by Terry Spear
"Find a place a good five miles--at least--from here to hunt," Hunter added.
They both glared at him and continued walking.
Hunter searched for clues to where the gray wolf had been, the trails he had taken, any evidence he had gotten into a vehicle that left tire tracks behind. Although as a wolf, the lupus garou could travel a great distance, his thick coat protecting him from the cold. Hunter located several paths the gray had walked, found where the agitated hunter had paced, snagged strands of gray fur on a couple of branches, rubbed his scent on several trees.
Was he a rogue or did he live with a pack? The fact he had a key to Tessa's place didn't fit. Was he someone she knew? Another one of Michael's friends? Or one of hers?
Not locating the intruder, Hunter assumed he was sleeping off his nighttime activities, and he would be back again tonight. What if Hunter moved Tessa somewhere else? Somewhere safe? But where? If he had a place, he could relocate her there. He didn't have a clue where it could be though.
"Hunter?" Tessa hollered from deep in the woods.
Hell. Didn't he tell her to stay with Rourke at the house? He hurried toward her voice.
"Hunter?"
"Coming!" Then he heard them. Two sets of footfalls. They had better be Rourke's and Tessa's.
When he saw them, the adrenaline rush began to drain off.
Rourke looked annoyed and out of breath.
Her frown fading, Tessa seemed guardedly relieved, her hair blowing in the breeze, her skin glowing with the cold, her full red lips pouting, begging to be kissed. "I was so worried about you. We heard the gunfire and I told Rourke how Ashton had shot you. We thought maybe he'd killed you this time."
"Take more than that to get rid of me. We couldn't have that now, could we? Not until I can at least locate Bethany's real murderer and put him behind bars." Hunter managed a smile as he wrapped his arm around Tessa and walked her back home.
She felt warm and soft and his thoughts shifted to dangerous notions of getting naked in bed with her. He attributed some of his feelings to wanting to claim her in front of her old high-school boyfriend. Some of his problem was just being attracted to the minx--more than he thought he'd ever been toward any woman, either human or lupus garou. He kept telling himself it was just because she'd rescued him from the beach, and it was nothing more than appreciating the tender care she'd given him. On the other hand, he might have often felt this way toward women. Hell, maybe he was a real Casanova.
"He's the guy you're hiring to look into this?" Rourke asked, his voice incredulous.
"Yeah. He's an ex-Navy SEAL." She looked up at Hunter with adoring eyes.
He thought she was playing her role a little too obviously.
"A Navy SEAL?" Rourke looked sick again.
"Yep." She patted Hunter's arm. "Can't you tell by the great shape he's in?"
"Why is he an ex-Navy SEAL?"
"He got tired of being away from home, the secret missions, unable to settle down and start a family, right, Hunter?"
Rourke watched them like an investigative reporter looking for another juicy story.
Hunter sighed deep inside. He didn't like making up tales that were too far from the truth, but then again, what if his cover of being an ex-Navy SEAL put the fear of God in the sheriff and his bad seed? It didn't hurt for Rourke to think so either. Hunter imagined the word would soon get out about his "former occupation" since Rourke was a reporter. Hmm, then he would probably investigate him. One good thing about being an undercover operative--Rourke couldn't learn anything.
"Hunter..." Rourke waited for a last name.
Hunter knew only that he was a gray lupus garou. Wolf? Grey?
Grey. That rang a bell. Not quite right, but it would do.
"Grey. And we haven't been properly introduced."
Tessa's eyes widened as she stared at Hunter and she missed a step. He tightened his hold on her. Wishing he had better news, he gave her a subtle shake of his head, warning her he didn't know for sure.
"Rourke Thornburg," the reporter offered and stuck his hand out.
Hunter gave his hand a firm shake, firm enough to let him know the power behind the man.
Rourke's eyes watered and he quickly pulled his hand away. Message received.
Tessa pursed her lips. "Did you see the man who was shooting in the woods?"
"There were two of them. I told them to find game somewhere else, farther north."
"They must have loved you," Rourke said, chuckling.
"They didn't argue and moved along."
"Thanks," Tessa said. "But I don't expect you to chase off all the idiot hunters in the area and risk them shooting you accidentally."
"They're too close to your--" As soon as they came into view of the house, Hunter saw the back door standing wide open. He felt Tessa crumple slightly against him. Tightening his hold on her, he knew she wouldn't have left the house unlocked. The intruder was once again warning them he could come and go as he pleased. Maybe not such a beta after all.
Rourke's chill-bitten cheeks instantly lost their red color. "I saw you lock the door."
"Someone's got a key." Tessa's voice shook.
Hunter gave her a reassuring squeeze, but until he could eliminate the threat, nothing he did would alleviate her concern and for good reason. The stalker was a real danger.
Rourke rubbed his gloved hands. "Who?"
"We don't know. Ashton maybe. But whoever it was got in last night when I went to get firewood from the beach," she said.
"Ashton?" Rourke asked.
"No," Hunter said, not wanting Tessa to fear the wrong man. "Someone else. Wait here with Tessa. I'll check out the place first."
Tessa looked like she had a million questions to ask Hunter, but with Rourke here, the inquisition would have to wait. Hunter stalked inside, monitoring Rourke and Tessa's conversation as he checked the rooms.
"Why didn't you tell me about this?" Rourke asked Tessa on the porch, sheltered from the sleet and wind.
"Hunter was here. He can take care of it."
"Hunter was here all night?" Rourke asked, his tone not hiding his surprise or irritation.
Hunter couldn't help smiling, figuring Tessa hadn't meant to let it slip. Good to let Rourke know he had no chance with her.
"Good thing that he was."
Glad she felt he was an asset despite the fact he hadn't gotten rid of the stalker, Hunter smelled the bastard's scent where he had rolled on Tessa's sheets again. Hunter growled low.
"And the window he was boarding up?" Rourke asked Tessa.
"The intruder broke it."
"Hell, Tessa, you should never have said you were going to locate the killer and clear Michael's name."
Headed back down the hall, Hunter stopped in his footsteps, not believing Tessa would say that to a reporter. Then again, he could, as angry as he imagined she'd been.
"Did you print the interview?" she asked, her voice accusing.
"Damn right I did. Best news I've had in a long time. But I didn't think anyone else was guilty of the crime except your brother so I didn't believe there was anything to worry about. If I had thought differently, I would never have printed that story."
Hunter wanted to kill the reporter.
"All clear," Hunter said, rejoining them on the back patio. He gave both Tessa and Rourke a hard look. "Looks like nothing's been disturbed." At least as far as he would let Tessa know for now. The gray had returned to find out where Hunter had slept for the night and returned to mark his claim to Tessa. Sorry to disappoint him. "What's this about an interview?"
Tessa swore Hunter had the hearing of a cat, although she had hoped he hadn't heard what Rourke revealed about the interview. "I was angry." Not that she felt she had any need to explain the way she felt to Hunter.
Did he remember anything more about his past? She knew Grey wasn't his real name. Not if the way he had shaken his head at her earlier was any indication of the truth of the matter. She only wished Rour
ke would go away soon so she could ask Hunter what else he had recalled and why he was so certain the intruder wasn't Ashton.
A shiver crawled up her spine. She felt she could deal with knowing it was Ashton, but if it was a total stranger... No, it had to be someone she knew because he had a key. But still, not knowing who made it more frightening.
Rourke pulled off his wet coat and handed it to Tessa. "I'm staying for dinner."
Her mouth dropped. Now, she remembered why the guy had been an on-again/off-again boyfriend in her youth. He decided things for her, which were not in her best interests. She meant to remind him the electricity was off, but Hunter cut in.
"Sounds good. Why don't you stay the night, too?"
Tessa glared at Hunter. Of all the damned nerve!
Ignoring her threatening look, Hunter continued, "The roads are too slick. You might not get very much farther down the road and be in the same predicament. If you got injured, we wouldn't be able to forgive ourselves."
Her mouth gaped open. The thing was, Hunter was right. But whose house was it anyway? Shouldn't she have a say?
For the first time since the two men had met, Rourke seemed to change his attitude about Hunter. He gave him a serious nod. She could tell he was damned thrilled to get Lord Hunter's invitation for the slumber party.
She hung up Rourke's coat on a wooden peg near the back door. "You know, guys, it would be nice to ask the hostess her opinion. The electricity's still not on and--"
"I'll fix the food," Hunter said, and before she could object further, he added, "Rourke won't mind cleaning the dishes afterwards." He gave Rourke a conspirator's wink.
"Not at all," Rourke said, jumping in, ensuring he got a bed for the night.
"I might not have enough food to eat for the three of us, especially since we have to cook so primitively."
"I saw a tenderloin roast in the freezer. Looked to be big enough for the three of us."
She scowled at Hunter. "What if I was saving that for--"
"I'll buy you another. A couple more."
Hell, he didn't even have the clothes on his back. How was he going to replenish her fridge?
"I'll buy you another, too," Rourke said, cheerfully.
She groaned inwardly. She wasn't winning this battle. But she realized Hunter wasn't worried about Rourke's welfare, so much as he was about hers. Her irritation melted some.
"So," Rourke said, taking a seat on the couch, "I'm an only child, Tessa has a brother. What about you, Hunter? Have any siblings?"
Hunter cast Tessa a look, and then started working on building up the dwindling fire. "A sister."
Ohmigod, he remembered who he was? Maybe he did have enough money to buy her another roast. But did he have a girlfriend or wife?
"I've never seen you around town before. Where did the two of you hook up?"
"The beach," both Hunter and Tessa said at the same time.
Rourke laughed. "Figures, being he's a Navy SEAL. Ex-Navy SEAL, rather."
"That's what I thought," Tessa said, under her breath. Having Rourke stay the evening when it was barely afternoon was going to make for an incredibly long day and night. "I suppose I have to feed everyone lunch also."
"How about tuna fish sandwiches?" Hunter suggested.
Jeez, when did he take an inventory of her food?
"Then you can make a list of all the men who have been in the house over the last few months."
"You mean Michael's friends," she said, spearing Hunter a dark look.
"Any male, Tessa, who has been in the house for the last few months. Deliverymen, repairmen, anyone."
"Old boyfriends," she said, sarcastically as she proceeded to the kitchen.
"Yeah, all of those, too."
"None of them should have had a key to the place." She yanked two cans of tuna fish out of the cabinet.
The doorbell rang and her heart hitched. Rourke announced, "Sheriff's here."
Tessa accidentally dropped the can opener on the kitchen floor and swore under her breath. She'd hoped the bad weather would keep him at bay a while longer.
She hurried into the living room, but Hunter was already nose to nose with the sheriff at the front door.
Chapter 5
HUNTER GLOWERED EVERY BIT AS FEROCIOUSLY AT THE sheriff as he did back, but he couldn't quit thinking about Tessa and her interview with that jackass reporter. How could Rourke have printed her threat? What an imbecile.
Rourke was pretty rattled--he'd used her interview and now someone had broken into her house. Too late for regrets. The damage was done.
"I'm Sheriff Wellington," the man said, who looked like an older version of Ashton, same blond hair, only his was graying at the temples, and the same blue eyes. "You're the one who destroyed my son's rifle?"
"Ashton must have been mistaken, Sheriff. After he shot me, he was so shaken that he might have killed me, he dropped the rifle over the cliff side. It's probably still there, if anyone wants to chance climbing down to get it." Although Hunter had thrown it far enough, the rifle butt cracked on the rocks, and then the weapon flipped into the briny sea.
The sheriff glanced at Tessa with murder in his eyes. Hunter steeled his back, fighting the urge to show the sheriff how much he didn't like his posturing. But then the sheriff caught sight of Rourke. His gaze quickly shifted to the truck parked out front. Recognition dawning? Yep, reporter here looking for another story.
"He didn't shoot you." The sheriff's voice was so harsh, he sounded like a lupus garou trying to persuade another of his mistake.
Hunter couldn't help but admire that aspect of him. Definitely alpha material. Hunter reached for his sweatshirt sleeve and intended to yank it up, but the sheriff raised his hand and stopped him.
"All right, let's say it happened like you said. What were you doing wandering around in the dark?"
Like that was a crime? He wanted to tell the sheriff it was none of his business and would have if he'd been on his own property. But since he didn't know where his own property was located, he acquiesced.
"Gathering firewood." Hunter motioned to the fireplace. "That's our only source of heat for the moment. Hadn't planned on letting us freeze to death. And I didn't expect to get shot in Tessa's backyard." He raised a brow.
"Ashton said you charged him."
Hunter smiled inwardly. Yeah, he had. Like a wolf with a mission. Hunter lifted a shoulder. "He shot at me twice. I got closer so he could see I wasn't game."
Tessa raised her ski cap off the coffee table and poked her finger in the hole. Seeing the way she did it, made him think of things he shouldn't be thinking.
"I'd say Hunter could press charges against Ashton for attempted murder," Tessa said, her expression indignant. "If he'd managed to hit Hunter in the head, it would have been murder. With the lines down and my Escort unable to navigate in the icy conditions, we would never have been able to get help for him."
The sheriff's eyes bulged. He rubbed his chin and looked like he'd finally been put in his place. "Who the hell are you?"
"Hunter Grey, Tessa's boyfriend. Tell Ashton to hunt somewhere else from now on."
The sheriff narrowed his eyes and looked like he could shoot Hunter himself for telling him what to do, especially concerning his son. "If you're Tessa's boyfriend, why weren't you at the trial, giving her moral support?"
"He's been away," Tessa said. "Just got in late yesterday afternoon."
He glanced back at Rourke, then warned Hunter, "Watch yourself. The community's had enough bad publicity over Michael's criminal activities. Don't let me hear that you're causing any more trouble."
Hunter wanted to retort that as long as he didn't keep Ashton's company, he would be fine, but he kept his mouth shut.
"Hunter's a celebrity," Rourke proudly exclaimed, his chest puffed up twice its size.
All eyes turned toward him.
He raised his brows and smiled like he had the greatest news of the century. "He's an ex-Navy SEAL. You probably notice
d the great shape he's in."
The sheriff's narrowed eyes grew rounder.
Rourke nodded. "Yep, a real celebrity in our sleepy little community."
Her expression still fierce, Tessa motioned to the sheriff. "Tell him about the intruder."
Hunter hadn't planned to mention the gray. He would take care of the lupus garou. But he didn't have much choice now. "The guy broke into Tessa's place twice and knocked out Michael's window the one time."
"You're not suggesting--"
Hunter shook his head. "No, Sheriff. A man broke in, but it wasn't Ashton."
Tessa folded her arms. "The guy stole my gun."
"File a report at the office when you have time." The sheriff gave Hunter a warning look. "Heed what I say, Mr. Grey. Watch your step. I keep a safe district."
Right. That's why Michael is in jail, the killer is on the loose, your son is shooting innocent people in the middle of the night, and someone's stalking Tessa.
"Did you know Bethany Wade was your son's lover behind Michael's back?" Hunter asked casually, watching to see the effect the news had on him. Did the sheriff already know? Or was he as clueless as everyone else?
Rourke's skin turned colorless. Tessa appeared just as pale. The sheriff's expression grew crimson, and he looked like his head was ready to explode. Hunter wasn't sure if that meant the sheriff knew or not. To his credit, the sheriff didn't say anything, whipped around, stalked off down the walk toward the patrol car, slipped on the ice, landed spread eagle, and swore a few choice words. Hunter smiled and closed the door only to face Rourke and Tessa's angry expressions.
"What? It's true, isn't it? He needs to be aware his son isn't the angel he appears to be. If he even appears to be that."
Tessa groaned. "You just made an enemy of the only man in the county who can make your stay--and mine--a living hell."
Rourke ran his hands through his hair and collapsed on the sofa. "You've really done it now."
"Good thing you were here, Rourke. I'm sure the sheriff would have made more of a scene otherwise," Tessa said.
"Thanks. I think. You should've told the sheriff you were a Navy SEAL, Hunter." Rourke gave him a devious smile. "He listens to that kind of talk. Set him back a peg or two. If he thought he could bully you, he lost his nerve."