“Thanks.” She patted his chest.
“You’re mine to protect now.” The soft growl in his voice told her the Wolf was once more peeking through his control. As new as he was, she was surprised it wasn’t happening more, but Jim was turning out to have awesome self-control. “That means I worry when I sense something is wrong.”
The unknown cat scent was almost completely gone. “Whoever he was, he’s gone now.”
Jim still seemed tense, so she petted his chest, hoping to calm him. “My attacker might not be one of us. I was told there were no witnesses to who did this to me, just someone who called 9-1-1 from a payphone. Gabe never found out who it was.” She didn’t remember much of that night, just pain, pain and more pain. “But Gabe told me that other half-breeds had been attacked in the same way and left for dead.”
The tension in Jim went to DEFCON 1. “Oh really?”
“Yes.” His tension was making her afraid. She glanced behind her, but there was nothing there to see. It was just another sweet summer night in her favorite town. “You don’t think…?”
“Have you sensed anything around you since you got out of the hospital?”
She shook her head. “Nope. There was the stuff with Tabby and her attacker, but nothing came of that. Not that I know of, anyway. Then Cyn was hurt, but that had more to do with Tabby than Cyn. And Hope has nothing to do with it at all.”
He took a deep breath. “We need to talk to Gabe then. I want to make sure your attackers are long gone.”
“We can do that. I know between his Hunter duties, his mate, his status as Second and being sheriff he’s been swamped. Want me to call and set something up?”
Jim stared at her, and his tone when he answered was neutral. “Sure.”
“Friends.” She pinched his cheeks. “Friends,” she drawled, hoping to get him to laugh.
He pulled away with a grunt. “I believe you, I just…”
“Can’t stand Gabe?”
He rolled his eyes. “I can take him or leave him. In a ditch. Full of fire ants.”
“You’re mean.” But she snuggled closer, secretly pleased her mate was jealous, even if it was over nothing. The fact that he hated that she’d spent time with Gabe meant there was more to his feelings than the pull of his Wolf. He’d reacted poorly to Gabe’s presence in her life long before he’d been bit. It had been getting Jim to see they were meant for each other that had been difficult.
“Don’t be too pleased with your little redheaded self. We’re still going to discuss the attack on you.” He humph’d, sounding so much like an old man she had to hold back yet another laugh. “Until we figure out who it was I consider you still in danger. If that means I have to make nice to Gabe I will.”
“I try not to think about it too much.” She sighed. This was so romantic. “Julian offered to try and help me recover memories of my attacker that might be buried, but the effort to do so would be dangerous for both of us.”
“Then no. Not unless it’s the only thing left we can try.” He stopped dead and took her face between his palms. “You’ve hurt enough, Chloe. No more.”
“No more,” she whispered back, enthralled by his golden Wolf eyes.
He nodded and took her back under his arm, right where she wanted to be. “So, what say we head back to the car. You’re looking tired, and I have work in the morning.”
“Aw.” She pouted up at him. “Really?”
Jim hugged her tight and kept walking. “Really. But as first dates go, this was the best one I’ve ever been on.”
“Liar.” She snuggled against him. “Awkward conversations, possible stalkers, pining and jealousy. Admit it. It was more like an episode of 902 No No.”
The belly laugh made it all worth it.
“Damn, I am so glad you agreed to do this.” Jim hugged the blonde tightly, so happy he could cry.
The blonde’s throaty laugh was wicked. “Yes, well, I love it when a man gets on his knees and begs.”
Jim laughed, almost giddy with relief. “What can I say? I was desperate.” He let her go and gestured toward his office. “Care to finalize everything?”
“Hell yes.” Dr. Irene Boone winked, her eyes sparkling with pleasure. She followed him enthusiastically, practically skipping along as she took in the clinic with an expert’s gaze. “I’ve been dying to move back to Halle, and now that I’ve convinced Val, I finally get to do so.”
Jim held open the door to his office, nodding to Phil, the vet tech who manned the front desk. Phil was a nice kid, but he was also something of a gossip. Hopefully word would get around that Dr. Woods had a new partner at the clinic, one who was homegrown.
He shut the door and took a seat behind his desk. “You ready for the final stages of the legal paperwork?”
She nodded and sat across from him. “I have curtains picked out and everything.”
He laughed and opened the folder on his desk. “Man, it will be sweet having a partner again.”
“I can imagine.” She leaned back and folded her legs, the picture of perfection. If he’d been single and she’d been straight, he might have been tempted to make a play for her.
But he’d long ago given his heart to his little vixen, and Irene had a fiery Italian diva waiting for her at home who’d kill anyone who looked sideways at her girl. “Speaking of partners, how is Val?”
That wicked smile came back instantly. “Spicy.”
“We need to get together for dinner so we can introduce Val—and you, of course—to Chloe.” He signed his name at the bottom of the last of the documents naming Irene as his new partner, then shoved them across the desk at her.
She picked up the pen and signed as well. “Hell, we both know that Val pretty much runs my life.” She put the pen down and closed the folder. “Don’t doubt for a single second it will be any different with you and your Chloe.”
He could hardly wait. “We’re taking it slow.”
She scowled. “Jim, can I be totally honest with you?”
“Sure.” He and Irene had become friends while she worked on convincing Valerie Forza, her personal force of nature, to move back to Irene’s hometown.
“Slow sucks. Bang her like a cheap storm door.”
“Is that what you did to win Val?” He had to bite back a laugh. For all Irene looked like she should be on the cover of Vogue, she spoke more like a guy in a bar.
“Strap-ons are God’s gift to lesbians.” She put her hands together and glanced upward, so sweet and innocent looking she’d give Hello Kitty lovers cavities.
Pfft. As if there was anything saintly about Irene Boone.
“Uh-huh. I want to hear Val’s side of this one.” It was sure to be a doozy too. He’d only met Val once, but it was enough to figure out the woman was a whirlwind of sugar and vinegar. Irene had her hands full with that one.
“Would I lie to you?”
Big, innocent blue eyes blinked at him, and he had the urge to laugh in her face. “Yes.”
There went that rogue’s smile again. Jim could understand how the volatile Val had fallen for the charming, naughty Irene. “Trust me on this one, Jimmy. If your Chloe is anything like my Val, slow won’t do at all. You need to swoop in before someone else comes along and snatches her away from you.”
“Won’t happen.” How to explain the bond between shifters, when he barely understood it himself? “She’s loved me for a long time, and it hasn’t gone away despite my shoving her away. She’s loyal in ways I didn’t understand until recently.”
“Is she doing better? I know you were worried about her.”
Funny, Irene was one of the few people he’d confessed his feelings to. They’d gotten along well from the moment she answered the ad he’d placed for a new partner in his practice. “She thinks she’s as good as she’s going to get, and that bothers her more than she says.”
>
“Hmm.” She shook her head. “It’s going to take a while to get her self-esteem back where it was.”
He tilted his head, utterly confused. “I’m sorry?”
“Think about it for a minute. She had the world at her feet, and now she’s the one kneeling.”
“Chloe doesn’t kneel for anything or anyone. Not even her disability.” His Wolf snarled, forcing Jim to take a deep, calming breath before he accidentally outed himself. “She’s strong. She’ll have the world at her feet again.” And if not, she’d have to take one possessive, newbie Wolf who was more than willing to take that spot.
“Good for her, if it’s true.” She shrugged when he scowled. “Look, I haven’t met her, but anyone who has been through what she has—and lost what she has—is going to have issues I can’t even begin to imagine. Is she seeing a therapist?”
“Yes.” That wasn’t quite correct. Chloe was seeing the Pride Omega, Sarah Anderson, once a week to deal with the lingering side effects of her beating. She hadn’t told him how those visits were going, but it might take a while before she felt comfortable enough with him to open up to that extent. As the Omega, Sarah could feel the emotional well-being of her Pridemates. As Chloe and her family were considered Pride, she could sense Chloe’s emotions as well as soothe them when Chloe became upset.
Jim wished he could be there for their sessions, but until he was invited he wouldn’t dare intrude. By doing so he could actually hurt Chloe’s recovery rather than help.
“I’m glad to hear that. Maybe she wouldn’t mind getting together for lunch?”
He’d have to ask first. “She still has speech problems when she’s uncomfortable.”
“Then Val and I will just have to make sure she feels the lurve.” Irene waggled her brows, making Jim laugh. She stood, grabbing hold of the folder. “Want me to drop this off at the lawyer’s?”
“Sure. Let’s get this filed and official.” He stood as well and held out his hand. “Welcome home, Doc.”
“It’s good to be back, Doc.” Instead of shaking, she hugged him tightly. “And thanks for helping convince Val she’d love it here.”
Jim patted her back. “You’re welcome.” He pulled back but held on to her upper arms. “Did you find a place to stay?”
“Yes, Daddy.” Irene rolled her eyes. “Val even let me have the top bunk.”
“Fine, I’ll stop nagging.” Jim let her go.
“It’s just how you are. You worry about everyone, and I like that about you.” Irene winked and opened the office door. “See you on Monday?”
“Looking forward to it.” Jim watched his new partner leave, relieved that he’d finally, finally be getting a break. With Irene in place he’d be able to take off every other weekend, and some weeknights as well. They’d share the load, and he’d be able to concentrate more on his mate.
He couldn’t wait to introduce Chloe to Irene and Valerie. He bet they were going to love one another on sight.
Chapter Six
“Your left hand won’t get any better. Unfortunately, from the latest tests we’ve done, we’re looking at some degeneration in your right hand as well.”
Chloe closed her eyes as the neurologist gave her the bad news. “Why?”
He put her patient folder down on the counter by the sink all doctor’s offices had. It was the same beige and white color scheme, the same non-offensive artwork, the same speckled white and green tiles on the floor. Always the same room, just different locations and different doctors. “The trauma you suffered was severe. Nerves were damaged, and now that time has passed and you’ve healed, we’re starting to see some of the secondary effects.”
The tingling and numbness was nothing new, but the pain she’d been experiencing recently was. Neuropathy. Yet another fun word to add to her growing list of ailments.
She blew out a breath, refusing to allow this latest setback to get her down. “What do we boo?”
“We can start you on a round of medications that will deal with the pain. There are quite a few that have been effective, mostly low-dosage antidepressants. I think that may be the best place to start.”
“Wonderful.” She clenched her right fist. While she was able to close her hand all the way, the pain when she did so made her wince.
“The pins and needles sensations you’ve been feeling down your right leg should also begin to subside with the treatment.”
She nodded, relieved. “That’s something, at least.”
“Trust me. The news could have been much worse.” The neurologist smiled. “You haven’t developed fibromyalgia yet, from what we’ve been able to determine. And the tests indicate that your left side has stabilized. We shouldn’t see any more degeneration there, but we’ll continue to monitor it just to be on the safe side.” The doctor put his hand on her knee. “I know this is tough for you, but really, it could have been a great deal worse.”
Chloe smiled faintly, still staring at her clenched fist. “I know.” And she owed all of that to Julian, who’d saved her life. “Any exercises?”
“Try and keep your muscle tone. Listen to your body. If it tells you that you’ve pushed too hard, then you have. Continue working with the stress ball for your left hand, and if you notice any problems with your left leg or hip contact me immediately.”
“Can I drive?”
He thought about that for a moment. “If you’re experiencing any dizziness from the medications or if your leg starts to have spasms, then no. Honestly, I’d take it day to day. You’re walking well, you’re not having seizures, and you’re not blacking out, so I don’t see why you shouldn’t be able to do whatever you want.”
She was relieved. Having to rely on her family to get around was beginning to wear on her. “Thanks, Doc.”
“You’re welcome.” The doctor stood and helped her off the examination table. “I’ll see you again in about six months to reevaluate. If you have any trouble with the meds, call me and I’ll see you sooner than that.”
“Okay.” Chloe picked up her purse, ready to join Glory in the waiting room.
The doctor waved as he left, and Chloe followed, going left into the waiting room. “Hey, all done.”
Glory put down her magazine and stood, her bangles jingling merrily. “How did it go?”
Chloe shrugged and went to the window where the receptionist sat. “I need an appointment for six months from now, and the doc is printing me out a prescription.” Chloe set up the appointment and took her prescription, thanking the receptionist as they left. “I’ve got some nerve damage that’s affecting my right side.”
“And the hits just keep on coming,” Glory sighed. “Let me know if there’s anything you need.”
Chloe hugged her soon-to-be sister-in-law. “Thanks.”
“We’re family, right?” Glory hugged her back. “Come on. I’m thinking this calls for a burger and a big-ass fudge sundae, am I right?”
Chloe whined deep in the back of her throat, earning a grin from Glory.
Glory plucked both her keys and her cell phone from her woven straw purse. “Ryan? Chloe and I are going to Frank’s.” She paused, then laughed. “Yes, I’ll pick you up some pie. What are you boys doing for lunch?” Her eyes rounded, and she laughed. “Well then. Have fun. Bye.”
“What is my brother cup to?” Chloe settled into the passenger seat of Glory’s small hybrid coupe. The car was quirky-looking yet practical, just like its owner.
“Minding the store while the parental units visit Jimmy.”
Chloe blinked, her spider senses tingling. “Oh?”
“Yup.” Glory pulled out of the parking lot of the doctor’s office and headed toward Main Street and Frank’s. “Uncle Will and Aunt Barb, your mom and dad, Uncle Ray and Aunt Stacey—”
“Oh, Jeebus.” Chloe put her head in her hands, laughing hysterically as Glory pulled int
o Frank’s parking lot. “They’re nailing his ass to the wall, aren’t they?”
Glory nodded gleefully. “Damn straight. And about time too.”
“Didn’t Alex and Ryan already do that?”
“Yeah, but rumor has it the rest of the family isn’t satisfied and want to hear it from Jimbo himself.” Glory parked the car and turned it off. “Don’t worry. They won’t hurt him. Much.”
“Uh-huh.” Chloe and Glory got out of the car and headed into the wonderful, beautiful air conditioning of Frank’s. “Oh my God, it’s like nine bazillion degrees out there.”
“Wait. You’re not worried about your whole family ganging up on Jim?” Glory slid onto a bench at one of the retro tables. Frank’s was set up like one of those old-time fifties diners, with laminate and metal tables, big vinyl benches with padded backs, and a soda fountain counter. He even had a pie display set up, filled with his famous pies. Chloe’s mouth watered just looking at the lemon meringue.
“Nope. They won’t hurt him. They’re just going to talk really loudly at him.” At least that’s what she hoped. Alex and Ryan had already confronted Jim, so no doubt the others would take their cues from them.
All right. Eric scared her a little bit. He was crazy protective, and if he thought for even one moment that Jim wasn’t acting up to his expectations Eric would maim him in a heartbeat. But he wasn’t going to be there…right? “Maybe I should call Uncle Will and tell him to leave Eric at home.”
“Already taken care of. I told Ryan to keep an eye on his cray-cray cousin.” Glory grinned and took the menus the waitress held out. “Can I have a mocha milkshake?”
“I’ll have Spite.” Chloe waited for the waitress to ask, but she just wrote it down and left them with their menus. Chloe opened hers, ready and willing to pig out. “Ooh, cheese fries.”
“A girl after my own heart attack.” Glory winked. “So. About my wedding.”
Chloe hid behind her menu.
“Now, now. You know you’re in my wedding party.” Glory patted the menu until Chloe lowered it. “And I promise not to put you in anything that will embarrass you too much.”
Figure of Speech (Halle Shifters) Page 6