Even though part of her wanted to be amused at the blatant disrespect of Scott’s undeserved power and Paul’s paranoia, she couldn’t help being suspicious of the timing.
Matthew just happened to vanish about the same time a manifesto matching the flyers he’d been collecting from them turned up? It all smelled a little too coincidental, but she didn’t want to accuse him, especially since she knew how important the King siblings were to the Millers. Any negative word about them would be met with resistance, if not anger, and she had enough experience in arguing with Landon to last a lifetime.
“What did you need? Maybe I can help,” Landon volunteered with what she could only call a nervous smile. “Or maybe Charlie knows someone from their shared contacts who can.”
Imogene hesitated then offered him the papers in her hands and waited while he looked through them. His forehead wrinkled in a way that had her longing to smooth her fingers over his skin, though she shoved her hands into her back pockets to resist. He moved his lips as if reading, but he flipped through the packet a lot quicker than Steven only for his frown to deepen with each new page.
“Where’d you find this?” he questioned as he looked up. “This is some next level werewolf hate.”
“In one of the bathroom stalls at the library,” she said, stepping closer to the steps he stood on. “There’s some overlap between the flyers and its contents so we thought it might be related, and Micah suggested Matthew, assuming he hasn’t joined the anti-wolf side after Paul’s fit.”
Landon continued to frown then asked, “What was plan b?”
She sighed before admitting, “We didn’t come up with a plan b since we’d gotten used to bringing this kind of thing to Matthew which I know was stupid on our part. Still think Charlie might know someone else who can help?”
It felt like an eternity passed as Landon continued to flip through, though finally, he closed the manifesto and handed it back to her. “I’m not sure there’s a way to bring this to the others that doesn’t further Scott’s paranoia, especially that Matthew’s been collecting them,” he said, glancing over the flyers again. “But what if we look into this on the down-low for now and bring it to the packs when we have something else to go on?”
“Except where would we even investigate? None of this points us in a useful direction.”
Imogene bit her lip to avoid giving into the mix of emotions that had been rolling around since discovering no one here. Her wolf shared the temperamental feeling as she fought to keep her eyes their natural shade and her claws sheathed. Only Landon’s arrival had given her a brief but rapidly ending respite, though he seemed to sense the agitation and reached out to enfold her hand within his.
“Hey, Immy, look at me,” he instructed, quietly then waited until her eyes locked with his. “Deep breathes. I may actually have a clue for us. Remember our conversation about The Red Stag?”
Her brows came together in a frown before she replied, “Vaguely, but what does that have to do with any of this?” She gestured toward the flyer and packet still held in her other hand.
“I’m not sure it does, but Matthew said he’d found similar flyers there,” Landon said after a glance behind him like someone might be eavesdropping. “He said it isn’t exactly wolf friendly so where else to collect like minded crazies? We could check it out. Worse case scenario, we waste some time and end up back at square one. Best case scenario, we learn something useful to take to a tribunal.”
Imogene hesitated a minute then questioned, “We’d just be looking, not rushing into anything?”
He drew an X over his heart before he promised, “We won’t even get out of the car, just spend a couple hours watching to see who comes and goes, alright? What do you say, Immy?”
Pushing down the little voice that said this wouldn’t end well for one that reminded her how important leadership was, she gave a nod and withdrew her hand from his to tuck a curly strand of hair behind her ear. “Okay so when are we doing this and what are we telling the others?”
* * *
The Red Stag was a dump.
Imogene’s eyes were glued to the squat, black building that looked to be struggling to hold onto its last leg in an already struggling part of town as she tried not to notice how Landon filled up the space inside her Bronco. He seemed completely oblivious to her awareness, though with his eyes fixed on the small crowd of people chatting in the front while smoking. A bag of beef jerky and an energy drink were open in the cupholders between them since he’d insisted he hadn’t eaten dinner which required a snack run, but he’d barely touched it.
“Kind of seems they cater to a particular type,” she remarked to break up the tension as she tried not to notice the shortness of one woman’s skirt and the low placement of a male hand on said skirt. “But the crowd isn’t as big as Bordertown.”
“Could be bigger inside,” he replied, shifting, slightly to face her. He blinked to clear away the yellow of the wolf’s eyes to show the usual moss color. “If we go off building size, I’d say max capacity might be about a hundred whereas Bordertown can hold closer to three hundred.”
Giving a nod with his words, vaguely remembering something similar posted inside, she kept her gaze focused on the crowd lingering by the door. Cigarette smoke hung heavy so she allowed her eyes to shift into her wolf’s and better see despite the distance and smoke, though it still wasn’t overly interesting. Mouths were moving, but she couldn’t read lips and music drowned out potential voices so she chalked it up to the regular kind of talk that permeated the bar crowds.
“See any familiar faces?” Landon questioned, picking up his can to take a drink. “Unless some of them had major reconstructive surgery in my absence or changed a whole lot, I’m not seeing anyone that stands out.”
“A couple look familiar, but they may have just frequented the library,” she offered as her eyes swept down the line. “Why don’t we just go inside to have a look around?”
He waited until he’d swallowed and wiped a hand across his mouth to reply, “Because they’re not wolf friendly, and I don’t want to face Micah and Steve if you end up in a bar fight.”
Imogene rolled her eyes. “I do know how to throw a punch, Landon. In fact, you’re the one who taught me, and I was in the guard prior to replacing Steven.”
“I did, and you were, but bar fights are not the same as a regular fistfight,” he said, eyes back on the gathered crowd as a few finished and headed back inside. “Trust me, I’ve been in enough of them to say you would get hurt then Micah would murder me and Mom would kill him and Scott would finally get to be the big wolf in town by exiling her so I say we stay right here in the car.”
She wanted to call him ridiculous except she knew Micah and Melanie were the protective types so both events would happen. No part of her doubted the chain of events he’d described since Scott would take any opportunity available to grow his own power which left her settling back into the seat with a resigned sigh.
She stole a piece of beef jerky from his pack before questioning, “Is this the kind of place you hung out with the Sons?”
He tensed and seemed to be weighing how much to say then glanced over to her. “Sometimes, but we never stayed long because someone would get in a fight, noses or arms would get broken, and we’d inevitably get kicked out,” he said, focusing back across the road. “And before you ask, I was just as likely to get in a fight those early days as anyone else.”
“But not now,” she said, quietly, hoping he’d provide more details with a little push.
“Not now,” he agreed without even a glance at her. “Don’t get me wrong. I have no problem using my fists when necessary, but the Sons didn’t really need a reason. It never took more than a look or a word or even just thinking someone said something, and club rules dictated we stood together.”
“So pack mentality?”
“Pack mentality,” he confirmed. “A smarter me would have realized I traded one oppressive pack for another, but th
e dumber me saw freedom and escape without family constraints. You should have punched dumber me for thinking he knew better.”
Imogene started to agree except a glimpse of blonde hair had her leaning forward to see beyond him as an uncharacteristic swear slipped out. “What the hell is Alexis doing here?”
Chapter Twenty-Three
“What the hell is Alexis doing here?”
Imogene’s question had his head whipping around so fast that Landon swore something popped, though he spotted the platinum blonde head immediately. His eyes narrowed as he took in the thin straps of her tank top and the skintight pants that ended just above a pair of boots with a stiletto heel. He also took in the blonde guy with her whose hand rested far too low on her back, though just short of groping, and he found the familiar irritation of his youth creeping in.
Before he had time to think about it, he pushed open the door and stood despite Imogene’s attempt to tug him back inside. All thoughts of quietly watching had gone out the window as he called, “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
A lot of heads whipped in their direction, including Alexis and the potential groper, though annoyance quickly set into her expression. She whispered something to the man who nodded then she stalked toward them, lips twisting into a scowl beneath a layer of black lipstick to match her dark eyeliner. Too many eyes were still on them, but he paid little attention, too busy reconciling the playful teenager from his childhood with the questionably clad woman in front of him based on something other than that scowl.
“What the hell, Landon?” she hissed once a matter of inches separated them. “You cannot be here, and you brought Imogene? That’s stupid, even for you.”
“Do you even know what kind of place this is?” he demanded, stepping closer with a scowl. “And who the hell is that asshole who practically had his hand on your ass?”
Alexis’ eyes rolled, and he had no trouble seeing the bratty teenager within. “His name is Ben, and he’s a friend,” she said, folding her arms over her chest. “Also, do you know what this place is?”
“You’re drawing a lot of attention to us,” Imogene said from behind him, but he continued to glare at the blonde guy who hadn’t approached. “I’m sure Alexis knows what she’s doing.”
“Thank you, Imogene. You always were my favorite.” Alexis smiled, brightly over his shoulder before she stepped closer then lowered her voice to whisper, “I got the name of this place from Matthew a couple months back so Bennett and I have been paying the occasional visit to identify frequent visitors, any pack connections, or info that might be helpful about the flyers.”
Landon’s eyes narrowed, and he demanded, “Does Mom know what you’re doing? And are you sure you can trust this Ben asshole?”
She released an irritated huff and glanced over her shoulder then said, “Mama Mel knows I’m working with Matthew, but I don’t share details, and Ben’s a cop plus an old friend so I couldn’t be in safer hands.”
The fact his mother had approved Alexis to investigate this kind of thing did not sit well with him, especially given the attitude toward wolves, so he found himself asking, “How do you two get in if this place is as anti-wolf as Matthew says?”
“Ben’s human.” She reached into her cleavage then pulled out a small silver tube and explained, “This is one of Matthew’s toys that masks the werewolf scent for a couple hours plus human noses aren’t as good as ours.”
Glancing down to the tube in her hand, he almost reached for it except the fact it had been between her boobs moments earlier held him back. It seemed standard enough for one of Matthew’s toys, and he had to admit that getting someone inside could gather better intel, though he still didn’t trust a human to take care of her, even a cop.
“What’s his last name?” Landon’s thumb jerked toward where the blonde guy waited.
“Bennett Snow,” she said before tucking the tube back into her top. “Matthew did an entire report on him, but the short version is he moved to Worsham about a month back on my suggestion and got a job with the local department. I’ll email it to you in the morning if you’ll get out of here and stop making me look so damn suspicious.”
Before he could come up with an answer, Alexis had spun around on her pointed heels and headed back to the blonde who lifted a hand in their direction. The same hand returned to Alexis’ back as she bent her head close to his, said something that made him laugh, then started for the bar while Landon stood there, torn between going after them and getting back in the car. However, the continued focus of eyes on them eventually made the decision for him as he sank back into the car and pulled the door shut.
“So much for the down low,” Imogene grumbled as she started the engine and shifted the Bronco into drive. She checked the street before she pulled out onto the road. “Do you have any idea how caveman you just sounded?”
Instead of answering, Landon scowled and searched his pockets for a cigarette despite knowing he wouldn’t find one. He’d never gotten to the point of habit, but he did like the occasional hit of nicotine to settle his nerves; however, he’d tried to minimize even that since coming home which left him without a way to channel his frustration.
“Alexis is a grown woman,” she said as if he’d made an effort to argue with her. “And a wolf, too, plus it’s not like she’s going alone. You can’t ask for better back-up than a cop.”
He scowled toward her. “A human cop. Who’s to say he isn’t one of them and all this is part of the plan?”
Imogene gave him a familiar look that made him scowl as she remarked, “You’re sounding like Scott right now, Landon. If Matthew and Melanie approved it, you don’t have a leg to stand on in telling her what she can or can’t do with regards to that place. That would be a choice made by those in leadership which is something you never wanted.”
Rather than arguing with her, he removed his phone and tapped a name in the familiar call list then waited out the ringtone. Charlie’s hello barely completed before he demanded, “Do you know where Alexis is tonight?”
Silence met his demand for a full minute. “It’s Saturday, isn’t it? She’s off tomorrow, but Riley spent all day on photoshoots and passed out on the couch while watching movies with Eliana so I’d guess Alexis is out at The Red Stag with Snow,” he said as if it were the most natural thing in the world. “Your tone tells me you knew that already, though.”
“What the hell, Charlie?” he demanded, scowling at the phone. “Not one of you finds this a poor decision to let her do this?”
Charlie chuckled, quietly. “You do remember that no one lets Alexis do anything, right?” he questioned. “Matthew and I were talking about it one night when she dropped by, and she brought up concerns of her own. It was a test the first time, and she happened to run into Snow there with a handful of officers so they started making a standing date out of it while collecting info. I’ll show you her notes tomorrow, if you want.”
Landon tried to come up with an argument except what could he actually say? Between the promise of Matthew’s file on Alexis’ friend, Bennett, and Charlie’s mention of notes, he didn’t have a lot of ground to object. He wasn’t ready to admit he’d overreacted, though so he demanded, “Does Mom know? What about Riley? Does she know her best friend is walking headfirst into a potentially dangerous situation?”
“Mom trusts my judgment,” came the immediate answer with the slightest hint of defensiveness. “As to Riley, she knows Alexis does what she wants and just asks her to be careful. Originally, Alexis wanted to take Riley with her because two pretty girls are twice as distracting, but Matthew and I both said that wasn’t a good idea. Any other questions?”
Despite the snide comment on his tongue, Landon hit the end call button and dropped the phone into the door’s side pocket. His peripheral vision caught Imogene’s expression which looked like she might be trying not to laugh since she’d likely heard their entire conversation, but she kept her eyes straight ahead. Both hands were on the wheel
as she navigated the dark streets back toward Matthew’s where his bike waited.
When the silence felt too long, he grumbled, “Go ahead and say it.”
“Say what?” she questioned, innocently without looking at him. “That you overreacted because you still see Alexis as a teenager? That you’re still mad Charlie knows more than you do? It’s nothing you don’t already know, Landon.”
Scowling, he drummed his fingers against the plastic covering on the door. “Is it so wrong to worry about my family?” he demanded. “Alexis has always been reckless so this is just one mo-”
“Have you considered this is an opportunity for Alexis to prove she isn’t that same reckless kid?”
Imogene’s question caught him off-guard as she turned into Matthew’s driveway and put the car in park. Shifting in her seat, she faced him in the dimly lit space.
“I know you think you’ve accepted it, but tonight proves you’re still seeing them through the same lens as twelve years ago. You haven’t been back long enough for us to trust you’re going to stay so why would Melanie and Charlie trust you with that kind of intel?” she asked then held up a hand. “But Charlie didn’t seem opposed to sharing now that you’ve brought it up.”
As she’d been able to do for years, since they were teens, Landon’s anger deflated in the face of her facts. He did still see Alexis as a kid which explained why her attire and Ben’s too low hand had ticked him off, and he knew few people were sold on his sudden, permanent return; however, Charlie and Alexis had both offered up information if he’d just wait a little longer so he grudgingly admitted she was right that he didn’t have any reason to be angry.
Rule of Claw: Wolves of Worsham #1 Page 13