Storm Watch (Woodland Creek)

by Welsh, Hope

  When she hit the main road, she continued the way she’d been headed when she’d slid on the ice. She knew the town wasn’t the other way.

  A sudden roar of rage sounded and she pressed the brakes. Roar? Were there mountain lions in this area? Hell, she didn’t know. She knew that there should have been no way for Luke to have caught up with her. He’d have to either call someone, or shift. Did tigers run as fast as a car?

  She just didn’t know. She eased her foot off the brake, but kept her eyes peeled. He’d said there were other shifters in this area. She didn’t want to hit any of them—or anything else for that matter.

  With her eyes focused in front of her, she almost crashed when she heard the distinct whirl of a siren behind her. Her eyes flashed to the mirror and she groaned.

  It was another jeep—but this one had a light bar on the top.

  Was it one of Raymond’s guys? Should she stop or see if she could outrun the other vehicle.

  She could barely make out the driver in the other Jeep. It was a man, but that was all she was sure of.

  God, she’d been stupid to leave Luke’s so unprepared! She could kick herself.

  With a sigh, she slowed and stopped near the edge of the road. She was afraid of being stuck in a ditch if she went over too far. Her hands clenched into fists as she waited to see what the driver would do.

  Storm tensed as the tall man climbed from the Jeep. He looked to be in his mid-forties. Was this the friend that Luke had told her about? She couldn’t make out the writing on the side of the Jeep. It wasn’t at the right angle.

  With a sigh, she rolled down the window just a bit, but she didn’t turn off the Jeep. If she needed to run, she needed the few seconds head start. When the man was by the window, she forced a smile. “Is there a problem, officer?”

  “Well, ma’am. I’m just a tad curious,” the cop replied with a frown marring is features.

  Storm tilted her head. “I know I wasn’t speeding. What are you curious about?”

  “Please turn off the engine, ma’am, and hand me the keys,” he ordered.

  Storm’s heart raced. She didn’t know what to do. Why would he want the keys if he didn’t mean her harm. “Why?” she asked, her voice shaky.

  “Well, miss, I’m pretty sure that this Jeep belongs to Luke Steele. I don’t think he’d appreciate your stealing it,” he said. “So, how about you do as I asked?”

  Storm thought quickly. “He knows I have it. Give him a call.” She knew he couldn’t get cell reception in his house…she prayed he wasn’t close enough that he’d be near a cell tower.

  “Well, ma’am, it’s like this. It’s late. I spoke with Luke earlier. He told me about the woman he’d found on the side of the road. Now, I am not asking again. Please turn off the vehicle,” he ordered, his tone stern.

  Storm gave up. It was too risky to try and outrun him, and she assumed that he was the cop Luke had told her about. “Fine,” she muttered, and turned off the key. “Who are you?” she asked.

  “Chief Rickman, ma’am. I’m the head of the Woodland Creek police department.”

  She sighed again. Well, she’d have to hope Luke knew him as well as he thought he did. “So, what now?”

  “Well, now, I think we’ll take a ride on back to Luke’s place. Come on, then. You can ride with me.”

  “Am I under arrest?” she asked, panicked.

  “Until I talk to Luke? Let’s just say that I’ll be detaining you until I know just what is going on, shall we?” he replied.

  Storm heard a low growl again and groaned when her eyes caught a flash of fur behind the police chief. “Oh no.”

  Rickman turned his head. “That you, Luke?” he asked, chuckling. “The lady got your Jeep, I see.”

  Storm watched the tiger nod his head. Now, that wasn’t a sight you saw every day. Obviously, Rickman knew about shifters.

  “So, I was thinking I’d drive her back…but do you want her to ride back with you instead?” Rickman asked, as if he spoke with shifters every day.

  Again, Luke nodded, then walked slowly to the passenger side of the Jeep and let out a low growl.

  Storm sighed, and opened the door for him. There was nothing else she could do. She’d been outsmarted.

  “I know you’re angry,” she said when Rickman had closed the door.

  Luke narrowed those startling blue eyes and bared his teeth, which made Storm chuckle. She’d never imagined a tiger could show such emotion.

  “Okay, okay. We’re going back to your place, apparently.” She turned to Rickman, who now stood by her door. “Is that okay?”

  Rickman nodded and grinned. “Sure. I’ll follow you—just to be sure you don’t get lost on the way.”

  Storm rolled her eyes, then raised the window and turned on the Jeep. It had gotten cold fast.

  Within what seemed like only a few minutes, they were once more back at Luke’s house. She parked the Jeep near the door and walked around to open the door for Luke, just as Rickman pulled in behind her.

  Luke jumped down and went into the house, apparently sure that his friend wouldn’t let her drive off again. She heard the bedroom door slam and winced. “I think he’s a little irritated,” she said as they walked in behind him.

  “Yes, I’d imagine so, young lady. Where did you think you were going? Isn’t there a killer after you?” TJ asked.

  Storm sighed and ran her hand through her hair. “Yes. But, I thought if I was in a different vehicle, he wouldn’t know it.”

  TJ frowned. “Did you have your keys?”

  “Um, no,” she admitted. “They’re missing.”

  “Then it’s safe to assume that that man is around here somewhere. Don’t you imagine he would know what Luke is driving, since he hired him and all?”

  She hadn’t even thought of that! What if he was in town? “Can you get me away from here?”

  Rickman shook his head. “Only as far as town. And what would you do there? If you’re afraid, I could put you in protective custody.”

  Luke walked into the room—in human form. “Good idea. After all, she did try to steal my Jeep. Maybe in a cell, she’d at least be safe.”

  Storm paled and glared at him. “You’re going to press charges?”

  “Why shouldn’t I? This is the second time I’ve had to run you down. You’re obviously not going to listen to a word I say,” he snapped.

  Rickman stood off to the side, his hands on his waist, just listening. Storm looked to him for help. “Are you going to let him do that?”

  Rickman nodded. “He’s within his rights to press charges. The fact that you didn’t get far doesn’t negate the auto theft,” he said calmly.

  Storm backed up. “Luke! You can’t put me in jail!” Her heart was racing. If Raymond found her there, she’d be a sitting duck. She didn’t really think he’d keep the charges, but she wasn’t all too sure that he wouldn’t put her in the cell if he thought it was for the best. Her appreciation of his Alpha tendencies was waning fast.

  He just glared at her. “Can’t I? I can’t keep you safe if you don’t cooperate, Storm. I’ve told you that over and over again. Just an hour ago, you gave me your word you’d do as you were told until this mess is over. Now, I know that you’re not the only one to be concerned with! You have a baby to think about, too! What the fuck were you thinking to take off like that?”

  Storm was suddenly dizzy. Her ears were buzzing and it was getting difficult to hear—right before the world went black.

  Luke cursed himself for seven kinds of fool as he raced to catch Storm before she hit the floor. “Son of a bitch,” he swore.

  “What’s wrong with her?” TJ asked sharply.

  “Hell, I don’t think anything is wrong other than fear. Damn it, I shouldn’t have said that, but Lord, this woman can bring out the worst in me,” he muttered as he laid her on the couch. He touched her cheek. “I never thought a woman would make me feel like this.”

  “Like what?” TJ asked.


  “I’m in love with her, TJ. I’ve known her for what? Two days? But, I’m in love with her,” he said, frustration clear in his tone. “And all she can think to do is run.”

  “W—what happened?” Storm asked.

  “You fainted,” Luke said softly. “Guess the idea of jail didn’t sit well with you.”

  “Are you…?”

  He shook his head and kissed her gently. “No. But I should. At least I’d know you’d be safe. You can’t keep doing this, sweetheart.”

  “I don’t know what to do,” she whispered. “I’m afraid.”

  He helped her to sit up when she tried to rise. “I know you are, Storm. But, you have got to trust me.”

  Storm looked over at the police chief. “Why is he still here?”

  TJ chuckled. “Don’t worry. I’m not taking you to jail. But, I do need to know what’s going on with this Samuels. I haven’t been able to even find an inkling that he’s not exactly what he appears to be.”

  Luke looked over at the older man. “She’s telling the truth.”

  TJ shook his head and sighed. “I didn’t say she wasn’t, Luke. I trust your judgment. But, it is going to make it difficult to pursue this. If no one is watching him, or looking into him, I have nowhere to start. What was the name of the man that he killed, Storm?”

  “John. John Hendricks. He worked for Raymond,” she said. “And Raymond shot him in cold blood. Then, he put the gun in my hand and forced me to shoot him. I—I ran as soon as I could.”

  Luke sat next to her and hugged her. “Well, at least that gives us a starting point. We can see if the killing has been reported. I should have thought of it sooner.”

  “Hell, I should have asked you when we spoke before,” TJ said. “Let me make a call.”

  “There is no cell reception here in the house,” Luke said.

  “Damn, I’d forgotten that. Alright, I’ll call as soon as I get a signal. Do you two have a plan of action? We’re short on manpower what with this damn storm.”

  “My plan is to keep Storm safe,” Luke drawled. “Whatever it takes. The man is a killer—and he’s not getting his hands on Storm. I’ve got Mercedes keeping an eye out. I’ll check in with her if she doesn’t call.”

  Storm looked at him. “Do I have any say in this at all?”

  Both men looked at her, then, TJ shrugged. “What say do you want?” he asked.

  “Well,” she began. “I’d like to know how you plan on stopping him!”

  Luke turned and looked at her. “Whatever it takes. If he steps foot on this property, he’s a dead man. It’s as simple as that.”

  TJ frowned. “Don’t just shoot him, Luke! The justice system can work. Give it a chance.”

  Luke turned on TJ. “You’ve known me for years, TJ. Do you honestly believe I would kill someone in cold blood? But, that being said, he’ll get one chance to leave if he shows up. Then, all bets are off.”

  TJ sighed. “Yeah, I guess I can understand that. Does this guy have magic? Is he a shifter or wizard?”

  Luke tried to make eye contact with TJ to keep him from mentioning the possibility, but it was too late. Storm looked at him with wide eyes. “Is that possible?” she asked, her voice high.

  Luke didn’t groan, but he wanted to. “Thanks, TJ,” he muttered, then turned to Storm. “I don’t know if he has powers or not. But, I’m not ruling the possibility out.”

  “Then we need to go! We need to hide. No, wait. I need to hide,” she said. “I hadn’t even thought it remotely possible.”

  “No, we’re not running and we’re not hiding. I’m willing to send you somewhere safe—but I’m going nowhere,” he said, with steel in his voice. “Do you want me to send you to a safe house? Hell, I should do that. TJ? Who in town do we trust?”

  “No! I’m not leaving you here alone!”

  “Then we stay and we fight, if it comes down to that. It’s possible he’ll give up, though.” Even as he said the words, though, he knew it was a lie. Men like Samuels didn’t give up—not when they wanted something. Whether he wanted Storm alive or dead was up in the air.

  He didn’t imagine, though, that Samuels would want to kill the mother of his unborn child.

  “I’ll set up routine patrols in the area, and check the inn for guests that can’t be explained,” TJ offered.

  “Thanks, appreciate it. I think I’ll check in with Arnold James at the Convent. If anyone’s lurking, he’d be the first to know. His sense of smell is even better than mine,” Luke said. “I’m not sure if he’d call you if he spotted someone or just chase them off.”

  TJ thought about that for a minute. “Yeah, I’m not either, come to think of it. He’s an ornery old cuss.”

  “Should we warn him?” Storm asked. “Or the nuns at the convent?”

  TJ and Luke both laughed. “It’s abandoned. The only residents are in the cemetery,” Luke explained. “But we should give Arnold a heads-up.”

  “Alright, then, we have a plan,” TJ said. “I spoke with the phone company. They are saying tomorrow or the next day for service to be restored. This storm is damn strange. It wasn’t supposed to last this long.”

  Luke looked at Storm pointedly. “Yeah, I think we might be able to remedy that one.”

  TJ’s eyes widened as he looked at Storm. “You?”

  “Not intentionally!” she cried. “I don’t know why it changes based on my moods!”

  “I’m going to work with her. It might be good to see what all she can do. Before coming here, she had no idea she had any abilities at all.”

  “She is sitting right here,” Storm snapped.

  A loud crack of thunder snapped through the air, shaking the house. Luke and TJ both looked at her.

  “Yeah, I think we need to work on it,” Luke said dryly, having no doubt at all that that little blast was a blast of her temper. He made a mental note to remember that—just in case she pulled down some lightning to go with it if he irritated her. He looked at her and grinned.

  She glared in response. “I didn’t do that!”

  He laughed. “Yeah, you did. Now that I think of it, you could be quite useful in a fight.”

  Storm put her hands over her face and groaned aloud. “What is happening to me?”

  “You’re a wizard, Storm,” Luke explained. “Get used to it.”

  While Luke smiled, Storm just sat shaking her head in awe.

  The next morning, they had a few more answers. The Inn confirmed that they had rented rooms to a group of men who were supposedly on a business trip. Of course, Luke knew better. There was nothing in the town of about three thousand to warrant a group of men arriving. The woman at the Inn had told TJ that the men had arrived the same night Storm had. For now, he was keeping them under watch.

  A call to Mercedes confirmed that there was definitely something amiss. She spotted several vehicles that were obviously not from here, as they had New York plates.

  Storm had thought she’d had a head-start, but she hadn’t had much of one, obviously. She wasn’t entirely sure why they hadn’t already made a move.

  But, the good news was that Samuels didn’t appear to be with them. The Inn had taken copies of the ID of all the men as per their standards, but Samuels was not one of them.

  TJ had run all their IDs, but found not one single record among them. Apparently, they all worked for RSI. Luke knew that was the name of one of Samuel’s corporations. Business trip, his ass. They were here to either catch or watch Storm.

  They’d just finished breakfast, but Storm had barely said a word. They’d made love and she’d been with him all the way—but still, when they’d finished, she’d curled into a ball and gone to sleep without so much as a ‘Goodnight’.

  Just then, they were sitting in front of the fire. “How bout we work on seeing what all your magic can do?” he asked her gently. “It could come in handy if you can call up a storm if we need one.”

  Storm looked at him and shrugged. “If you want to.”

 
“Talk to me, Storm. What’s going through your head, darlin’?” he asked, gently ruffling her curly hair. “I know you’re upset—but I’m not really sure what’s changed since we talked to TJ.”

  “I just keep thinking of how much he could hurt you or your friends,” she said quietly. “I wish we could just run. There’d be no reason for them to stay if I wasn’t here.”

  It was the same damn argument, and he was getting tired of having it. “I know you’re worried, hon. But, really, you need to trust me. And yourself. We are both going to be just fine.”

  “So, how do we work on whatever control I have of the weather?” she asked.

  Luke wasn’t a wizard, but his mother had been. He knew a thing or two. “Energy is the central part of magic. Your magic is stronger here because of the ley-lines I already told you about. Wizards draw on the energy.”

  “I did make the fire get a bit bigger when I tried.”

  He smiled. “See? Just like that—only on a bigger scale with the weather. Apparently, your emotions play a large part for your abilities. Strong emotion lets you control the weather.”

  “I hate snow! I certainly wouldn’t have tried to make it.”

  He chuckled. “Maybe not. But, that’s where the control comes in. We’ll take it slow and work a little each day. I don’t want you to exhaust yourself,” he said gently, touching her stomach. “How’s the little one?”

  Storm smiled and put her hand over his. “She’s fine.”

  He grinned at that. “Girl, is it?”

  She nodded firmly. “I refuse to have that bastard’s son.”

  Luke grew serious. “Storm, that child will never even see Samuels. The only father that little one will know is me.”

  Her eyes widened. “You’d take on another man’s child?”

  “Why does that surprise you? You know I want you.”

  “I know you’re attracted to me, yes. But, there is a huge difference between even a relationship and taking on another man’s unborn child,” she argued.

  “We’ll talk, if you want. But, that child is mine.”

  She suddenly smiled. “You mean that?”