by Maia Starr
“Great! If you have any questions, just let me know, okay, sweetheart?” Without waiting for an answer, Robin disappeared into the front of the store.
When the can was full, Addison followed Robin back up front and began her work. Work. After the days she’d spent holed up in that motel, Addison welcomed anything that might satisfy her workaholic nature. Having tasks to complete comforted Addison in a way, despite how different tending flowers was from investigative journalism. At least working as a florist wouldn’t earn her monstrous enemies… well, she hoped it wouldn’t.
Addison smiled as she poured water over a pot of lilacs. The pale purple flowers were Lindsay’s favorite. As always, thoughts of her best friend and former boss back in Seattle saddened her, and Addison’s smile vanished. Lindsay had actually suggested years ago that Addison would work well as a florist. Granted, she’d only said that because, unlike Lindsay, Addison had managed to keep a house plant alive for longer than two days.
Frowning, Addison moved on to the next pot of flowers. How long would she keep Lindsay in the dark? A few weeks? Months? Years? Until this whole thing blew over? Would that ever happen? Would the Seattle police ever catch Maric Devoy? Or would he eventually give up on hunting her? Was it even possible that Addison could move back to Seattle someday? How could she build a life on Silverwood Island knowing it could come to an end at any moment?
Coming back to reality, she realized that no water flowed from the watering can as she tilted it over the carnations in front of her. How long had she been out of water? Embarrassed, she glanced over her shoulder and caught Robin staring at her in amusement. Addison thought her new boss might chew her out like Lindsay would have, but she just went back to leafing through the pages of a binder, whistling a tune to herself.
Addison sighed. Silverwood wasn’t like Seattle in the slightest; or, at least, the people weren’t. Robin, May, and even Flint acted nothing like the residents of Seattle. Addison was in a different world now, and while the people were friendly—and while Flint was like a delectable slice of cake she wanted to take her time savoring—something about their easy-going lifestyle didn’t quite click with her.
Once Addison had refilled the watering can and watered the few remaining plants in the shop, she walked back to the front counter, making a sweeping gesture to indicate to Robin that she had finished the job.
Robin beamed. “Wonderful! Why don’t you take your break now?”
Addison cocked her head in confusion. “But all I’ve done so far is water plants.”
“It’s no big deal, sweetheart. There’s nothing else to do at the moment. Please, go. Come back in thirty minutes or so.”
Deflating, Addison nodded and left Robin at the counter, late afternoon sunlight greeting her as she stepped outside. Addison shielded her eyes and walked around the corner of the building where a bench sat facing the forest. She plopped down on it and slid out her smartphone, opening it up to check her texts and calls.
Lindsay entered her mind again, and Addison wondered if now was a good time to call and give her friend an update. But what should she say? Should she tell Lindsay the truth?
Nervous butterflies flitted to life inside her. Her thumb hovered over Lindsay’s contact on her screen, trying to decide whether to make the call, and whether to be truthful with her best friend. The truth wouldn’t put Lindsay in any danger, would it? In fact, wasn’t Addison putting Lindsay in danger by not telling her the truth? There was always the possibility that Maric Devoy would go after her family and friends in his quest for revenge…
Addison groaned as she leaned back, locking the phone and sitting it down beside her on the bench. She stuffed her hands in her pockets and fingered the locket there before pulling it out and holding it up in front of her. It turned slowly on its chain, glinting in the sun. Right now, back in Seattle, there was a family wondering if they’d ever see the owner of this locket again. Addison had sworn she would return it to them; it was the least she could do for Maric Devoy’s victims.
But that had been before Addison had become his next target. She was now one of his victims rather than just someone trying to help them. No matter how peaceful Silverwood Island was, and no matter how much she worked in the florist’s shop or flirted with Flint, she wouldn’t be safe until the police put Maric in prison for his crimes. And neither would anyone around her.
With that thought, Addison shoved the locket back into her pocket, snatched up her phone, and called Lindsay before she could change her mind. At first, the line just rang and rang, and Addison began to think it might be a sign she shouldn’t tell Lindsay about the situation. If the call went to voicemail, she decided, then she would hang up, but just then, Lindsay picked up.
“Addie!” Lindsay greeted her. “Geez, I thought you’d never call. You ready to give me an update? How’s your fresh start going?”
“Hey, Lin. Sorry I haven’t called before now. But, I mean, it hasn’t been that long. Only a day—”
“Still! I can’t stop worrying about you. You took enough clothes, right? And you remembered your toothbrush? Oh, and you never told me where you even went! And what about a new job? I can help you look. Knowing you, you won’t be able to bear the boredom of unemployment for more than a day.”
Addison chuckled. “One question at a time, Lin… and, actually, I’ve already found a job. I’m working as a florist. Today is my first day. I’m on my break.”
“Are you serious?”
“As serious as ever.”
“Ooh, I told you being a florist would suit you! You’ve got all those plants around your apartment—”
“I had like one pot of violets, Lin.”
“—and then, you designed those arrangements for the Christmas party last year, and they got so many compliments. But anyway, how do you like it?”
“Well, all I’ve done is water plants so far. I was late today, so…”
Lindsay gasped. “You? Late? Okay, you’re just teasing me now.”
“I’m telling the truth. I was flirting with this guy, and I lost track of time—”
“Wait! Wait, wait, wait… who is this? There’s no way I’m talking to the right Addison. Late to work? Flirting? Are you kidding me?”
Laughing, Addison relaxed a little at Lindsay’s usual banter. “Yes, it’s a long story—”
“A long story? You only got there yesterday!”
“Yes, and I promise I’ll tell you that story later. But look, Lindsay… there’s something else I need to tell you.”
“Oh, fine. Lay it on me.”
Addison took a deep breath. “The reason I left Seattle… you remember that guy that nearly strangled me to death? The one from the bookstore? Maric Devoy.”
“Of course.”
“Well, he’s… he’s after me for revenge. I came home to find my apartment trashed and a note threatening me. I couldn’t stay in Seattle. So… I left. I came to Silverwood Island. It’s about four hours north of Seattle. But, yeah. That’s why I left.”
Lindsay said nothing for a moment, then let out a long breath. “So that’s what it was… I knew it had to have something to do with that whole situation, but I would never have guessed this. I thought you were just freaked out by it all and needed to get away. In any case, I figured you’d tell me when you were ready.”
“I’m sorry, Lin. I wanted to tell you, but I just couldn’t.” Tears stung her eyes, and she sniffled and swiped at her eyes with her free hand.
“Ah, Addie, it’s okay. Please don’t cry. I completely understand. I’m not mad that you didn’t tell me.”
Composing herself, Addison straightened her back and pressed her phone harder against her ear. “Thanks, Lin. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“I hate to bring this up, Addie, but you need to be careful. You probably know this already, but the police still don’t have any leads on Maric Devoy. And… there’s evidence he fled Seattle not long after you left.”
Fear poured over Addiso
n like icy water, and she found her gaze darting all around her. “Yeah, but there’s no way he could know where I am… right?”
“I hope you’re right. Ugh! I can’t believe this!” Lindsay said, her voice rising in anger. “I mean, you don’t deserve this, Addison. No one does.”
Addison glanced toward the other side of the street, watching pedestrians stroll by. There were only a few people out and about today, but Addison felt uneasy, searching the faces for signs of the man who’d threatened to hunt her down.
As she watched, a hulking man appeared in the doorway of the bakery across the street. He wore a dark trench coat and a baseball cap, half his face obscured by a ragged beard. Could that be Maric Devoy? Had he followed her here? How could he have found her? She froze in terror, but when she blinked, the man was gone. Had she been seeing things?
Although the afternoon was warm, Addison trembled.
“Addie? Addie!” Lindsay called to her. “You still there? Answer me!”
Addison took a deep breath before answering. “Yeah, I’m still here. Sorry, I thought I saw… no, never mind. What were you saying?”
“I was saying you need to tell me about your new boyfriend. I thought you might appreciate a topic change.”
The thought of Flint made Addison smile. “He’s not my boyfriend, Lindsay. He’s just a guy I met yesterday… and who I, ahem, slept with last night.”
Lindsay shrieked, making Addison pull the phone away from her ear slightly. “Give me all the details. Right. Now. I will not settle for anything less than full disclosure, and I won’t leave you alone until you tell me. If you try to hang up, I will call you again and again until you fill me in.”
Addison giggled. “Okay, okay. Calm down. I’ll tell you…” And so, Addison did, telling Lindsay all about her arrival on Silverwood Island, flirting with Flint at the bar, taking him back to her hotel room, and then talking with him today at the construction site for her new home.
Lindsay freaked out at every new detail and practically purred with delight at Addison’s description of him. “You know, I was feeling terrible about your situation, Addie, but now, I’m downright jealous!” Lindsay said. “Can I switch places with you?”
“If you want to get some training and become my bodyguard until they catch Maric Devoy, you can join me on Silverwood and find your own man,” Addison said. “But there’s no way I’d switch with you.”
“Ha! I’ll get right on that. But, seriously, can you describe him one more time? For posterity’s sake.”
Addison giggled again, but she obliged. “Flint is tall and handsome, and I swear, his body is chiseled like one of those ancient Roman statues. He’s tan, and he’s got a lean build, but his muscles… mmm. He’s got this golden-brown hair he wears swept back and these emerald eyes that just make me melt. But I think the most attractive thing about him is the way he makes me feel. He’s so intense. Sometimes it’s like there’s this wildness inside him waiting to get out. It’s… strangely hot.
She heard Lindsay clap her hands together as she giggled. “Oh, my goodness! Intense and wild… like an animal. I wish my last boyfriend had been like that. But that begs the question… how rough is he in the bedroom?”
“Lin!”
Lindsay laughed. “Oh, please, Addie. It’s not like we haven’t talked about it before. You can at least give me a few details. It’s not like I’m asking you to record your fun little sessions. I just want to hear the juicy stuff.”
Addison hesitated, blushing, but answered anyway. “Well, as I said, he was wild, and, yeah, like an animal, growling and digging his nails in when he gripped my hips. He just kind of radiated power and strength. It was a huge turn on, but it was also, like, an adrenaline rush. I felt like he was planning to devour me, like… like a wolf devours a rabbit.”
“Hmm… Forget florist. I think you should be a poet now.”
Addison laughed. “That’ll happen at about the same time you start your bodyguard career.”
She shifted in her seat and glanced across the street again, half-expecting to find Maric Devoy staring back at her. A few people wandered by, but no hulking figure that could be the man she feared. Addison turned back toward the forest, halting when she noticed a wolf emerging from the trees. It looked straight at her, and she tensed, considering getting up and bolting back into the shop, but the wolf just stood there, watching her.
“What about Flint? Does he know the reason you came to Silverwood Island? Does anyone there know the reason?” Lindsay asked.
The wolf sat down, keeping its yellow eyes locked on her, its tongue lolling as it panted. She glanced at the people walking by on the street just a dozen feet from wolf for their reactions, but few seemed to notice, and even fewer seemed to care. But those few didn’t seem concerned; they waved at the wolf, which was even weirder.
“No, and I don’t plan on telling him, or anyone. All they need to know is that I’m here for a fresh start,” Addison choked out, staring at the wolf.
The wolf stared back for a few moments longer, and then stood and padded away, vanishing into the forest as if it had never been there.
“Anyway, Lin, I probably need to go. I’ll keep you updated on everything.”
“Especially about Flint.”
Addison chuckled. “Including Flint.”
“Promise?”
“Yes, Lin, I promise. I won’t hide anything else from you. I’ll call back tomorrow, okay?”
“Sounds good!” Lindsay said, and Addison could practically hear the smile in her voice.
Addison hung up first, shoving her phone back into her pocket and rising from the bench. Glancing once more toward the spot where the wolf had sat, Addison speed-walked back to the front of the flower shop.
Robin looked up from her binder when Addison entered. “Back already? You still have ten minutes left of your break.”
“It’s okay,” Addison said. “I’m a bit of a workaholic. It’s hard for me just to sit and do nothing.”
“Well, if that’s the case, I just got some new plants in, and I need to transfer them to decorative pots so we can display and sell them. Would you like to learn how to do that?”
Addison smiled. “I’d love to.”
She followed Robin once again into the back storeroom. As she immersed herself in the work, she quickly forgot all about Maric Devoy and the strange wolf outside, and her mind turned to more pleasant thoughts of her date with Flint that evening.
Chapter Ten
A Den of Wolves
Ash jabbed at Flint’s neck, narrowly missing his mark as Flint side-stepped, locked his arms around Ash’s chest, and heaved him into the air. Ash yelped and thrashed around, elbowing Flint in the jaw, but Flint held firm. He arched his back and threw Ash to the ground, his younger brother wincing at the sharp pain before scrambling back to his feet.
Flint huffed, staring his brother down. He ran a hand across his forehead, wiping the sweat from his brow. “You have enough yet?”
Ash growled as he crouched, ready to pounce again.
Flint grinned. “I guess not. Is it fun getting a beating from me? Don’t tell me you’ve come to like it.”
Ash didn’t answer, instead lunging forward with outstretched arms. Standing his ground, Flint turned so the point of his shoulder smashed into Ash’s chest, vaulting Ash backward. On the ground, Ash coughed as he struggled to catch his breath.
“I will admit,” Flint said, cracking his neck. “Forcing you into submission every few days goes a long way to reducing my stress, little brother.”
Ash slammed the ground with his fist, but he smiled. “One day, I’ll beat you, and then I’ll become Alpha. Just you watch, Flint.”
Flint bellowed with laughter as Ash rose to his feet, dirt and wood chips sticking to his sweaty skin. The brothers walked toward each other, grabbing each other’s hands and shaking.
“Seriously, though, are you always wary of upstart shifters?” Ash asked.
Flint patted his brot
her on the shoulder and smiled. “Of course I am. My status as Alpha is always being challenged. That’s the struggle of leadership, Ash. Someone else always thinks they can do better.”
“Or, in this case, thinks they can at least find a mate?”
Flint grunted, his smile fading, and he turned toward the nearby stream to strip off his pants and underwear, the chill of the forest air enveloping him. The stream babbled along, and Flint watched the fish swimming along the current just under the surface.
“Well, I might not be one of the only single wolves left on Silverwood Island for long.”
Glancing over at his brother, Flint noted Ash following his lead, stripping down to bare skin, grime and dirt covering him head to toe. Flint glanced down at himself, grimacing at the filth covering his own body, and turned to wade into the water.
“Do you really think this Addison girl is the one for you?” Ash asked as he stood naked on the bank of the stream. He clapped his hands together and dove in, coming up a second later and shaking the water out of his eyes. “I mean, I realize that she might be pretty much the only woman left on the island without a partner, but it’s been less than two days. I’ve never known you to rush decisions.”
Flint dove under the water himself. When he emerged, he ran both hands through his hair to get the push it out of his eyes. His inner wolf stayed silent, strangely calm for the moment, but he knew it wouldn’t stay that way for long. The more time passed, the closer he came to his date with Addison.
“I can’t say for sure, but I do like her. She’s—”
“Young and gorgeous with a body to die for? Oh, and she has that shy, usually-too-busy-for-romance vibe going for her.” Ash shrugged as Flint leveled a look at him. “What can I say? I have a taste for the finer things in life.”
“Boy oh boy,” Flint said, cupping his hands together to lift some water to pour over his head. “I can’t wait to tell Callie you said that. I’m sure she’d love to know how you’ve been eyeing my potential mate.”