Finding the Texas Wolf

by Karen Whiddon

  Maddie ordered a margarita. She figured she’d need a little help in order to relax.

  After they placed their food order, Jake sat back and studied her. “You’re a very private person, aren’t you?”

  “I guess.” She shrugged. “But you also tend to forget to put your reporter side away.”

  “What does that mean?” His frown told her he truly didn’t understand.

  “You ask a lot of questions.”

  Was that hurt flashing across his handsome face? Telling herself she must have imagined it, Maddie reached for another chip and dipped it into the salsa.

  He waited while she chewed. Then, leaning forward, he met her gaze. “How else am I supposed to get to know you? I know nothing about you, really. I know you have a brother. Whether he’s older or younger, I have no clue. Where he lives, if you two are close, those are the sorts of things people in a relationship should know.”

  In a relationship. Stunned, she took a sip of her margarita. As usual, she knew honesty was always the best policy. “Is that what we are? In a relationship?”

  Again he flashed that devastating grin. “Unless you want to be acquaintances with benefits, then yes.” His casual shrug fooled no one. “Up to you.”

  Their food arrived just then, giving her a few seconds to decide how to respond. “You’re right,” she finally said. “We should try to get to know one another better. I guess we kind of went about this backward, but that’s fine.” Spearing a chunk of her enchilada, she smiled. “Tell me about yourself. Where you’re from, if you have siblings, all of it.”

  Over the course of their meal, in between bites, she learned Jake had been an only child, born and raised in Terrell. After graduating from Texas A&M University in College Station, he’d moved to Houston to take a job as a special correspondent for KHOU. His parents were both still living out near Tyler, and he visited them a couple of times a year.

  For her part, she told him she had one older brother, and that they’d grown up in Missouri City, where her father had run a private investigative agency he’d taken over from his father. “When he died, my stepmother sold the agency right out from under me,” Maddie explained, taking care not to sound too bitter, though she was. “I’d hoped she’d at least give me a chance to buy it and continue my family’s legacy.”

  “So instead you started your own.” His eyes gleamed with interest. “That’s admirable.”

  She felt a warm glow at his praise. They’d both cleaned their plates and he was debating whether or not to order sopaipillas when her cell phone rang. Normally, she would have ignored it, but caller ID said Carmen.

  “Sorry, I have to take this,” she told Jake. “Hello?”

  “Hey,” Carmen said. “Are you home? We’re on our way over.”

  No explanation for her disappearance, though Maddie hadn’t really expected one. “First, I’m not home. I’m in a restaurant, eating dinner. And second, you said we’re. Who’s with you? Shayla?”

  “No. Shayla’s still with her new husband. You know that.” Carmen’s typical impatience rang in her clipped words. “How soon can you get home? Rick and I need someplace to hide where no one will think to look. That means Broken Chains is out.”

  “Hide?” What had her Vampire friend gotten herself into this time? And did it have something to do with that new case she’d mentioned taking on?

  “I’ll explain later,” Carmen said. “Can we come to your place or not?”

  “We’re just finishing up our meal,” Maddie replied, keeping her voice calm. “Jake and I will be home shortly. You know where I keep the extra key. Just let yourself in.” She ended the call before Carmen could protest.

  Across the table, Jake waited, his expression curious.

  “Well, you said you wanted to get to know me better,” Maddie drawled. “That was one of my best friends. She and a guy friend of hers—someone I don’t know—are on their way over to my apartment. How’d you like to meet them?”

  Jake put down the dessert menu and grinned. “Sounds great. Let me take care of this check and we can get out of here.”

  By the time they pulled into her apartment building’s parking lot, Maddie figured Carmen and Rick—whoever he was—were already inside. Since she’d been wanting to come up with a distraction to keep Jake away from his earlier disastrous plan, she figured this one would be as good as any.

  Either way, her invitation to meet her friends appeared to make him happy. As they walked up the sidewalk and climbed the stairs to her apartment, he turned to her and planted a quick kiss on her mouth.

  Surprised and pleased, she smiled up at him, her lips tingling. “What was that for?” she asked.

  “Just because.”

  She decided just because felt wonderful.

  As she unlocked her front door and stepped inside, she saw Carmen sitting on the couch, next to a dangerous-looking, handsome man whose aura proclaimed him a Shape-shifter. They both jumped up when Maddie and Jake entered. Introductions were performed all the way around. Maddie couldn’t help but notice the protective way Rick Fallin eyed Carmen. As if she was his to protect. Even stranger, Carmen allowed it. In all the time Maddie had known the Vampire, she’d never seen her even come close to allowing a man, any man, to have the upper hand.

  She also couldn’t help but see the narrow-eyed glares Carmen directed at Jake.

  “Maddie, do you have a minute?” Grabbing her arm, Carmen propelled her into the kitchen. “What’s the deal with the guy, Jake? We have a lot of sensitive information to discuss. Why would you bring a human around and let him hear all this?”

  “Because I need a distraction.” Talking quickly, Maddie filled her friend in on everything that had been going on, except for the fact that she and Jake had made love. “If he keeps on pushing, he’s going to end up either dead or with his memories erased. I thought if he had an actual story, he’d drop the other. I’m hoping you can help with the story. Highly edited, but still.”

  “I see.” Expression thoughtful, Carmen finally nodded. “And you feel this is somehow your responsibility?”

  “Yes. I like him, Carmen. A lot. He has...potential.”

  “Okay, okay.” With her usual elegant grace, Carmen combed her fingers through her short platinum hair. “Rick’s a bit freaked out, so let me talk to him.”

  “I’ll do it,” Maddie replied. “He’s a Shifter, so I can make him understand.”

  “I’m not sure you can.” Carmen seemed doubtful. “I know you don’t know what’s going on, but it involves a deadly virus, a terrorist cell and a dead junior senator.”

  “Wow. I’m intrigued and impressed,” Maddie said. “That’s way more interesting than what’s been going on in my life. Jake will eat this up.”

  Carmen tilted her head, frowning. “I don’t know. If he’s a reporter, maybe letting him hear about this isn’t a good idea.”

  “Does this situation involve humans?” Maddie asked. “Because if it does, it wouldn’t hurt to let him know. This could be the scoop of the century.”

  “And you think it would force him to abandon his other story about Broken Chains?”

  “Yes. And about proving the existence of werewolves.” Maddie shuddered. “I don’t have to tell you how awful that would be. Especially once the Protectors got a hold of him.”

  “No, you don’t.” The frown smoothed out and vanished. “Come on then. You talk to Rick. If he’s okay with it, then we’ll let Jake hear a slightly sanitized version of our case.”

  When they emerged from the kitchen, they found Jake and Rick deep in conversation about baseball. It appeared they were both Houston Astros fans, though Jake also liked the Texas Rangers.

  Joining the two men, Maddie exchanged a glance with Carmen. She’d need Carmen to lead Jake away on some pretext so Maddie and Rick could have a quick talk.

  * * *

  Both Jake and Rick turned to stare as the two women emerged from the kitchen. They were both stunning, though in different ways. Carme
n’s platinum blond, pale-skinned look seemed edgy and sexual, while Maddie had a more wholesome sexiness that Jake much preferred.

  For whatever reason, Jake could tell Carmen wasn’t thrilled to have him there. He wasn’t sure why, at least not yet. He had no doubt he’d find out before the end of the evening. Carmen seemed really...direct.

  In fact, she made a beeline over to him. “Do you have a moment to speak privately?” she asked, her husky voice full of confidence that he wouldn’t turn her down.

  Jake glanced at Rick, who shrugged. Maddie gave him an encouraging smile. “She doesn’t bite,” she said.

  For whatever reason, both Carmen and Rick found this comment hilarious. “Inside joke,” Rick finally said.

  “Yes. Sorry.” Carmen wiped at her eyes. “Will you talk to me?”

  “Sure,” Jake answered. “Lead the way.”

  She took him into the kitchen she and Maddie had just left. Though he could make out the quiet hum of Maddie’s voice, he couldn’t discern what she and Rick might be speaking about.

  “How do you know Maddie?” Carmen demanded, folding her arms across her ample chest. Immediately he forced his gaze back to her face.

  “Didn’t she tell you when you two were in here a few minutes ago?” he shot back, wondering why she seemed so antagonistic.

  “Maybe. But I want to hear it from you.”

  He decided instead to use a different tactic. “If you’re worried about your friend, don’t be. We both know what we’re doing. We’re adults. I won’t hurt her.”

  Carmen didn’t immediately respond. She just continued to eye him, her stare both bold and frank. “You’re pretty,” she pronounced. “I see why she likes you.”

  He grinned. “Pretty, huh? While I’m not sure if that’s a compliment or an insult, I’ll take it as a compliment. So, thanks.”

  When she didn’t smile back, he shrugged. “Well. Nice talk. We’d better get back in there and rejoin the others.” He turned and started to leave.

  “Wait.”

  What now? Slowly, he swung back around to face her.

  She took a deep breath. “In a few moments, you’re going to hear some sensitive information. Information I don’t feel you need to know. But Maddie believes you’re a good reporter and will do well with this story. Understand that we’re all trusting you. There are lives on the line here. Don’t mishandle this.”

  Though he had no idea what she meant, he nodded. Her use of the word story had his journalistic instincts on full alert.

  “Assuming,” she continued, “that Rick’s okay with filling you in.”

  “Interesting,” he said. Because it was. “Are you ready to go and find out?”

  “Sure.” Now she seemed indifferent. He couldn’t help but wonder if her mercurial mood changes were normal for her. Or if he just rubbed her the wrong way. He’d ask Maddie later.

  When they emerged from the kitchen, Maddie and Rick appeared to be arguing, though they both kept their voices low. They immediately stopped when they saw him.

  “We need a few more minutes,” Maddie began.

  “No.” Rick dragged his hand through his hair. “We don’t. I’m good. Just be careful.”

  “I will.”

  Now every journalistic instinct Rick possessed had flared to full alert. “Let me go out to my car and get a pad of paper and a pen,” he said. “I also have a little voice recorder, if that’s okay.”

  “No recordings,” Rick pronounced. “You can write stuff down. This is very sensitive information. You’ll need to give us your word that you’ll handle it responsibly.”

  “Of course I will.” Jake didn’t even hesitate. “You don’t become an award-winning, respected journalist by cutting corners. I’ll report the facts without embellishment.”

  Rick and Carmen exchanged glances. “That might be a bit difficult. We don’t actually know all the facts.”

  If anything, this intrigued him even more. “Let me grab my pad. Just a second.” He dashed out the door and jogged to his car.

  When he returned, the other three now seemed to be arguing among themselves. Again, everyone went silent the instant he stepped into the room.

  “Guys, if you keep doing that, I’m going to get a complex,” he joked.

  Maddie was the only one who smiled. “Come on in, Jake. Sit down. They’ve decided Rick will tell you the story. Since I haven’t heard it either, it’ll be news to me, as well.”

  “Perfect.” He made his way to the couch and sat, motioning to the spot next to him. Maddie didn’t hesitate to take it, plopping down right next to him, close enough that their hips bumped.

  He could get used to this. The fleeting thought made him smile at her, before he turned his attention back to Carmen and Rick. They both had chosen to remain standing.

  Rick cleared his throat. “What we’re going to tell you has to be off the record, at least for now. Agreed?”

  “Agreed.” Jake loved when people began with off the record. Things tended to get really interesting then. And although sometimes that meant he couldn’t ever use what he’d been told, every now and then when off the record became on the record, the payoff was great.

  “Perfect.” Rick and Carmen exchanged a glance. “Where should I begin? There’s a small cell of domestic terrorists who call themselves Sons of Darkness.”

  “A motorcycle gang?”

  “Nope.” For some reason Carmen appeared to find this funny. “Not even close.”

  Rick glared first at her and then at Jake. “Are you going to let me tell this story or not?” he asked her.

  “Go ahead.” She waved at him, covering her mouth with her other hand.

  He shook his head and then continued.

  Jake listened to the rest without interrupting, jotting down notes. When Rick finally finished, Jake nodded. “Interesting. I have a few questions.” He looked pointedly at Rick. “Assuming I’m allowed to ask questions.”

  “Ask away.”

  “Considering that this group had a fake lab and, most likely, no virus, how do you know this virus even exists?”

  Again Rick and Carmen exchanged looks, giving the sense that they weren’t revealing everything. “The CDC is working on it. What we don’t know is if this Ted person has an actual virus or not. If not, then the thing is currently completely contained inside the CDC lab in Atlanta.”

  For the first time since Rick began his explanation, Carmen spoke. “Most important, there’s the matter of whoever really created the virus. I’m a biologist who specializes in diseases. I was excited when they contacted me and wanted me to join their operation, even if I’d be working undercover with the FBI. I welcomed the opportunity to learn from a scientist who, while he might have been evil, also appeared to be brilliant.”

  “Because he came up with a new virus?”

  “Exactly. You have no idea how rare that is. And if I worked side by side with him, then I’d be more likely able to develop an antidote.” Carmen’s animated expression fell. “But that didn’t happen. We thought it was this Sheldon out at the Sons of Darkness compound. He’s dead, so we can’t actually ask him. And while it’s possible he might have stumbled across the perfect combination by accident, from the looks of the lab, that’s highly unlikely.” She grimaced. “In fact, I can state with 99.9 percent certainty that no virus was developed in that lab.”

  “So what are you going to do now?” Jake asked.

  “That’s where you and Maddie come in,” Carmen said. “She’s a private investigator and you’re a reporter. You two should have enough skills between you to locate the missing guy—Ted—and find out what he does or doesn’t have.”

  Jake turned to look at Maddie. Judging from her closed-off expression, she wasn’t too keen on the idea.

  “I’ll have to think about it,” he said, nudging Maddie with his knee to let her know they’d discuss it later. “But I have to ask, why are you telling me this, off the record?”

  “Because once a solution is foun
d, think of the story. It won’t be off the record any longer. And you’ll have an exclusive.”

  “Put that way,” Jake replied, grinning. “It’s an offer almost too good to be true.”

  “I’m in,” Maddie said suddenly, startling him. “I personally enjoy a challenge.”

  She met his gaze, a challenging look on her face. “Well?” she demanded. “What do you say?”

  Something still felt off. But he trusted his instincts and knew he’d figure it out eventually. “Working together, right?”

  Maddie nodded.

  “Then I’m in, too,” he said.

  Chapter 12

  Rick almost felt sorry for the reporter. No one could help but notice the way Jake and Maddie looked at each other, or the way sparks seemed to crackle between them. But then again, Rick could actually relate. He felt that way about Carmen. Too quickly, too soon.

  Especially now that she’d seen him shape-shift into wolf. That knowledge alone boggled his mind. Among the Pack, such a thing was forbidden with other species—unless they were mates.

  Mates. He’d never really given the idea serious thought. In fact, he wasn’t sure he even believed in the concept. If he ever mated with anything, he’d have to say he was mated to his job. Most definitely it wouldn’t be a Vampire.

  Yet Carmen was...different. The more time he spent with her, the less Vampire-like she seemed. The initial impression, of her blazing hot sexiness, had become enriched with her dry sense of humor and mocking wit. He liked her, he had to admit. And while he found himself craving her, he knew enough about couples and partnerships to realize that wasn’t enough.

  “What’s your plan?” Jake asked, bringing Rick out of his reverie.

  “We’re going after Ted, of course,” Carmen put in.

  “Okay. But what about these Sons of Darkness people? It seems to me you went through a lot of trouble to develop undercover identities. I get that you fled their hideout, but wouldn’t it make more sense to continue to work with them?”

  Jake had a valid point. Rick glanced at Carmen, who shrugged.

  “The thing about them,” Rick said, “is that we got a real inkling that they are a front for something else, something worse. The entire plan about starting a war in West Latvia to anger the Russians didn’t make sense to begin with. And this was even before we realized they didn’t have the virus.”