other than the puke breath, of course.” When she growled at him, Finn laughed again. “You’re adorable. I want you to know that right away, in a sort of mean streak kind of way. How are you feeling? I want to make sure you have something to eat before you show me my walking papers.”
“I’m capable of fixing myself something to eat if I want it.” Finn nodded, then stood up. “Where are you going? Why are you being so nice right now? Agreeable and shit like that?”
“As you said, you’re all right, and you can cook yourself something to eat. I was thinking I’d like to take you to dinner. A nice steak meal with all the trimmings sounds good to me. However, I can understand, with a headache, you might not want to go out.” Her belly growled, and he heard it. Choosing to ignore it, for now, he leaned against the wall in front of the little room. “The only way I can tell if you’re my mate is to smell you. As you might have guessed or might know, I can’t do that with all the other scents in the room. Being agreeable? I like to think I can be when I’m not pushed into a corner. Some people, even knowing I’m a dragon, think I can be pushed and pushed. But they soon learn I’m a good deal smarter and stronger than most. What are you?”
“A woman. I know what you’re asking me, and I’m not trying to push you into anything, but that’s all I know about myself. I was adopted into this family.” Finn told her he knew that. “How did you figure out I’m not wholly human?”
“In one of the conversations you were having, someone asked you how you were doing, and you told them the wounds from the glass were healing. My mom, who is a wonderful woman, pointed it out to me. My aunt works for the government, and that’s how I figured out where it is you live.”
“This is all very strange, you know.” He agreed with her. When she stood up too, he didn’t back from her when she came into the hall with him. “You’re very tall, aren’t you? I mean, there aren’t too many people taller than I am.”
“I would guess not.” Finn inhaled, trying his best not to let her see he was working to get her scent. When she grinned at him, he didn’t know what to think. “I don’t know what you think is funny, but you’re my mate, Rachel.”
“I figured it out as well. I’m not sure how I did other than smelling you. You smell homey and comforting. Like something I need near me, or I’ll die. Is that about right?” Finn nodded. “I would like to have dinner with you. But no funny stuff. My head doesn’t hurt as bad as it did, but it’s still a little fuzzy.”
“I’d love that. Would you feel more comfortable having dinner with me and my brothers, or just you and me?” Rachel told him just him this time. “Works for me. If you want to get ready, or just wear what you have on, I’m ready anytime you are.”
“I have to change and brush my teeth.” Neither of them moved. “How many brothers do you have, Finn Manning? I have just the one.”
“Five of them. And five uncles and my dad are married to wives that are kick ass. They scare even them. May I kiss you, Rachel?” She shook her head and said she still had puke breath. “Oh. All right. Later then.”
When she left him there to race up the stairs, he slid down the wall and let out a long breath. Holy fuck balls, he’d found his mate. And she was going to be eaten alive by his mom and the aunts. Damn, but he wished right now he’d been born an only child with no one to take her to meet. Then he grinned. Well, perhaps they’d be nice to her the first time they met her. A man could hope, couldn’t he?
~~~
Her cell phone was ringing when she got to the bottom of the stairs—Rachel hadn’t taken it up with her to change and to brush her teeth. She was happy Finn hadn’t answered it, but he was holding it out to her when she stood in front of him. The picture was of Sandra, and she wasn’t sure if she should answer it. Rachel was in too good of a mood to have her sister-in-law ruin it.
“I’ll be right here if you need me. I know a little more than you do about the restaurant. As I said, my aunts and mom work for the government.”
Rachel asked him if Sandra was stealing money. With his nod, she answered the phone.
“What do you want, Sandra? I’m in no mood to put up with your bullshit right now. I have a date, and we’re going to have some fun.” Putting the phone on speaker, she didn’t care at all if Finn heard what Sandra told her. Rachel wanted to talk to her about the money she’d been missing anyway. Sandra told her they were going to hash this out. “No. As I said, I’m just on my way out.”
“All right. I’ll be blunt with you. I don’t want you to come back to work. Ever. I’ve spoken to my husband, and we’ve decided that we’re going to sue you for the estate. He should have had it all in the first place. I’m not even sure why you were entitled to any of it.” Rachel looked up at Finn, who picked her up and took her to the living room. After putting her on the couch, he sat across from her in the chair. “Did you hear me?”
“I did. I’m trying to think why you are telling me this and not my brother.” Sandra said that he wasn’t her brother. “Ah, but he is. I have all the paperwork that says we’re related. His parents adopted me—”
“I don’t care what you think you might have. I’m sick of you getting the better end of the estate. Not to mention everything else that shouldn’t be yours in the first place. I should have had it.” Rachel asked her if she meant Chad should have had it. “Whatever. We’re a unit, he and I. And you should just give up now on trying to keep us from doing this.”
“Where is Chad?” Sandra asked her why would she care where he was. “Because he’s my brother. How many times do I have to repeat myself before you realize that we’re related and that the will has been finalized? Chad knows why he didn’t get his full estate. You should talk to him. After I get to.”
“I told him I never wanted him to talk to you again. And because he loves me, he’s decided I’m the smarter of the two of us.” When the doorbell rang, Finn got up to get it. Whoever it was, they were shitting on her day, and she didn’t like it. Finn entered the room with Chad just as Sandra was speaking again. “Chad and I have agreed that you’re worthless and that you have no rights to anything his parents left you. It’s a shame they didn’t see you as we have since they’ve passed away.”
“And how do you figure I’m not entitled to anything they left me? You and Chad had only been married for what—a month when they passed away?” Chad put his finger to his lips, showing, she supposed, for her not to tell Sandra he was there. “Why don’t you explain to me the conversation you and Chad had about me being sued by the two of you for everything my parents left me?”
“Like I’m going to tell you what we’re going to say at the hearing. You should just give it up now, Rachel. There is no way in hell you’re going to win against a biological child of the people that took you in, for pity sake.” Rachel looked at her brother and noticed he was upset. Well, he’d better not be pissy with her. “Rachel, are you fucking listening to me?”
“Yes, as a matter of fact, I am. Before we get to whatever you want and your suing me, I’d like to ask you where the money is going from the receipts at Merkel’s.” Sandra’s silence was very telling to her. “I’ve been going over the books once you leave for the day. Several hundred thousand dollars are missing from the last four—”
“You stay the fuck out of my office. Wait until I tell Chad you’re fucking with the deposits. He’ll finally see you for what you truly are.” She laughed, maniacal and sounding desperate too. “So what if there is money missing from the deposits? It’s not like it’s yours anyway. It should have been ours all along. You can just think of it as me making sure I have what should have come to me in the first place.”
“That’s the second time you’ve said ‘I’ when talking about what Chad should be getting. It sounds to me like this entire thing—suing me, taking the money, and cooking up the books—is more
about you than the two of you. What do you have to say about that?” Sandra said nothing. “Now, I have to ask you if you’re listening to me.”
“I deserve a great deal for marrying that sap. Christ, he can’t even satisfy me in bed enough that I don’t have to go and find someone else to help me through sex. Do you have any idea what sort of idiotic things he says about you? It’s almost as if he loves you more than he does me.” Rachel watched Chad. She had a moment where she thought he already knew what his wife thought of him. “Once I take care of you, I’m going to do the same to him. I should have wondered why I never had to sign a prenup with the idiot. There wasn’t going to be anything for us to inherit when his parents died.”
“Chad should hear you now, Sandra. I think he’d be surprised at what a vicious bitch you are.” Sandra laughed and said that he was aware of it now. “Are you telling me that you only married him because you thought there was going to be money? That’s not right. In fact, that’s just terrible.”
“Oh, grow up, you moron. Everyone does it. I bet even when you marry, the man stupid enough to align himself with you is going to be broke as fuck and want everything you have. Won’t he be surprised to find out that I’m going to take it all from you, and you’ll have jack shit.” Looking at Finn, she laughed when he mouthed that he had more than enough money for both of them if that happened. “What do you find so fucking funny now, you cunt? Christ, I hate you. I have loathed you since the first time I laid eyes on you and found out you were related to that sap I was planning to take to the cleaners.”
Finn ran his finger over his throat, and Rachel decided she liked the idea of hanging up on Sandra. Closing the connection, he handed her his cell phone. When she asked him what it was for, Finn fiddled with it for a few seconds, and the room exploded with the sounds of Sandra talking. The sounds sent peels of laughter not only from her but Chad as well.
Finn: Xavier’s Hatchlings ― Paranormal Dragon Shifter Romance (Xavier's Hatchlings Book 1) Page 5