“What the hell are we going to say to him?” she asked as she dashed around the room grabbing her clothes and getting them into place. Her hands shook with the adrenaline rush, making it difficult to get her shirt over her head or her jeans buttoned.
“No idea.” Sawyer grabbed his keys from where they’d fallen on the floor. “Let’s figure that out on the way.” He stuffed his feet into his boots and headed for the door.
“I’ll let Trace know about the second note as we drive,” Logan said.
“He’s going to be pissed we touched it,” Sawyer added.
“Yeah. You’re probably right. But then again, it’s still just a few words on a piece of paper. I don’t think the sheriff can do much about it at this point.”
»»•««
It was a long forty minutes to the address Jazmine had given them on the reservation. In that time, Logan squeezed the steering wheel so tight, his fingers hurt.
Amanda sat between them in the front seat of his truck, her thigh rubbing against his in a way that made it difficult to concentrate on what they needed to do.
Fortunately, before they got there, Logan had a plan.
By the time he pulled to the side of the road in front of the small neighborhood house where Jackson lived, he was prepared. “I got this.”
“You want us to wait in the car?” Amanda asked.
“Nope. Just saying.” He jumped to the ground and then turned around to grab her waist and haul her with him.
“Glad you have it figured out, because I’ve got nothin’,” Sawyer added.
The three of them made their way up the front walk and onto the patio. The house was quaint. Small but well maintained. Obviously Jackson took pride in his yard and possessions. The bushes on both sides of the patio were perfectly trimmed. The smell of freshly cut grass filled the air.
Logan wiped his hands on his jeans and knocked.
Seconds ticked by, and then the door swung open. “Can I help you?”
“Hi. Yes. I’m Logan Masters. And this is Sawyer Hamilton and Amanda Williams. Are you Jackson?”
Jackson nodded. “What’s this about?”
“We got your address from your sister. You weren’t answering your phone.”
He looked behind him and then back toward the three of them on the porch. “Yeah. Phone died. It’s charging.”
“My sister Laurie called you earlier about concerns at the logging site near the edge of the reservation.”
“She did,” he confirmed. “Wait. Laurie’s your sister?” He glanced up and down Sawyer’s body with a grin. “You look nothing alike.”
Sawyer returned the smile. “Nope. We get that a lot. She’s red and pale. I’m dark and tan. No idea how that gene pool worked out, but we have one Native parent and one Caucasian.”
Jackson stood back a step. “Come in. I know this isn’t a social call. What happened?”
Logan breathed a sigh of relief. The man was reasonable. And not aggravated with their arrival. He was one of the good guys. Logan didn’t have any of the sensitivities the Bartel-Hamiltons had, but he was at least able to read posture, body language, and pitch of speech. Jackson was relatively receptive and calm. “I’ve gotten some threatening notes. They may be related to the logging site.”
“Seriously?” Jackson fidgeted, tucking his hands in his jeans pockets and rocking forward onto the balls of his feet.
“Yeah. Can’t prove it yet, but I suspect something about that crew isn’t on the up and up.” Logan knew it was just as possible the spirits were warning about something totally different, but his gut told him something illegal was happening at the logging site anyway.
“Shit. How do you know this?”
“I was hiking, and I came to the edge of the site. Maybe someone saw me and thinks I know something.” That wasn’t entirely true. Logan knew no one saw him. He hadn’t been in human form. But he couldn’t very well tell Jackson that.
Jackson tugged one hand from his pocket and swiped at the imaginary perspiration on his brow. “Have you called the sheriff’s office?”
Logan nodded. “Both in Sojourn and Cambridge.” That was also a bit of a white lie. They had spoken to Corbin, who was a deputy in Sojourn, and Trace Masters, a deputy in Cambridge. Both sheriffs at each office were also shifters, thank God. But flat out filing a report when they all suspected foul play and the involvement of supernatural spirit guides was a pain in the ass. “My brother Trace is a deputy in Cambridge. He’s looking into it.”
Corbin and Trace were speaking to their bosses already. They hoped to keep the specifics a bit hushed from the humans on the force for now.
Logan in particular wanted to handle things under the radar, and in fact had insisted when he’d spoken to Trace. If whoever was threatening them thought he went to the cops, Amanda’s life would be in even more danger.
As it was, Logan wasn’t about to take any chances. No matter who was sending the notes, they were pissed about something. They could decide to take it out on Amanda.
“What can I do?”
“Not show up tomorrow,” Logan suggested.
Jackson cringed. “I can do that. At least tomorrow. I can’t put it off forever, but I can stall the visit a few days.”
Logan blew out a breath.
Jackson grinned. “Hey, I value my life too. Do you think you saw something you weren’t supposed to?”
“Maybe. Though I’m confused about what. I wouldn’t have the foggiest notion if they were complying with regulations. So, I’m not sure what I saw. But I’m erring on the side of caution and assuming someone thinks I know something.”
“What a mess.” Jackson ran a hand through his hair and then stated the obvious. “If they’re hiding something and worried enough you might report them, who knows what they might do if an inspector shows up. It’s my job. And I sometimes have to face serious allegations, but I can wait a few more days.”
“Exactly. That’s why we came. To head you off.” Logan winced.
“Is a deputy going out there in the morning, then?”
Logan nodded. Also a white lie. Both deputies would make an appearance, but not in human form. Not yet anyway. “Is there anything you can tell us about logging sites? What could they be doing that’s illegal?”
“Oh, God. Any number of things. The most obvious would be over-logging, which means they’re taking more trees than the perimeter of land they were allotted. And if they’re still there working, I’d say that’s your best bet, because they were supposed to be gone by now. Though that’s not always foolproof. Any number of factors can slow a crew down.”
Logan nodded again. He had suspected that all along. “What else?”
“Most other things wouldn’t be obvious to a layman. They could be cutting down trees that are endangered, failing to properly care for the undergrowth, skimping on replanting, illegally labeling what they’re removing in type, size, or quality. The list is long.”
“I see.” Logan cringed. “You’re right. I’d never be able to see that.”
“You aren’t planning on going out there, are you?”
“Hell no,” Logan lied. “But I’ll pass this information off to my brother.”
“Ah, perfect. Oh, hey. I do have something that might help.” Jackson snapped his fingers and turned around, motioning for them to follow. When they got to his kitchen, he pulled out a folded map from his briefcase and opened it up. He shook it out, spread it across the table, and pointed to a spot. “Is this where you came across it?”
“Yep. That’s the place.”
“Perfect. Let me draw you a circle around what they were permitted to remove. It might be difficult to tell if they breached the sides, but it’s always a possibility if they were extraordinarily greedy. Usually that isn’t the case, though. They can easily skim an extra few feet all the way around and make a shit ton of money without anyone being the wiser. In fact, they can also say they had no idea they’d done it. It’s difficult to prosecute. Not all log
gers are underhanded and sneaky, but when they are, they cover themselves well.”
“Thanks.” Logan took the map when Jackson had it folded back up.
“Yeah, thanks for your help,” Sawyer added.
Amanda smiled. “We appreciate it.”
“No problem. You have my number. Call me when you know more. This site wasn’t on my radar for tomorrow originally anyway. My visit can wait, but not forever.”
“Thank you.” Sawyer held out a hand, reminding Logan they hadn’t been very friendly when they’d arrived.
Jackson glanced at each of them, one at a time. He schooled his face, but Logan knew he had heard rumors and suspected precisely what was indeed the truth. The three people in front of him were romantically involved with each other.
Chapter Twenty-Two
The drive back to the condo was quiet.
Amanda said very little, letting her men think. They both looked like they needed it.
When they were safely back inside their living room, Logan locked them up as if it were a fortress.
She noticed the three locks on the front door for the first time and then the panel to the right of the door where he set an alarm.
“At least we know we won’t get attacked in our sleep,” she said, trying to lighten the mood. “You think someone’s likely to break in and kidnap us or something?”
“It’s happened.” Logan nodded toward the front window. “All the windows have sensors on them. They can’t be opened or broken without an alarm going off.”
“Why on earth are you so paranoid? I mean, you didn’t install all this today.”
Logan took her hand and lured her down the hallway. She felt Sawyer at her heels.
“Someone broke in last year, from the Church on the Hill actually—the place your sister used to attend—and tried to kill Laurie, Zach, and Corbin by filling the place with natural gas.”
Amanda halted her steps. “You’re serious?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Sawyer set his hands on her hips from behind as they stepped up to the bed. “Racism. Bigotry. You name it. They didn’t approve of our living arrangements, and they intended to chase us out of town.”
“Oh. Jesus. I didn’t know that. Were any of them hurt?”
Logan turned around to face her. “No. Thank God.”
“So that’s why my sister left the church. She never really explained.”
“Well, that and she’s gay.” Logan chuckled.
She shoved his shoulder. “Don’t make fun.”
“I’m not. Just saying. I don’t think she could have continued the ruse much longer. In fact, she stayed longer than she intended to in order to spy on the parishioners when they started plotting against our families.”
“Why would they do that?”
Logan shrugged. “Like I said, they didn’t approve of our lifestyle, so they wanted to run us out of town. They could be doing that again now. I’m not ruling out the possibility that the notes are intended for you and not me.”
“They have racial issues too,” Sawyer added as he leaned in to pull her hair off her neck and nibble a path to her ear.
“And they aren’t the only ones. There are a lot of people in both towns who would rather not see the Natives and the whites mixing blood. Both shifters and humans. It’s a mess. It’s difficult to figure out who the enemy is half the time. Everyone has their own agenda, and we’re talking about six groups of folks—white and Native humans, white and Native shifters, and mixed humans and shifters.
“The variety of bigotry is so varied, it can make your head spin. Some of those folks can’t stomach the races mixing, some of them can’t stomach the threesomes, and some of them can’t tolerate either.” Logan pulled her between his legs as he sat on the edge of the bed.
Sawyer kissed her neck again and then pulled back when Logan continued.
“By the way, there’s another player we don’t want to leave out in this mess.”
“Who’s that?” she asked.
“Pete Sandhouse. He’s a deputy for the sheriff in Sojourn.”
“That’s where Corbin works,” Sawyer commented.
Logan nodded. “Yes. And he approached Corbin about us. Laurie warned me, and then I called and spoke to Corbin.”
“What? Why? How could he even know about us yet?” Amanda shuddered.
“That’s just it. Corbin doesn’t think he did. Thinks he was on a fishing expedition and hit the jackpot. Someone must have seen Sawyer and I together and assumed. Maybe even Friday night. The point is, that man is trouble. And he can make our lives hell. I don’t trust him.” Logan cupped Amanda’s face. “This doesn’t leave this room, baby.”
She nodded, a chill racing up her spine at the serious expression on his face. “Laurie told me about Pete Saturday morning. He sounds like a swell guy.”
“It’s not public knowledge that we know Pete Sandhouse was involved in trying to run Laurie, Zach, and Corbin out of town.”
“Why didn’t anyone arrest him? He’s still working for the force?” Sawyer asked.
Logan nodded. “Corbin and Trace decided to wait for a bigger infraction. They didn’t have enough on him to stick in court. So, we need to remain diligent. The man isn’t in favor of ménages or mixing the races. If he’s snooping around, it means he has a mission.”
“Lord, did you say my sister spied on these assholes?” She tried to picture her sister with such a spine.
“Yeah,” Logan said. “Not specifically Sandhouse, but the members of her church that were also harassing Zach’s family. It was almost impossible at any given time to know who was targeting them. She made anonymous calls to the sheriff’s office when the church started meeting to plot our demise. She was afraid someone would get seriously injured or killed, so she pretended to go along with them to keep the authorities involved. That’s how she ended up meeting Laurie.”
“I never realized she was so badass.” She giggled as Sawyer tickled her neck with his lips. “Do you think the members of the church are the same people threatening us?”
“Could be. But it seems unlikely. They’re being closely watched by the sheriff’s office. If they step out of line, they know they will serve time. Plus, my family has a restraining order against about a dozen of them.”
“A restraining order wouldn’t stop anyone from threatening you…or me for that matter.” She shuddered again.
“Not by itself, but when you’ve already committed several crimes and law enforcement is keeping an eye on you… The problem is they aren’t the only ones who could be sending threatening notes to you. I could make a list a mile long of people who don’t want anyone messing with the status quo as far as keeping the races from mingling is concerned. The church members are just one small boisterous group. There are plenty of Native Americans, both human and shifters, who aren’t fond of mixing the races either. Pete Sandhouse would make that list, for example. And next would be Veronica Miller.” Logan hauled her closer.
“Who the hell is that?” Sawyer asked.
“Human girlfriend Corbin had when he met his mates,” Logan muttered against Amanda’s lips.
“I think Jazmine said she’s sleeping with that Pete guy now.”
“Interesting.” Logan closed the gap farther.
She knew he was done with this morbid line of thinking when he took her lips and tipped his head to deepen the kiss. Seconds later, she forgot what they’d been discussing too.
»»•««
“It’s so early,” Amanda mumbled into the pillow. “What the hell are you guys doing up?” She rolled to her side and lifted one eyelid. “Please tell me you aren’t morning people. I think that’s a deal breaker.”
Sawyer chuckled as she watched him shrug into nylon shorts and reach for a T-shirt. “I have to work out.”
“Work out? You don’t think you’re buff enough?” It seemed crazy. Who jumped out of bed before the sun rose to go for a run?
He laughed h
arder as he slid his shirt over his head. “Won’t be able to stay this way if I don’t keep working at it. Besides, it’s a requirement for my job. When I’m not at work, I’m working out. I haul a shitload of heavy equipment when I’m fighting a fire. If I had to stop to catch my breath, I’d be dead.”
She licked her lips, rolling onto her back so she could see him better with both eyes. She wished he wouldn’t put that shirt on. His chest was so damn sexy, she hated for him to cover it up.
Then again, as he tugged the hem down, she decided he might possibly be hotter wearing the shirt. It was so tight across his pecs, it seemed to be molded to his skin. And that was drool worthy.
She flinched when he waved a hand in front of her face. When she jerked her gaze up, she found him smirking. “I suppose I could hang around here all day dressing and undressing if it keeps that look on your face. You even licked your lips as if I were a Popsicle.”
A flush rose up her chest and face as she opened her mouth. But to deny the accuracy of his statement would be futile. “Caught.”
Logan wandered out of the bathroom, naked. At least he had more sense about the hour. In fact, he came back to the bed, climbed up alongside her, and tugged the sheet over his lower half. Also a travesty. “She’s right, you know. Why the butt crack of dawn?”
“Like to get it over with. Gives me more time to enjoy my mate later in the day.” He grabbed gym shoes from the corner of the room, set a knee on the bed, and leaned over to gently kiss her lips. “Later.”
“Crazy,” she muttered after he was gone.
Logan rolled over the top of her and framed her face with his hands. “My gain.”
“Block yourselves, dammit. The other dudes in the gym don’t want to watch me wandering around sporting a hard-on,” Sawyer communicated.
Amanda giggled as her hands landed on Logan’s sculpted back and slid down to grab his firm ass. He was marginally less built than Sawyer. She knew Logan worked out hard too. He was either skiing or hiking most days of his life.
When he slipped down her body lower, her hands slid into his hair. His lips wrapped around one of her nipples, and he tugged the offended tip with his teeth. It stung, but in a good way.
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