“Whoa, werewolf. Slow down a minute. Vegas? First it was your house, now Nevada?” This was getting ridiculous. I couldn’t go to Las Vegas.
“Logan, it’s me. Things are getting more complicated in Plum Beach; can I bring a friend who needs some serious guarding?” He paused listening. “Call Mack. We’ll need him pronto.” Zane stopped to listen. “See you soon.”
“Did you just make arrangements for both of us? Because, I sure don’t remember agreeing to your vacation plans.” My previous irritation with Zane had returned.
“Chloe, can you be reasonable? Remember when I told you there were more supernatural creatures than just werewolves? There’s a whole lot more. Right now, I’m not sure who’s slashing your local men to shreds, and I’m not even a hundred percent convinced a mutant gave your zebra that nasty hickey. I do know Jazmine, though. Trust me. I want you alive. I promise to keep my hands off you, if that’s what it takes.” His expression left no room for argument.
Jazmine’s intentions were obvious. I knew he was right. I had plenty of vacation time saved up. Luke would accept my request, especially after Will’s murder. I suspected Zane would come up with some viable explanation for himself.
“Fine, I’ll go; but you keep your hands and your paws off me.” I crossed my arms attempting to look firmer than I felt.
“Paws too, wolf’s honor.”
“Five minutes until closing. Please exit the park,” Luke announced for the final time.
“Who will watch the animals?” I’d almost forgotten with both of us gone the park’s animals would be without proper care. Not that we didn’t have other animal specialists, but no one like me.
Zane nodded. “I’ve already taken care of that. Mack and his son, Michael …”
“Mack and Michael?” I interrupted.
“They like M-names, what can I say? Anyway, Mack is a healer and Mike is another pack enforcer. They can keep an eye on things while we’re away.”
As we rushed past the exhibits, to the main office, I informed all the animals I could about our travel plans. They weren’t thrilled by my pending departure, but they’d survive — I hoped. If Mack and his son were anything like Zane, I knew they’d be well-protected.
“You two have been busy. Did you take a lunch?” Luke was hunched over his desk, doing his one-finger computer work.
I could hear subdued conversations as the other employees performed their closing duties. Closing time was traditionally filled with an overabundance of laughter.
Will’s murder had changed all that.
Zane glanced my way. Go on. Ask him.
I raised my eyebrows, hoping he’d take the lead instead.
“You’re right about no lunch. We were too busy to eat, but we still didn’t learn as much as we’d hoped to.
A good portion of the animals overheard the zebra attack, but none saw the perpetrator. I’ve got a good friend, another vet, who’ll be in town for a few days. He’s got a ton of prior investigative experience. I was hoping he and his son could help out while I’m gone,” Zane suggested.
“Gone?” Luke stopped typing and looked up. I could tell he was more than a little curious. “You just got here.”
“You do remember me mentioning my prior commitments to the casino board. There’s an emergency I have to address. I’ll be gone a few days, a week at the most.”
“Well, we’ve got Chloe and that friend of yours. We should be fine.” Luke glanced back at his notebook.
“Uh, Luke,” I squirmed. Asking for time off wasn’t easy for me under the circumstances. I was sure Luke would see through our little charade.
“What Ms. Never-Miss-Work is trying to say — I convinced her to take some much overdue time off. She’s too embarrassed to admit the murders have her shook up. Blame me. I told her to follow up on your offer for rest.” Zane shrugged his left shoulder, feigning a guilty expression.
“I can’t believe you were able to convince her. I’ve been trying for the last year. If your friends are as good as you say, we should be fine. I give you my boss’ blessing, Chloe. Go. Rest. Take a break.” He waved us off. “Get out of here. You’re stalling.”
I couldn’t leave without more assurance. “Are you …”
“He’s sure. Get going. I’ll walk you out.” Zane pressed his palm against the small of my back, guiding me to the door.
“Oh, Zane, I met your fiancé today. She’s a real pretty gal.” Luke flashed Zane the I-approve-of-your-woman smile.
Curious how Zane would pull this one off, I faced the men. Maybe werewolves were also good actors. They seemed skilled at everything else.
“She’s adorable. Although my feet are getting colder the closer the day gets.”
“Don’t let her get away.” Luke’s eyes darted my direction then away.
“Thanks for the advice. I’ll be in touch.” Zane followed me out the door.
Stepping into the parking lot, I breathed in the salty air. I felt free. I was off work. A gorgeous man slash wolf was my personal bodyguard, and we were headed to Las Vegas.
“Do I sense excitement?” Zane leaned back and sniffed, his nose twitching.
“Is it that obvious? I guess I don’t, as they say, get out much.”
“That, my Princess, is about to change.”
Before I could respond, Rhonda’s Jetta screeched out from behind the park’s company van, swerving toward us. Grabbing me up, Zane leaped over her car faster than an action hero jumping from one rooftop to another.
The wheels skidded as she spun around and raced past. I could see Jazmine in the passenger seat, her vicious laughter pouring from an open window.
Gasping, I clung to my savior. Without his werewolf reflexes, I’d be a bloody pancake on the pavement.
Not even forty-eight hours since my Monday morning commute, and my request for excitement had already been fulfilled in ways I couldn’t have predicted.
Although horrified, I’d already determined Zane’s arms provided the most excitement and protection any woman could hope to find.
***
Chapter 11
Zane paced somewhere not far behind me as I gathered the few belongings I needed for our trip. I had one sequined cocktail dress, a couple of cute skirts, and several sheer matching blouses that I hoped would be dressy enough for the infamous and always glitzy Sin City.
Dressing up was something way out of the ordinary and even further out of my comfort zone. I was a jeans and t-shirt kind of gal.
A few days ago, I couldn’t have begun to foresee my current reality. For one, taking a vacation from work was mind boggling in itself. Add traveling to another state with a man who wasn’t a man added to my new dreamlike existence.
Without the foot tapping coming from the far corner of my bedroom, where Zane now loomed, I might have been tempted to pinch myself.
“If you forget something, we’ll pick it up when we get there.” He sounded impatient, and worried.
“Can I grab my toiletries?” I didn’t have a ton of money to be splurging on new makeup.
“Can you do everything in five minutes or less?” he demanded.
“Can you stop rushing me? I’m almost finished.” His brusque manner made me more anxious than I already was. I scurried to the bathroom and tossed the essentials into a smaller bag.
“What about my car? What if someone sees it and wonders why I’m not in it or why I don’t answer the door?” I didn’t want to raise any suspicions. “Luke might figure out we’re together. That would be … uncomfortable.”
“Do you think he’ll come by?” Zane asked. “He likes you a lot.”
“I doubt it. Maybe I’m just being paranoid. He’ll think I went to visit my folks. My mom’s been known to whisk me away for a weekend.” I ignored his comment about Luke’s feelings. I had no intention of exploring that situation tonight.
“How would you feel about the two M’s staying here and keeping an eye on your place?” Zane suggested, changing the subject.
“Sure,” I agreed, adding, “I think I’ll call Luke, let him know I’m with my parents. That’ll take care of the car being here with me gone.” I hated the idea of lying to Luke, but had convinced myself I’d hurt him more by revealing the truth.
“Call him from my place.” Zane lifted my heavy, old-fashioned suitcase like it weighed next to nothing.
After a quick once-over, I realized there was nothing else for me to do. I’d already preset two timers on my table lamps, and now that Zane’s friends were staying, I felt more confident leaving my personal sanctuary.
Forty minutes later, we pulled up in front of a small, rundown four-plex. The place looked deserted, creepy. Regardless, I was relieved to escape the confining Corvette. I’d never seen Zane so withdrawn. He hadn’t appreciated my attempts at scanning his thoughts either, and my enjoyment over his protectiveness had vanished, to be replaced by the nagging thought I’d become his biggest burden.
I decided to stay quiet and out of his way. Considering the limited space in his apartment, it wouldn’t be easy. Vegas sounded better by the moment.
“You can take the bedroom. I’ll stay out here and keep watch.” He placed my luggage by the front door. Grateful I’d worn sweats, I could go to bed without disturbing anything.
“I appreciate you doing all this, but I can handle things. I could go to my parents,” I said, hating how feeble I sounded.
“We’ve already been through our options. The last thing you want is your parents in a standoff with mutant werewolves. Believe me, the bad guys will find a way to locate everyone who’s important to you.”
A fist of terror punched into my gut. “What do you mean? Should I warn my family? Friends?” I thought of Melanie.
“If they don’t register your scent or find you there, they’ll move on. I don’t think anyone wants this exploding in the media. Staying undetected is still a top priority for everyone involved. The consequences for revealing our existence to humans are … unpleasant.”
I decided not to ask for the extended version. After all, the sole consequence I was aware of didn’t leave room for any others. I’d defeated death more than once and had no intention of trying again. Still, there was one person I figured we could reach out to for added assurance.
“My stepdad’s a cop. Maybe we could trust him …”
“With what? The fact you’re running from a supernatural serial killer, a vengeful woman werewolf, and her mutant warriors, with your new werewolf companion?”
I hated to admit he was right. Bob was way too practical even to consider something as farfetched as ghosts and goblins, let alone monster-sized wolves howling at the moon. For my family, ignorance wasn’t bliss, but it was the safer choice.
“You never told me what other supernatural creatures exist.” I glanced at the window certain there were ferocious fiends hovering just beyond the glass.
I couldn’t seem to escape the vivid memory of Missy the Zebra’s ruthless assailant, blood drenching his face.
Seeing my discomfort, Zane closed the mismatched curtains. Considering his status in the pack, I was baffled by his sparse living arrangements. His car screamed of wealth, power, and prestige. These tiny quarters told a far different story.
Keeping a low profile was the explanation that made sense. I realized again how little I knew about my current companion. I wasn’t even sure what to refer to him as — coworker, life-saver, friend, boyfriend, veterinarian, werewolf buddy, future lover …
“Now you want a bedtime story about things that go bump in the night?” The corner of his mouth twitched like he was fighting the urge to smile. “Can I tuck you in too?” A full grin followed.
Thankful for another reprieve from thinking about what Zane meant to me, and relieved to see him back to his normal flirty self, I sunk into the worn sofa. “That depends on how good the stories are.”
Rather than responding with his usual sarcastic-laced enthusiasm, his smile vanished. He froze, listening.
Following his example, I turned my attention to anyone in the vicinity. After a few seconds, I was rewarded with several non-threatening images.
He’s not expecting us.
I hope he doesn’t mind we’re early. Zane isn’t one for surprises.
“I think your friends are here,” I whispered.
“They’re not trying to hide their presence, that’s for sure.” A loud crash confirmed Zane’s observation.
“Ouch!” Several curses followed.
Almost faster than my mind could register his movements, Zane opened the door and vanished. Laughter and friendly greetings broke the silence. I questioned how Mack and Michael had managed to arrive so fast. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to conclude that traditional travel methods weren’t a feasible option.
“I hate teleporting,” a smooth masculine voice answered my unspoken questions.
The explanation wasn’t what I’d expected.
“It was your idea,” either Mack or Mike chided the other.
“Nothing changes. Always bickering,” Zane chuckled. “You picked a great time to show up.”
“Ah, that’s right. You’re protecting the human woman …”
“I can hear you,” I called through the door, not wanting to listen while pretending I wasn’t. The way they said human was borderline insulting.
“She can hear in more ways than one,” Zane agreed, affirming my unique talents.
“I’m Mack,” a monstrous and very attractive man, with shoulder-length, blonde hair, announced. He filled the doorframe.
No wonder they called him Mack. He was built like a Mack Truck. Too bad the werewolves couldn’t form a professional football team.
Sensing my appraisal, Mack flashed a wide grin my direction.
“And I’m Michael. The. Younger. One,” he boasted, dodging his father’s grasp. The two looked more like brothers than father and son.
Zane shook his head, looking from one man to the other. “Need I say more?”
“Did someone say teleporting?” I pressed, ignoring Zane.
Mack glanced at Michael, who looked at Zane. How much does she know? Mack speculated without speaking.
“A lot,” I replied. “We were just starting our discussion on the wide range of existing supernatural creatures.”
Mack and Michael grinned, looking even more alike.
Zane glanced my way. “She’s a pushy one.”
I couldn’t let that comment go. “Hey! Who’s pushy?”
The two M’s sniggered. Zane scowled.
“I like a woman who knows what she wants,” said Mack with approval.
Zane tilted his head, tightening his lips into a hard line.
“Come on, man. We’re just playing. I forgot how fast you jump from fun and games to teasing and tormenting,” Mack scolded.
I determined right then that Mack would be an ally. By the way Zane glared his direction, I assumed he knew too.
Sensing a standoff, Michael joined in, “You want me to tell about the others?”
“Thank you. That’s what I wanted all along. Zane keeps topic hopping,” I teased, hoping to deflate the tension. It worked. In unison, the two older men inhaled and relaxed.
“If Zane doesn’t mind,” Mack said, head inclined, acknowledging his lesser status in the pack.
“Michael, feel free. Just don’t scare her,” Zane warned, refusing to meet my gaze.
“It’s not his fault if I’m scared. He’s not responsible for my reactions.” I tried to keep my voice steady. Zane’s overbearing manner was getting on my nerves.
“Michael’s storytelling skills are renowned,” said Zane.
“He’s trying to say I exaggerate,” Michael agreed sheepishly. “Anyway, first, let me ask you something.” He glanced at Zane for what I guessed was approval. Zane nodded. “What do y
ou think exists?”
Surprised by the question, I thought back to several scary movies I’d seen, without my parents’ permission of course. “Vampires, witches, goblins …”
“You’re doing great,” Michael grinned. “Go on.”
“Since there are werewolves and mutants, I’m guessing there might be other creatures, oh, what are they called?” I tried to remember the creatures that I’d read about in my study of Indian legends. “Shape shifters!” I yelled out as if we were playing monster charades.
“Real,” Zane confirmed, at last relaxing.
“What about angels and demons?” I wondered, hoping my biblical training wasn’t based on myth.
“The Bible is real. Remember, there are a number of additional books the Bible either references or alludes to, like the Book of Jasher and the Book of Enoch. If uncovered by humans, these ancient texts would expose the supernatural communities. In fact, the Bible talks about fallen angels, or sons of God and human woman creating a new race of giants. Many of us are offspring of those ancient races.”
Still confused, I felt more relieved knowing the Bible was true. There just happened to be additional information that was dispersed on a need-to-know basis.
“You doing okay?” Zane asked, looking apprehensive.
“Of course,” I fibbed, unwilling to halt the discussion because of Zane’s over protectiveness and my increasing squirminess. “Tell me about vampires,” I insisted.
“Let’s stick with vampire basics.” Michael glanced at Zane, who again nodded.
I was starting to see just how serious the werewolf hierarchy thing was. Zane held a powerful position in his pack. I assumed that Logan alone outranked him. Though, according to family history, Zane should be the alpha male. His grandfather, then his father had held those positions. Why not Zane? I understood those questions would have to wait until we were alone.
Noticing my companions’ stares, I agreed. “I’m ready for vampire 101.” All three werewolves chuckled. I wished my own species found me so amusing.
“The first vampires resulted from fallen angels copulating with human women. As I mentioned, they were just one of the many offspring from these illicit unions, often referred to as the Nephilim. For whatever reason, this finicky family line had no desire for traditional food sources. They craved blood. Human blood. This desire made them pretty unpopular with the others …”
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