When she emerged from her bedroom, Colton waited, lounging against the kitchen counter. The heat darkening his gaze reminded her of his kiss, and she felt her entire body respond.
“Ready?” He fished his truck keys from his pocket.
“Sure.” Face burning, she brushed past him on the way out the door.
They made the short drive into town in silence.
As he pulled into a parking space, she turned to look at him. “You don’t have to stay.”
“I know.” He gave her a grim smile. “But I want to.”
Though she knew she shouldn’t ask, her tongue seemed to run away with her mouth. “Why?”
“Someone’s got to protect you.”
“I can protect myself.” Normally, this would be an absolute truth. Even though she couldn’t yet shift, she retained her above-average strength.
He shook his head. “Not yet, you can’t. Are you ready? I’ll walk you inside.”
Feeling oddly self-conscious, she nodded. “I’m not sure I like this,” she told him, as they headed for the entrance to the bar. “I’m not used to having someone try and protect me.”
Colton stopped dead in his tracks. “That bastard,” he swore. “He was your husband. If any man should ever take care of a woman, a husband should.”
She reached for the door handle before he could, yanking it open and heading into the noise without replying.
Again, the bar was packed, even by the time she arrived for her nine-to-close shift. A popular, local band warmed up in preparation for their set. Lifting her hand in a quick wave, Jewel headed for the kitchen. She’d barely punched in when Big Al approached her.
“Your section is gonna be twice as large as the one you worked last night,” he warned.
“The tips should be good.” Jewel nodded at Jolene as she edged past, balancing a heavy tray full of schooners of beer.
“Yep. As long as you work ’em.” Al wiggled his eyebrows.
“I plan to.” Jewel grinned back. She liked the big man.
“Then you’d better get a move on.” He clapped three times. “Chop, chop,” he said, winking at her before hurrying away.
Smile fading, Jewel tied on her change pouch, grabbed a pad and pencil and headed out into the crowded room.
Instinctively, she looked for Colton. There he was, in Jolene’s section, at his usual corner table near the back of the room.
“Honey, bring me some liquor!” one of her customers hollered. She hurried over to a boisterous table full of older men, scribbling down their orders as fast as she could.
With a crash of drums and echoing guitar, the band launched into their first song, a spirited rendition of an old Buddy Holly tune. The noise level grew past a roar and Jewel’s head began to ache.
Scurrying to keep her customers supplied with alcohol and food, she lost sight of Colton in the crush of orders and drinks and dodging an occasional attempt to pinch or squeeze.
Concluding their first song to cheers, the band began a second. They were loud, raucous and played classic rock on request. The tiny dance floor quickly filled.
Jewel sneezed from the smoke. And her nose wasn’t the only thing affected—her sensitive hearing would be sorely abused before the night was over. Even now, each beat of the drum reverberated inside her head.
Head down, she barreled for the kitchen—and right into a woman customer.
“I’m so sorry.” She had to shout to be heard. Raising her head, she realized the woman was Reba, dressed in a black leather miniskirt and teal silk halter top. She’d completed her daring outfit with huge teardrop earrings and enough eyeliner to make her look five years older.
“Hey!” Reba shouted. “This is a happening place.”
Readjusting her tray, Jewel jerked her head in a nod. “It is. What are you doing here? I didn’t know you liked this kind of thing.”
Reba didn’t smile. “We’ve got to talk.” Grabbing Jewel’s arm, she pulled her toward the ladies’ room.
“I’m working,” Jewel protested. “Can’t it wait until later?”
“Not hardly, hon.” Grim-faced, she steered Jewel down the hall.
Once they pushed through the door into the restroom, it felt as though they’d entered a sanctuary.
“Much better.” A hard look from Jewel had Reba dropping her hand. “I’m sorry to bother you here, but this couldn’t wait.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Colton, that’s what’s wrong.”
“Not this again.” This time, Jewel didn’t bother hiding her annoyance. “He’s helping me out. Doing me a favor. He’s asked for nothing in return. Get it?”
“You heard about his wife, right? You said he told you.”
“I know his daughter died of an overdose and his wife went to jail.” Glancing at her watch, Jewel shook her head. “Why? What does any of this have to do with me?”
“Because, now that I know who you are, I know you have to be careful.”
The words stopped Jewel cold. Had she finally located her enemy?
Not good. They were alone and Jewel wasn’t armed.
“What do you mean?” she asked carefully.
Reba reached to touch her, but drew back her arm at the last moment. “Honey, I read up on your story. Your husband, that Leo, he was a gangster and he abused you, didn’t he?”
“Ex-husband.” Jewel crossed her arms, refusing to lower her gaze. There was no point in denying what had become, to her shame, public knowledge. “Yes, he did. Why?”
Reba took a deep breath and swallowed. “Because Colton Reynolds could be the same type of man. I’ve recently heard that he abused his wife, too. And had an affair. That’s what drove her to try drugs.”
Unable to help herself, Jewel laughed. “That’s ridiculous.”
“I know it sounds unbelievable. But…did you know your ex was abusive when you married him?”
“Of course not.”
Pausing for a moment to let her point sink in, Reba swooped in for the kill. “I know you’re only staying with him because he offered and you have no place else to go, but I’ve got an extra bedroom. You’re welcome to stay with me.”
“I thought you were Colton’s friend.”
“I was—I am.” Reba swallowed. “But I’d like to think that I’m your friend, too. Right now, I’m going on hearsay and trying to give him the benefit of the doubt, but if he ever hurt you…”
Jewel stared at the other woman, resisting the urge to rub her temples. The awful pounding in her head made thinking difficult. Nothing Reba said seemed real. Outside the ladies’ room, there were customers waiting and tips to be made. That was her reality right now.
“Jewel?” Reba asked. “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine. Look, I appreciate your concern and all, but Colton’s been nothing but kind to me. Since I have no plans to enter into a relationship with him, I don’t think I have anything to worry about.”
“Think about it, okay?”
“I will,” Jewel said, snatching her tray off the counter. No way could she think about this right now. “Seriously, I’ve got to get back to work.”
The five minutes she’d spent in the bathroom meant two of her tables had nearly run out of beer, three food orders had come up, and Big Al was waiting in the kitchen, scowling.
“What happened to you?”
She rolled her eyes. “Woman’s crisis in the ladies’ room.”
Loading three burger specials onto her tray, he snorted. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” She lifted the tray and headed back to the crowded main room. “I’ll come back for the others in a sec.”
Over the next several hours, Jewel gained a new appreciation for the waitstaff of the world. She’d never worked so hard in her life. Her feet ached, her back hurt and the ever-present headache threatened to burst her skull. Her one consolation, besides the free-flowing tips, was the fact that her wolf stayed docile inside her.
With an hour to go before la
st call, and several of her tables empty, Jewel finally got to take a breather. The band had gone on break and the noise level was a hum rather than a roar.
Scouting the room, she spotted Colton at the back table, alone. The two guys he’d eaten burgers with earlier had long since gone. She grabbed one of the empty chairs and sat, wincing as her back twinged.
“Long night?”
She nodded. “Yes. And it’s not over yet.” Jingling her pockets, she gave him a tired smile. “Though I think I did really well in tips.”
“Jewel, come here.” Big Al appeared in the kitchen doorway. “There’s been a mix-up on an order.”
Pushing herself off the chair, she sighed. “Back to work I go. I’ll see you later.”
“I’ll be here.”
She got the food order straightened out, brought coffee to a few of her tables, and chatted briefly with the band’s lead singer as he was about to climb back onstage.
When he asked for her phone number, she shook her head. “I’m sorry, I’m with him.” And she pointed at Colton.
As she did, there was a huge crash, a booming sound that reverberated and shook the entire building. The next instant, a car came smashing through the side wall. Tables were upended as people leaped out of the way. Brick and wood collapsed and the wall came down in a shower of debris.
Exactly where Colton had been sitting.
Chapter 9
Using every ounce of her substantial strength, Jewel pawed through bricks and lumber, tossing them to the side.
“Help me,” she called to one man, but he wandered off in shock, stumbling toward fresh air and safety.
“Ma’am, you’ve got to come outside.”
Not comprehending, she looked up. A man in a yellow firefighter uniform reached for her arm to help her up.
She bared her teeth in a wolf’s snarl.
“I need some help with this one,” the fireman called, not taking his gaze from her.
“You don’t understand. I think someone’s buried under here.” Resuming her digging, she glanced back up. “Please, please help me. We’ve got to get him out.”
Dragging a soot-blackened hand across his mouth, he shook his head. “If anyone’s under there, it’s doubtful he’s alive.”
With all the fierceness of a she-wolf protecting her mate, she glared him down. “You don’t know that. You can’t know for certain until we find him. Last time I heard, you have a duty to save lives. Either help me, or get out of my way.”
After another second of hesitation, he began pulling at the rubble with her. Soon, two more firefighters joined them.
“There he is,” she cried. “I’ve found his leg.”
Not caring who saw, she continued using every bit of her extra strength, tossing bricks and boards and pieces of shingles. A moment later, they had his torso freed, then his arms, and lastly, his head.
“Is he…”
Gently, the first firefighter pushed her aside. “This is my job, ma’am. I’m a trained paramedic. Let me check him.”
Keeping a grip on Colton’s hand, she moved aside. “He’s breathing.”
“Pulse is steady. I don’t see any blood, or any visible external injuries.”
“Maybe he was knocked unconscious by debris.”
They ignored her.
“We need a stretcher and an IV. This one’s going to Athens.”
The other two men sprinted off.
“Athens?” Jewel continued to massage Colton’s tanned fingers. “To the hospital there?”
“Exactly.” The firefighter met her gaze. “Now, if you want to help your friend, you need to stay out of our way, understand?”
She nodded, releasing Colton’s hand.
“His vitals look good.” He winked at her. “I’m hoping it’s only a concussion, nothing really serious. But we won’t know until we have him thoroughly checked out, okay?”
She bit her lip. “I understand.”
The other two men returned with a stretcher. Gently, carefully, they loaded Colton on it and carried him away. Jewel followed.
“Wait.” A medic blocked her way. “Are you family?”
“No, I’m…” She bit her lip. “I’m a good friend.”
“Then you can’t ride in the ambulance. If you want to check on him, you can meet us at East Texas Medical Center, 2000 South Palestine.” Closing the double doors, he went around to the driver’s side, started the engine and sped off, lights flashing.
Dazed, Jewel turned left, then right, looking for someone, anyone she knew.
She found Big Al and the other employees outside, huddled around each other in the parking lot.
“All accounted for, now.” The big man enveloped her in a hug. “How’s Colton?”
She shivered. “I don’t know. They said his vitals were good, but they took him to Athens. I…have no way of getting there.”
“I’ll take you.” Jolene stepped forward, her lined face showing the strain. “As soon as we make sure all the customers got out, okay?”
Grateful, Jewel nodded. Glancing around the parking lot, she saw other clusters of people, standing in tense groups, talking and watching the drama unfold.
She wanted to help, but knew in the confusion and the crush of police officers and firefighters, the best thing they could all do was stay out of the way.
Colton. She had to get to Colton, to stay with him. A mate’s place was by his side.
Immediately, she shut down the random thought. Colton wasn’t her mate. They weren’t even lovers. They were good friends, nothing more.
“Are you all right?” Jolene touched her shoulder.
“I think so.”
“I hope no one was seriously hurt.”
“Or killed,” Big Al echoed.
They all watched while the paramedics tended to the injured.
Big Al fidgeted. Finally, unable to take it any longer, he grabbed the arm of a silver-haired officer. “Theodore? Any casualties?”
“Not that we know of.” The older man’s face looked grim. “We haven’t found anyone dead yet, but a hell of a lot of people are injured.” He strode off, responding to a call from inside.
Anniversary’s lone ambulance, already gone with Colton, wasn’t enough to handle all the people needing medical attention. Another ambulance was called in from Athens, one more from Carthage, and several private citizens volunteered their vehicles. As far as she could tell, none of the injuries, miraculously enough, appeared life-threatening, though Jewel was positive she’d seen several broken limbs.
“What about the driver of the car?” Jolene wondered out loud. “I wonder who it is, and how the hell he was going that fast in the parking lot to come clean through the building.”
The driver of the car…Jewel froze. Though she’d managed to avoid thinking about it, she had no choice but to connect the dots. She knew why the car had smashed into the building. None of this would have happened if she hadn’t been working there.
“I don’t recognize that Buick.” Al scratched his head. “Texas tags, but it must be from out of town. I’m thinking it was some tourist who had too much to drink.”
“See if they’ve found the driver,” Jewel urged. “Or I will.”
Something in her tone made Al look hard at her. “Are you sure you’re all right?”
“I’m sure. I just want to see who did this.”
“Yeah, me, too.” Without another word, he took off to talk with the police clustered in groups outside the unsafe and unstable building.
He returned a few minutes later. “They haven’t found the driver. No one was inside the vehicle. But that car was reported stolen in Houston two days ago.”
“Maybe the driver got out.” As if sensing Jewel’s unease, Jolene moved closer. “For all we know, he might be one of the hurt ones they transported to Athens.”
“Maybe.” But Jewel knew the driver would never be found. He’d probably rigged the gas pedal, and hadn’t even been in the Buick when it hit. The car had be
en meant to send another message. Though apparently he wasn’t ready to kill her yet, Leo wasn’t above hurting those she cared about to make her suffer.
Cared about? She drew a sharp breath, the truth slamming into her. She cared about Colton. A lot.
“Jewel?” Big Al stared at her. “You’re not about to faint or something, are you?”
Startled, she raised her face. “No. I’m just horrified, that’s all.”
He shifted his feet uneasily. “You were looking kind of…dangerous, or something.” He laughed without a trace of humor. “Like this car crash was personal, or you planned on a vendetta.”
If only he knew how accurate his statement was.
“Personal?” Her laugh matched his. “Colton was hurt.” She looked over her shoulder at Jolene. “I’d really like to go see him and make sure he’s okay.”
Al’s round face cleared. “That’s what you were thinking about. Colton. I guess I was being paranoid.”
She jerked her head in a nod, unable to tell him that actually, he’d been dead-on correct. This entire incident was personal. Leo’s people again.
“We’ll go in a minute, okay?” Jolene chewed her fingernail.
Jewel nodded. She scanned the crowd of gawkers the police were keeping contained behind yellow crime-scene tape. The hired killer could be any of them. She had no way of knowing.
Pushing through her dazed co-workers, she grabbed a uniformed officer’s sleeve. “Excuse me, please. Was the driver of the car—?”
“We’re still looking for him, ma’am.”
“What about under? Have you checked to see if anyone was pinned under the car?”
Compassion darkened his expression as he patted her arm. “We’re checking on that right now, miss. We’ve got people moving as much debris as they can. As long as the structure remains safe, we’ll continue looking.” He hurried away.
When Jewel would have followed him, Jolene grabbed her arm. “Come on, honey. I’ll take you into Athens now to check on your man.”
Cry of the Wolf (The Pack Book 5) Page 11