I pulled jeans and a T-shirt on over it, ignoring the fact that the tail made my butt look deformed, and headed down to my studio. I spent a little time prepping the set and selecting backdrops for the calendar photos. I set up my tripod and searched around for my camera. I must’ve left it upstairs .
Still fatigued, I grabbed one of my backup cameras and was about to insert a clean memory card, but there was already one in the camera. A lightbulb went off. I knew why it was there. I’d used that camera for the shoot in the park .
I snatched the memory card and hurried into my office. Sure enough, as soon as the pictures loaded, the poodle in the park popped onto the screen. I slowly scanned each and every photograph with my heart pounding in my ears. I had no rational explanation for being so nervous but for some reason, I felt like the man who’d attacked me was going to burst into my studio at any second .
Close to the end of the collection, there he was. In the background, talking to another man and leaning against the cream colored SUV was the man who had attacked me at Mack’s. His face was turned almost directly towards the camera. The photo would both ID him and place him at the scene of the murder .
I printed out the picture, then enlarged the background section with him in it and printed that out, too. I saved everything to my computer before slipping both the card and the printed pictures into an envelope. I couldn’t wait to get to them to the Smith PD .
Keys in hand, I hustled to the door, but just as I reached it, in marched the girls. They all looked slightly sheepish. Muddy was leading the pack, wearing a headband with cat ears .
She noticed the keys in my hand and shook her head. “You look like you’re on your way out, but you’re not. You’re going nowhere. I need to get these pictures taken before I lose my nerve. I have pride, you know? This is pushing it .”
Charlie tried to disguise a laugh with a cough and cleared her throat. “You look amazing. You know you love the lingerie .”
She was right. It was the best lingerie I’d ever owned, even with the tail and ears. She made damn good stuff. But, I was in possession of evidence. I was holding the picture of a murderer in my hands .
“We all agreed to this.” Carter gestured to the teddy bear lingerie she wore. “This was the best we could come up with for bringing more business in this year, remember ?”
“I have to go out for just a bit.” My hands flexed around the envelope containing the card .
“No, no, no. We’re here and we’re doing this.” Muddy stripped off her dress put her hands on her hips. She actually resembled her animal so much with the stance that I was impressed and inspired .
The trip to Smith would have to wait an hour or two. I had she-beasts to photograph .
20
Raif
I spent the morning following up on a couple leads from the anonymous tip line. All dead ends .
I tried to remember a moment in the past decade when work hadn’t consumed life. There wasn’t one. Having a real life would be new to me. Denny was worth it and I was looking forward to making a life with her .
I still needed to keep my head on straight to protect her and put Moretti behind bars, but it was time to lay the cards out on the table and tell her how I really felt .
She deserved to know that I was all in. The assumptions she’d made the night before were way off. She was everything and I would move heaven and earth to be a good mate and keep the criminal element of my job from touching her .
When I returned to the B&B, it was empty. Where the hell was Denny? I checked my room upstairs. Empty. Fear thundered through my veins, my heart pounding with an ever-increasing sense of dread. Did they get to her ?
I fought visions of Denny, alone and frightened, her pretty brown eyes widened in horror as some fuckhead pointed a gun to her head. I knew all too well what Ricco Moretti was capable of. It wasn’t pretty. In my mind I pictured Denny tied, tortured, shot, lying dead in a ditch, in a shallow grave… all things victims of Ricco had endured .
She wouldn’t dare go to her studio because that would be the first place anyone who was after her would look. I had to check, though. I drove forty over the limit, white-knuckling the wheel the whole way. Tires screeching, I rounded the corner and slammed the brakes. There was a light on inside the studio and the peals of wild laughter spilled onto the street .
What. The . Fuck .
I yanked open the front door and stomped in. There was a lioness posing for pictures. Off to the side with a tiny furry bra draped over her larger than average bust line was a teddy bear chatting with a small woman with raven hair wearing nothing but a loincloth .
Behind the camera, Denny wore teeny-tiny lingerie, nothing more than little brown scraps of cloth. The bottom of her ass was exposed, and attached to the panties was a little bushy tail so similar to Denny’s real tail that it must have been designed by someone who’d seen the real thing .
I was furious. Livid. What the hell did she think she was doing? How could she be so careless ?
Like she sensed I was close, Denny turned and met my gaze. Her eyes were glowing and she looked shocked to see me. It didn’t take long for her to notice my anger .
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” My voice shook with rage .
“Uh, taking pictures. It’s my job .”
“I told you to stay at the B&B! What the fuck, Denny, you could have been killed !”
“I know what you said, but you’re not the boss of me .”
“The boss—do you know what could have happened to you? Do you? I once found one of Ricco Moretti’s victims beaten so badly she was unrecognizable. Before she was decapitated .”
“Well, I’m still here in one piece. Head still attached .”
Her attitude was getting to me. She grabbed something from a table beside her and marched over thrusting an envelope at me. “Here. Now you can scuttle off to whatever rock you crawled out from .”
I opened it and observed the contents of the envelope. My brain instantly went into cop mode. It was the evidence I’d been hoping for. I folded the envelope and shoved it into my back pocket .
We’d drawn her friends over. They were a few yards from us, watching. More than one looked like they were ready to shift into their animals and rip my head off .
I ignored them and pulled Denny closer .
That just seemed to anger her. She fought against me and managed to break free. Jabbing me in the chest with her finger, she shook her head .
“Oh, no you don’t, Mister .”
The sound of a large engine revving and burning out as it accelerated drew my attention. I turned to see a large metallic gray Ford F-450 with tinted windows speeding past. As I watched, the passenger window rolled down and a dark object emerged .
Like a fucking nightmare, I watched as a flash lit up the end of the object. I reacted instantly, tackling Denny to the floor and covering her with my body. Gunshots blared, glass shattered, more screams. I hoped the other women had reacted fast enough to get down. Time moved in slow motion as shot after shot rang out like it would never end .
Denny shook under me and her cries with each shot were like their own bullets to my chest. She was terrified and it took every bit of control I had not to hop in my truck and chase after the vehicle. I had to stay with Denny. She’d need me .
After the shooting ended, I looked around to make sure the threat was gone and climbed off Denny. There was blood all over her chest that made my heart stop. I felt all the color drain from my face and fell to my knees .
“Denny! Fucking tell me you’re okay.” I ran my hands over her chest and shoulders, trying to find the wound .
“I—I’m fine, Raif. It’s not my blood. It’s yours. You’re hurt.” Her voice was weak and she was panting. She was shaky as she climbed to her feet, tears spilling freely from her eyes .
There was a stinging pain in my arm, but it wasn’t bad. “I’m fine, Denny. I’m okay.” I examined my wound but sure enough, it was superfic
ial. The bullet only grazed me .
She threw her arms around my neck and cried into my shoulder. I wrapped my good arm around her waist and buried my face in her hair, fucking thankful that she was okay. Seeing her covered in blood was like a knife to my heart. Nothing could happen to her. What had I done? I brought this to her door. I’d almost ruined her. I’d almost fucking ruined her .
21
Denny
M y heart was going to pound its way out of my chest. Raif had a gash on his arm leaking blood. Besides that, he looked okay. I bent over at the waist and sucked in a few deep breaths .
“Are y’all okay?” Muddy’s head lifted from her face down position on the ground .
Horrified that I hadn’t thought of them yet, I jerked upright and ran to them. One by one they stood brushing off bits of tempered glass, and looking shocked and dazed. “ Anyone hurt ?
Sonnie stood with her arm across her bare chest. “What the fuck was that ?”
Charlie was pulling a T-shirt on over her bra. “A drive-by in Helen’s Corner? Unbelievable .”
“Shooting at Denny and her mate.” Muddy pointed out .
Raif held me in front of his chest, his back to the street, still shielding me, and took charge. “Everyone, get dressed. Go right home. I doubt anything else will happen tonight, but just in case .”
“What about you and Denny?” Muddy wasn’t accustomed to taking orders and it showed, even in a moment of panic .
“We’re going to go to Smith. We’ll stop at the police station to file a report and then stay in the city tonight. Denny can update you tomorrow .”
I held up my hand and shook my head. “I can just stay here .”
“No, he’s right. You should go with him, Denny. Someone just shot at you. You need protection .”
Charlie raised her hand and frowned. “Why are people shooting at you ?”
Muddy helped hand out clothes. “I’ll explain everything .”
I stood there, half in shock, watching my friends gather their things and go. They hugged me, careful to avoid the blood. Raif waited while I threw on my jeans and T-shirt over my costume .
We climbed in his truck which had miraculously remained unscathed, and headed toward the city. Only when we were almost at the police station did I realize I hadn’t grabbed a change of clothes .
“I’ll have to go back to my place tonight. I don’t have clothes to change into .”
Raif shook his head. “You’re not going back tonight. It’s too dangerous .”
“And what am I supposed to wear ?”
He pulled into a parking spot and shut the truck off. “I don’t know, Denny. I’m not concerned about your clothing. I’m more concerned with keeping you alive .”
My anger renewed itself and I got out and slammed the door. I hated being bullied and strong-armed by a man .
He took my arm and pulled me alongside him into the police station. Heads turned our way but Raif didn’t seem to notice or care. He pulled me into a bathroom at the back of the station and rudely kicked a younger guy out before locking the door. He grabbed me and held me tightly .
“What are you doing ?”
He leaned down and pressed his lips to mine. It was an unexpectedly gentle kiss that took my breath away and confused my anger. When he pulled back, his hazel eyes were glowing. “My wolf just needed to make sure you’re okay .”
I cleared my throat and took a step back. “Can I clean up your arm and make sure you’re okay?” He shrugged out of his shirt and leaned against the sink. I used paper towels to wash the blood away until I could see that the skin around the gash was angry, but it was already starting to heal, thanks to his shifter blood. “You were pretty angry at me , huh ?”
He sighed. “I was scared, and not a whole lot scares me .”
“I guess I can understand your anger seeing as how we got shot at tonight and all.” He chuckled, then hung his head and blew out a deep breath .
“Denny, what you said last night. Those things about me rejecting you. It was never like that. I was never rejecting you. And I see you. I see how beautiful and kind and wonderful you are. I never, ever, not for one second thought you weren’t good enough. But, you deserve a mate who won’t bring this shit to you, Denny .”
“Are you going to leave again?” I had to ask it. I needed to know .
“I shouldn’t be with you, Denny. You’re never going to be safe as long as I am .”
“Don’t do it, Raif. Don’t be stupid. We’re mates. We’re meant to be together .”
“Maybe in a different life. One where you wouldn’t be put in harm’s way because of me.” He pressed a kiss to my forehead and gently pushed me away. “It’s for you own good .”
I turned away and wiped my eyes before he could see tears. I wasn’t going to beg . “Fine .”
“It’s for you .”
I nodded . “Sure .”
“Denny.” He grabbed my arm and turned me back to face him. “It doesn’t mean I don’t want you .”
I nodded again. “That’s good. That’ll keep me warm on a cold, lonely nights .”
“ Denny — ”
“Shouldn’t we go file that report?” I pulled away from him and unlocked the bathroom door before pushing it open. “Coming ?”
He pulled his shirt back on and ran his fingers through his hair . “Yeah .”
I just hoped that I could hold myself together until I got somewhere private. I wanted to cry and feel sorry for myself. I definitely did not want to sit in a police station with my mate who was like all the other men I’d ever known. Intimidating, tyrannical, and then , gone .
22
Raif
T he motel had bugs. I saw the horror on Denny’s face when a cockroach scurried across the floor in front of her. I couldn’t say I wasn’t disgusted myself, but the motel was inconspicuous, allowed me to pay cash, and the front desk asked no questions. No one would find her there .
I took a quick shower and stretched out on bed staring at the ceiling. My feet hung off the end and there was a spring stabbing into my back, but it was a bed. I’d slept on worse .
Denny took a shower after me and I heard a yelp halfway through her shower, then a lot of cursing. Must have found another cockroach. When she came back into the room, she was wearing just the tiny bra and panty set, complete with tail. My dick turned into steel. I groaned and covered my face with my hands .
She got under the covers and wigged around getting comfortable. Even in the king size bed, I could feel her close to me. Despite her body heat, she managed to convey an icy chill. I wanted to comfort her, but I knew better .
I had to ball my hands into fists to keep from touching her. “This is killing me, Denny .”
“You sound alive to me .”
Yeah, she fucking hated me. Honestly, it was probably better that she did. Hating me would ensure her a quiet, happy life in Helen’s Corner .
“They think the evidence you provided will crack the case. They’re running the photos through the national facial recognition database to find out who Anthony Waters really is. That, and the testimony from Mack should do it. I’m going to follow up with it in the morning .”
“That’s great .”
“I’ll take you back to your apartment in the morning and I’ve arranged for officers to be assigned to you 24 /7 .”
“Fabulous .”
“You’ll be safe that way .”
“From the bad guys or from you ?”
“Goddammit, Denny. I’m trying to do the right thing .”
“Right thing for who, jerkwad ?”
“You don’t talk like that to anyone else. Did you know that ?”
She froze and was quiet for a few seconds. Then, she sat up in bed and flipped her hair. “How should I talk? Like, oh, my god, Raif, please stay? You want to leave, leave. Goodbye and good riddance. Don’t let the door hit ya’ where the good lord split ya ’.”
“Jesus.” I sat up and leaned against the h
eadboard. “You have a mouth on you .”
“Yeah, well, I’m over you already. I’m going to sleep. Try not to wake me up with your massive snoring .”
Pain ate at me until I couldn’t remain beside her anymore. I climbed out of bed and headed for the door. “I’ll sleep outside .”
I sat on the cement outside the room, my back against the cold concrete of the motel, and let my head hang down while I gulped in big breaths of cool night air. I wanted her so bad, but I couldn’t do it to her. I couldn’t commit her to a life of danger .
I lifted my head to find the moon but the cloud coverage was thick that night. I could sense it overhead, but I couldn’t see it. Closing my eyes, I wondered what kind of man I’d be without her. A broken one, my wolf screamed at me. I knew he was right, just like I knew he’d never be okay .
My wolf howled painfully, but I had to leave her. It was selfish to stay and I was willing to live with the consequences if it meant that she wouldn’t have to suffer .
As soon as the sun started coming up, Denny emerged from the room showered and dressed .
“I’m ready to go home now .”
I stood up and stretched. I felt like shit. I needed a giant cup of coffee and more Tylenol than was advisable to take. “Give me a second .”
I went to the bathroom and took care of things while listening to her angry mumbles from the other room. It would’ve made me smile if they weren’t directed at me .
I grabbed my keys and phone from my nightstand. “I’m going to run by the police station before driving you home .”
“If you’re going to leave me in the care of someone else, why don’t you just let them drive me home ?”
Wolf Detective Page 8