“Augusta, you should know that talking about Odra is hard for all of us,” Christie said. I could see the distance in her eyes. She must have started thinking about her brother. “Let’s just enjoy getting our nails done and not talk about sad things.”
I felt horrible but I was trying to help. With a sigh, I thought it was probably best to change the subject. “I'm sorry my finger nails are so rough, I used to file them often, but lately I just haven’t had the time.”
Ever since I came to the cabin in the woods, that is.
I'd had to go without a lot of the amenities that I was used to in the city. Though I was no fan of acrylic or whatever else they used these days, I didn’t mind dressing up for things like dates, interviews, and meetings. It was like my mom always said, you never knew who was looking at you, and you never got the chance to make a good first impression a second time.
Right then, the nail lady who did Christie's nails, Nelly, started laughing. “Christie here doesn't have that problem.” As I looked over at Christie, and her immaculate appearance, I could see how she wouldn't.
But the lady who was doing Fifi's nails shook her head and patted Fifi's hand. “My Fifi never misses an appointment. Even so, you probably don't have anything on her,” she said it to me. I wouldn’t be so sure of that, I thought.
I was betting vampires had to come less often than shifters because their nails didn't pop off as much. Then again, I could be wrong. “Fifi’s always cracking her nails for some reason. She alone keeps me in business.”
Again Fifi smiled sheepishly. “I do what I can.”
I grinned and without seeming too obvious, I said, “Does anyone know where I can get some good red-velvet chocolates around here?”
“Oh Betty’s,” Christie said excitedly. “I've never been into her shop, but I did place an order for some chocolates from Betty's online a couple of weeks ago. Diana goes all the time, though. She swears by that place. I think she was there like last week.” Christie said.
“Yeah, I’m not as big a fan as Diana. But I visited there last year when they first opened,” Fifi said and then sighed. “It was so long ago, and I haven’t been since. But I seem to remember they carry red velvet chocolate.”
“Badger Bar-b-que is in the same town,” Christie said. “I swear, I don't drive through there without stopping and getting their bar-b-que. Grabbed some of that last week. It'd be easy to just swing by Betty's as well but my sweet tooth has to take second fiddle to my new weight loss regime.”
I wasn't any expert but I was pretty certain bar-b-que should have also. If she was going to pick and choose, why deny herself chocolates?
She continued. “Can't even keep the leftovers of their bar-b-que, either. Last week, I came back with pans of food. I had Diana and Fifi come by and they both went home with huge plates. Next time I go, I’ll invite you over.”
“I want to know what’s going on with Cade and you,” Fifi said.
What? I thought I was the one asking the stealthy questions. “Nothing.”
“The two of you are living together,” she said.
How did they know that?
Christie giggled. “It’s a small town. Word spreads fast.”
“I only just went over to his cabin last night,” I said and then blushed. “Honestly, though that sounded entirely wrong, it’s not what it seems. He’s being nice because my cabin had issues.”
I hoped that the subject would be closed.
“You know he’s got certain proclivities,” Christie said. “Anyone that incredibly hot has every right to. But I’ve heard he doesn’t keep women around long.”
“Meaning?” I asked.
“His list of conquests is long,” she said and eyed me strangely. “My brother was that way too until he met the woman who made him see the reason not to be. He believed in fighting for love.”
“Now, I’m getting sad. I thought we weren’t talking about that kind of thing. What kind of nail polish did you pick out?” I asked trying to change the subject.
She leaned forward. “I think that you should do your best to find someone who would love you the same way that my brother loved Odra. That's something that you should look for.”
“Love? It’s a big thing. Huge, even. Like gigantic,” I said. “And I’m through giving a lot and getting a little.”
“I was hurt before too,” Christie said.
“What do you mean? I wasn’t speaking about anyone in particular,” I said.
“You don’t have to hide it from me. Both Fifi and I have loved a downright scoundrel, the same one even, and we know where you’re coming from. Because if I've learned anything else, my brother might have been a ruthless businessman, but when he finally found the one to give his heart to, everything changed for him. He was a better version of himself. Find you a man like that.”
Fifi made a disgusted noise from the other side. “I disagree, Christie. Honestly, Augusta, I don't know why you're spending any time with Cade at all. A man with that much old baggage to the point where he doesn't like to mingle with the rest of us is bound to be a heartbreaker.”
I looked at both of them, wondering how we veered off of my asking whether or not Odra had come to the salon to them asking about Cade and me. I didn't feel very comfortable talking about it to them. I'd only just met these women. These were some very personal questions they were asking and some very private things that they were hinting at.
“Honestly, you two, it was my cabin that made me go to Cade’s.” Well, that and the mysterious lurker. “It's the reason I'm staying with him.”
Christie smirked. “Sure. Keep telling yourself that.”
When we were done, Christie went to her car and Fifi asked if I’d walk with her to hers. “Are you really riding around on Dalton’s four-wheeler? Somebody ought to have some words with him.”
I blushed.
She took out her keys and unlocked her door. I noticed as she did so she had a couple of furry animals from her store in cages and containers in the back seat.
“They can stand it out here in the cold. I figure it’s good to let the little creatures out of the store every now and then,” she said.
One of the containers was empty and I wondered what she kept in there. She saw me looking and laughed. “That had carpenter ants in it, and I just never got around to putting it back in storage in my store.”
“Where did they go?” I asked, hoping they hadn’t gotten loose in her car.
“I sold them. But they’re cold-blooded. They can’t stand the cold. Wild ones only come out in winter if there’s some kind of source for warmth nearby. Then you find you got a problem in your house that you can’t get rid of. Little kids, though, they love this sort of thing.”
Speaking of the cold—I had a freezing drive ahead of me. “What’d you want to talk about?”
Fifi shook her head. “Cade is only going to cause you to pull your hair out and wish you never laid eyes on him. I've seen more than a few girls around town shooting him big cow eyes. Augusta, I swear I'm not trying to be mean here but I just don't think you're going to be any different. Don't let him get to you. You’ll be the one bawling tears, and he'll be the one not giving it a second thought.”
I was aware of how it was. And I appreciated both of these women giving me their perspective and their point of view. I couldn't say that I didn't entirely disagree with Fifi. I'd been through it all with Mark already.
But I wasn't going to let those thoughts sway me because what I was doing with the case, I believed was important. For the time being, I would stay with Cade, and while doing so, I’d try not to lose my heart in the process.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
*Cade*
WHEN I TOOK A GIRL FOR a night out—I did it with flare—but for Augusta, I did it with style. I wore a flannel under a red and black checkered coat. Making certain to get a pair of my newer jeans, I winced when I realized they hugged every muscle on my thighs. They seemed to draw
Augusta’s attention, though. The truck smelled of her shampoo and my aftershave. I sighed. Yeah, I’d shaved for her.
The bar was dark and dusky. Augusta and I asked the bartender if Diana had come in yet. He was a slinky fellow with long, lanky brownish hair. He twitched a lot and his ears wiggled the more questions I asked him.
I was betting he was a rat shifter. I was also willing to gamble he knew more than he was saying. So far, he’d said that Odra came here often—but he wouldn’t give exact dates. How hard was saying she came every Friday?
Yeah, he was a real fountain of mirthful information. I wanted to shake him, or at least rattle that twitchy smirk off of his face.
There was a slight commotion on the far side of the bar. Thorley stood in the corner making eyes at one girl in particular. Damn, he was already drunk.
The girl’s date for the night glared at Slade’s brother. I sighed. If he got in any trouble tonight, that was on him. Augusta and I were here because he’d said that he’d seen Diana here. It was Friday night—and I wanted to talk.
I pulled Augusta closer to me, making certain my hand was around her waist. I kept it there. It could have been for her peace of mind, but I suspected it was more for mine. There were too many rough characters in here, and I thought it best to establish up front that their approach to Augusta was unappreciated. The unspoken threat that hung in the air was that anyone coming on to her would force me to behave in a most unwelcome manner.
At about five to eleven, the doors opened and shut. Following the newcomer was silence. Just as soon as the silence hit, those around must have realized they were no longer playing pool, talking, playing darts, or drinking.
One young wolf shifter, apparently disliking the sudden quiet, began talking to the lady next to him and then the rest of the patrons began acting normal.
It probably had nothing to do with the short brunette who had green streaks in her hair entering in like she owned the place. I held onto Augusta. Nope, it had a lot more to do with the brutes Diana had chosen as companions for the night. Anyone could see they were hired body-guards. In a place like this, a person paid somebody to accompany them, then they were more than likely looking to start some trouble.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Diana had heard we were asking about her and had hauled her ass over here to see what for. Things had a way of getting around fast in this town, and the preternatural people that lived here were quick to move nearly the same. Fast.
Her two companions were vampires. They were the kind who liked to bully their strength around. One was around seven hundred and the other was around eight hundred years old. I glanced at Augusta. Now this was a problem. Diana had come prepared.
“I think I changed my mind. I don't want you in the middle of this,” I said.
Getting closer to me, Augusta ran her hand up the side of my cheek and trailed her fingers over my ear. I moved into her caress and then pinned her with a stare. “What are you doing?”
“If we're supposed to be here on a date, then I think we should act like, you know, daters.”
“I’m saying, I think you might wanna wait in the car.” If my suspicions were correct, and the vampires that Diana had brought with her were her bodyguards, then things were about to get…ominous.
“But if I leave now, then we won’t get the information that we need. You're willing to risk that so I can go sit in the car?” she asked.
Diana went up to the bar with her companions. Brendon, one of the younger vampires around town, positively drooled. That at least made sense. I’d been trying to get information from one of Diana’s fans. Good for her—very annoying for me.
Augusta dropped her hand from my face. She was shaking a little. I steadied her and the protector in me pushed forward. She shouldn’t have been in here. Not doing this with me—not with those knuckleheads behind Diana eying us like we were some new toys they’d come to play with.
Things could go wrong. It could turn out bad, and I would have to live with the consequences of dragging another partner, no, possibly my true mate into danger.
What did I just say?
A little rattled, I shook my head. Augusta had made the teasing suggestion to me last night. There couldn’t be anything to it. But I still didn’t understand why we now had a telepathic link. What I did know was that these very dangerous individuals who were with Diana had no problem targeting Augusta.
I leaned down very slowly until my lips were even with her ear and slipped her the keys to my truck. “You don't have to do this.”
“It's not me who doesn't want me to. Admit it, you’re the one, aren’t you?” Her words were meant for only my ears, but I knew we had more than a few characters in our presence who’d heard. I was betting Diana and her hired men were listening to everything we said.
Like Augusta had mentioned, we were here on a date, but also trying to solve this crime. But as long as we were here on a date, I couldn't compromise our pretense, and so I wrapped a hand around the back of her neck and brought her lips close to mine. I pressed my forehead to hers and directly sent her a thought.
They can hear us, Augusta.
Why do you want me to leave?
How did I answer her? I decided on the truth. Those men with Diana are trouble. If you go now, maybe you won’t get caught in the middle of whatever goes down.
But I’m prepared to ask questions, Cade.
I needed to get Diana alone for my interrogation, and apparently, she was aware that she was now our primary suspect. How did I tell Augusta that I had a feeling this would get violent, ready for it even, and I didn't want her to see me like that? Even more so, I didn't want any of those bastards laying a hand on her.
I sighed. Promise you won't do anything to place yourself in harm's way.
If she gave me her assurance, then I wouldn't have to worry about anything happening to her, and I could concentrate on taking down the bodyguards around Diana.
Augusta patted my arm. They're coming this way, Cade.
So, I’d be busy with the guys, then. Watch out for Diana. Don't let her get to you.
Diana walked over to Thorley and placed a hand on his chest. He bent down to listen to whatever it was she had to say, and when his eyes came back up, he seemed ready to ignore the woman whom he’d taken away from her date.
Yep, Thorley had a thing for Diana and she was using it to her advantage.
One of her bodyguards tapped me on my shoulder and I backed away from Augusta. I turned to the square-headed, buzz-cut, blue-eyed vampire.
“Diana said to tell you, she's not your girl. She knows you’re looking for the person who signed for some chocolates. She didn’t do nothing wrong.”
“Then why doesn't she tell me herself?” I asked.
“She sent me over here because I got a way with words,” buzz-cut said.
I shared a glance with Augusta. I managed to hide my skepticism and did a fine job of concealing my irritation. I disliked others moving into my investigation and obstructing it.
Honestly, I think at that point, if we could have grabbed Diana, everything would have played out differently. But at that moment, Diana motioned for her guys to come back to her.
I thought the guy was just going to walk away, but he left with a parting jab. “You mess with Diana, and I'm going to drain your girl there dry.”
Not the thing to say to me.
Augusta reached for me, I evaded her, and before anyone could stop me, I moved in front of Diana's bodyguard.
He blinked, and I knew as old as he was, he wasn't used to seeing another move like I had. Unfortunately, he didn't stand there for very long.
Buzz-cut held up one hand.
It wasn't physical, it was a gesture of power, and I suspected this vampire was some kind of pain master because a ripping sensation sliced through me. I narrowed my eyes and glared at him.
Did he want to play? We would. The air which had been so still inside of the bar b
egan to swirl. Balls rolled on the pool tables. The paper on the bulletin boards began to flutter. I never took my eyes off of the bodyguard even during the whirlwind that I was causing. “If I want to question Diana, I will. Not you or your pal over there is going to stop me.”
The bartender ushered all the humans out—including Thorley—and no doubt gave them a compelling cover-up.
“Then I guess your date is going to suffer,” buzz-cut said.
I launched at him, propelling him into the wall as I put my hand around his neck. I wasn't hurting him... yet. “No one touches her.”
He smirked at me. “Yeah? Maybe you should see if we all agree on that.”
The other bodyguard advanced on Augusta.
He was the older of the two, and there was no way I was letting him get his hands on her. Either I let this guy go, and he took Diana to safety, or I released him and protected Augusta.
I wanted to catch Diana so badly. Whatever she’d told these two had to have been a lie. I knew she was guilty of something. Hiring these two thugs to try and intimidate me and threaten Augusta only proved it.
But I released the vampire I was holding and moved to intercept the other one who was going after Augusta. I saw buzz-cut rush to escort Diana out the door. Wimp. We would meet again, but right now I needed to make a point.
This vampire had an earring in his ear and a Mohawk.
I went over to stand in front of Augusta and the vampire sneered at me. I was holding onto my temper. Instead of taking my warning for what it was, this arrogant man had pressed his attack.
He lunged for me, his face twisted in an evil grimace. Where did Diana get this guy? He seemed less intent on talking and more concerned with throwing punches and his slender weight around. His green eyes narrowed to slits.
I circled him. He did the same to me. And then we fought.
Augusta needed to get to safety. Brendon, who’d come back, didn’t even try to break up the fight.
“Get everyone else and get out of here,” I said her.
They had to leave. Because I was a master vampire, and this guy was old ugly, the blows that we were about to throw each other would harm anyone in the way. Everyone needed to get out.
The Vampire's Alpha Mate: A BBW Tiger-Shifter Romance (Arcane Affairs Agency) Page 10