by Vella Day
“We?”
“The Murdochs and the McKinnons. My parents live next door in the two-story white house. Our two families are tight, in part because our fathers were the two Clan leaders.”
“I remember Connor telling me that your brother Kalan is the Beta.”
“Yes.” Blair set up her table. “Let me take a look at your back. Tell me how you hurt it.”
EmmaLee regaled her with her overzealous attempt to move the furniture. “I guess I was still too tired from the long drive here to try moving stuff around.”
“You should have asked Connor to help.”
Like he needed more work? “I wanted to give him a break. Poor guy has been doing everything for me for weeks, especially that first week when I was recovering.”
“I heard what happened. I’m sorry.”
“Thanks. It’s in the past—or rather it will be as soon as Slater is caught and jailed.”
Blair patted the table. “Hop on up and lay on your stomach. I want to feel around to find the sore spot.”
With care, EmmaLee did as Blair instructed. Stretching out helped the achy pain. While she needed the physical therapy, EmmaLee also wanted to pick her brain. “Since you grew up here, what can you tell me about Connor?”
Blair chuckled as she pressed her fingers down EmmaLee’s spine. “Even though I’m a year younger, we went to school together and goofed around when we were kids. That being said, once he reached high school, Connor kept to himself more than the others, so we didn’t interact that much.”
That didn’t surprise her. “Would you say he was more the brooding, caring, or angry type?”
Blair pressed on a painful spot and EmmaLee winced. “I’m going to press here for a bit to get the nerve to release.”
“Okay.”
At the moment, her physical condition wasn’t as important as learning about Connor.
“Connor is complicated. It had to be hard living in the shadow of the man destined to be the Clan’s Alpha.”
“Rye.”
“Yes. Devon, the brother in between Rye and Connor, was more like Connor than their younger brother, Finn, who’s the inquisitive and happy one. Now that he’s managing McKinnon’s Pub, he’s become more serious.”
“I’d like to meet him.” Mostly to see the contrast between these two brothers. Blair released the spot, and EmmaLee could feel some relief. “So Connor didn’t run around with a ton of different friends?” She wasn’t sure why she asked, but it would help give her insight into the man.
“He did for a long time. When he reached high school, he became a more focused student. The girls were always after him, but he only went out with a few. He wasn’t wild like some of the kids I knew. Connor had a few close friends he was very protective of.”
EmmaLee liked that Connor was noble. If only she’d known Slater when he was young, she might not have made her mistake. “Is Connor still close with them?”
“Some. His best friend now is my brother Jackson, but when Connor was eighteen, he and Drew Balko were besties.”
“But not now?” Had they fought?
“He died.”
EmmaLee’s heart broke. Poor Connor. She understood what loss could do to a person, especially at such a young age. “What happened?”
“I wasn’t there, but apparently, a bunch of guys got together at a shifter’s house, whose parents were out of town. Drew thought that because he was a werewolf he could hold his alcohol better than most. Apparently, he couldn’t. Connor tried to stop him from driving home, but Drew refused to listen. They even got into a shoving and shouting match over it. In the end, Drew got behind the wheel. Halfway home he ran into a telephone pole. He was killed instantly.”
EmmaLee sucked in a breath. “Knowing Connor, he felt a little responsible for not stopping him, didn’t he?”
“Yes, and he was devastated for a long time.” Blair patted her back. “Sit up. I need you to stretch a little.”
EmmaLee did so and found the short massage had helped. “Has he always worked at McKinnon and Associates?”
“No. He worked for another company for nearly two years beforehand. Then when our dads started the investigative firm, he worked for them. When our parents retired, they asked him to take over. I was out of state going to school for most of that though. Sad to say, I didn’t keep up with him much. Even now, we really don’t run in the same circles. Over Sunday dinner, Jackson might make some comments about Connor, but mostly he talks about how the man is a workaholic.”
That much she’d figured out. “So he’s not dating anyone?”
Blair smiled and shook her head. “I think I’ll let you ask him that.”
When she had, he’d merely grunted his response. So far, she hadn’t seen or heard anything to indicate that he was anything other than a protective man whose life was centered around his work. If he had a love life, it couldn’t be much of one.
As much as EmmaLee believed it would be fun to crack his crusty veneer, she doubted she was the woman for him. Men who ran successful businesses were logical and focused. They’d never value a part-time student with crazy ass notions of dragons who lived long ago in some ancient realm.
*
Connor’s intercom buzzed. “Yes?”
“My brother is here to see you,” Lexi announced.
“Good, send him back.”
A moment later, Lexi knocked then stepped in with a big smile on her face. She motioned the large bearded man inside. “This is Ronan,” she said with obvious pride.
Connor stood and walked around his desk, not expecting the man to be a good two inches taller than he was. “Hey, good to meet you.”
Ronan had a coffee cup in one hand and a manila folder in the other. He slipped the packet under his arm and shook hands. “Likewise. Lexi has told me a lot about you.”
“I hope it was all good?”
They both smiled.
“You need anything, Connor?” Lexi asked. “Coffee?”
“No, thanks.” As soon as she left, Connor pulled up a second chair so that they were facing each other. “I really appreciate you coming down,” Connor said.
“I’ve been meaning to visit Lexi for a while, but I’ve been busy.” He set his cup on Connor’s desk. “So what’s going on with this Coghill fellow?”
Connor liked his cut-to-the-chase attitude. He gave him as much information as he could. “One of my team members, Jackson Murdoch, is trying to locate him via his cell phone. We’re also trying to get access to his credit card number so we can trace him that way.”
“I wish I had that kind of info on my man.”
“Maybe we can help.” Even if he hadn’t asked Ronan to lend a hand, Connor would give assistance to any team member’s relative.
“That would be great.” Ronan handed him the file. “Everything I have on Timothy Delahart is in here, from police reports to the people he’s associated with to where his family is located.”
Connor was impressed with not only the depth of the information but with the clear way it was organized. “I see you and Lexi have something in common.”
He raised an eyebrow. “What’s that?”
“You both like spreadsheets.”
Ronan laughed. “I do at that. You do know that Lexi and I are Wendayans, right?” Ronan asked.
“I do. Do you have the same talents?”
“Yes and no. Lexi is extremely strong for a woman and quite coordinated, as am I, but I also have an acute sense of smell. In fact, I track my bounties by their scent.”
Connor had never heard of anything like that. “Like a bloodhound?”
“More or less. A shifter’s scent isn’t unpleasant, but each person’s is distinctive. It leaves a long trail if you know what to smell for.”
“I’m curious. How far away can you be to detect his scent?”
“Depends on the shifter, the temperature, and how long he’s lingered in one spot. I don’t need much of a trace to track him.”
“T
hat’s amazing.” Connor crossed his ankle over his knee. What he wouldn’t give to have this man’s talent at his firm. “I want to work with you on your case, but I worry this Coghill guy might find EmmaLee if I’m not here. Unless I can line up someone to watch over her, I don’t want to leave town.”
“I understand.” Ronan’s voice held steady, but his eyes had changed color enough to indicate he was disappointed. “I totally get that your team likes to protect people. Sam helped Lexi when she had a stalker.”
Sam had been extra diligent in part because Lexi was his mate. “I can offer you the services of our extensive databases. The brother of one of the men in my employee works at the sheriff’s department. He often provides us with excellent intel.”
Ronan smiled. “That would be terrific.”
Connor’s cell rang. Fearing something might have happened to EmmaLee, he checked the screen. It was his dad. He held up a finger to indicate he’d only be a minute. “Hey, Dad. What’s up?”
“I totally forgot that your mom and I were invited out to dinner tonight. It’s Patsy O’Neill’s sixtieth birthday and your mom can’t miss that.”
She and Patsy were best friends. “Of course not. Go.”
“What about EmmaLee? Can you come home right now? We’re leaving in a few minutes.”
“I’ll call EmmaLee and let her know to keep the doors lock. And yes, I’ll make sure someone watches her. Have a good time.” He disconnected and pocketed the phone.
“Problem?” Ronan asked.
“Kind of.” He explained that his father would not be able to keep an eye on EmmaLee after all. “I’m hoping Lexi can do me a favor.” He pressed the intercom button. “Can you step in here?”
“Sure.” A minute later, Lexi popped her head in. “What’s up?”
“Ronan and I aren’t quite done here, and I need you to do me a favor if you can.”
“What is it?”
“Would you mind keeping an eye on EmmaLee until I can get there? She’s staying at my parents’ guesthouse. Dad was supposed to watch her until I finished work, but he and Mom have a dinner engagement they have to go to. I want to pick Ronan’s brain some more.”
“I’d be happy to. Sam’s out on assignment tonight, so my only plans were to chat with Ronan, but if you’re with him, I might as well meet your new lady.”
She wasn’t his new lady, but to deny it now would only cause more speculation on Lexi’s part. “Tell her I’ll be there when I can.”
She faced her brother. “Where are you staying? We have a couch you can crash on if you want, though I can’t vouch it’ll be all that comfortable given your size.”
He glanced at Connor and then back at his sister. “I saw a hotel on the drive in. I’ll check it out when Connor and I finish up.”
Ronan had come down here to help out, so the least Connor could do was offer him the safe room. “Nonsense. We have a room downstairs you can stay in. The couple that was there left this morning.” He’d thought of asking EmmaLee to move into the room, but he didn’t want to uproot her again. Besides, she really seemed to like the guesthouse.
Lexi smiled. “Ah, the safe room.” She faced her brother. “You’ll love it. It’s a suite.”
“Sounds great.”
Lexi gave Ronan a hug. EmmaLee would be safe with her. “Don’t tell her too many bad things about me,” Connor said with as much cheer as he could muster.
“There’s nothing bad to say.” She winked.
“You’re a diplomat. I like that.”
Once Lexi left, he called EmmaLee to let her know his change of his plans, and that he’d get there when he could.
“Is this necessary?” she asked, sounding somewhat upset.
“Possibly not, but I’d feel more comfortable if someone stayed with you.”
“I can take care of myself. I promise to lock the door.”
That last part was in reference to Caroline Andrews, the woman who died under his watch. “I’m sure you can, but Lexi can fill you in on the comings and goings of the town.” EmmaLee loved gossip.
“Really?”
Her sudden cheerful tone worried him. “Yes. Do you have enough food for dinner?” he asked wanting to change the subject.
“You saw how much food your mom left. Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine. See you later.”
He should be happy that she didn’t whine. There was a lot more to EmmaLee Donovan than met the eye.
Yes, like the fact she’s your mate, his wolf reminded him for the umpteenth time.
Once Connor said goodbye, he disconnected. Needing to take his mind off of the alluring EmmaLee, he opened the Timothy Delahart folder, noting the banking information. “Let me ask Jackson to step in here. I’m betting he can find where Delahart has been just by his spending habits.”
Ronan grinned. “Don’t make my life too easy. I might never leave.”
That was what Connor was hoping for.
Chapter Six
‡
“What’s it like working for Connor?” EmmaLee asked as she handed Lexi a glass of Merlot. She then sat on the sofa across from her.
“It’s… good.”
That wasn’t a resounding endorsement. “Is he tough on his employees or something?”
Lexi lifted her wine and smiled. “Not tough, just intense. Connor takes every case seriously. You just have to be around him for a while, and then you’ll know that he is fair and protective of his people. Sam sure adores him.” She sipped her drink. “But didn’t you spend a few weeks with him? What’s your take?”
EmmaLee didn’t like to be put on the spot. Connor would probably hear about everything she said. “He’s definitely the protective type—almost too much so. He never let me leave the house alone.”
“That makes sense. Someone did harm you.”
“Yes, but I could have handled Slater if he’d returned.”
Her eyebrows rose. “Handle him? Like you did the last time?”
She deserved that. “All I meant is that after one of his outbursts, he was always sorry. I never saw him after the last beating though. If he shows up again, it will probably be to apologize.” She held up a hand. “Forget I said that. I’m being naïve, I know.”
Lexi smiled but quickly sobered. “Do you have a concealed weapon permit?”
EmmaLee’s heart nearly dropped to her stomach. “No! I could never shoot anyone.”
“Not even if he were attacking you?”
She sipped on her drink. “I don’t know if I could. Ugh, I understand why Connor worries about me. I’m a wimp.”
“No, you aren’t.” Lexi set down her glass. “Connor is like Sam. When I had a stalker after me, Sam never let me out of his sight, and I felt as if I was in jail—albeit a really nice one.”
She liked that she and Lexi had that in common. “Are all shifters like that?”
“Oh, Sam wasn’t a shifter until we mated. He’s a Wendayan. For the most part, shifters are highly protective, but honestly I think most guys have that trait—at least the good ones do. It’s a man thing, whether shifter, Wendayan, or just plain human.” Lexi laughed. “Then again, Sam and I were fated to be mates, so he was extra careful to make sure nothing happened to me.”
EmmaLee stilled. For a split second she let herself think she and Connor might be destined for one another, but then dismissed it. “Do you know of anyone who has been mated to a human?”
Lexi looked to the ceiling. “Yes. Kalan Murdoch, Jackson’s brother, is mated to Elana. She was a human.”
“Really?” Her pulse shot up.
“Yes, after her parents were murdered, the thieves came after her, so the sheriff’s department assigned Kalan to protect her.”
It kind of sounded like her situation. “This mating thing sounds like the luck of the draw.”
Lexi smiled. “Was it? Or did Naliana have her hand in who was chosen?”
“Ah, yes, Vinea’s sister, the goddess of mating. Has it worked out between her and Kalan?”
“Yes, and they are very much in love. They even have an adorable toddler named Aiden.”
EmmaLee sighed. “That sounds wonderful.”
“And you? Tell me about yourself.”
Ugh. Her life was boring. “I’m a friend of Vinea’s.”
Lexi’s lips firmed, almost as if she wasn’t sure how to react to that statement. “I remember now. It was because Devon and Vinea were on their honeymoon that they asked Connor to watch you.”
EmmaLee wasn’t quite sure how to take her comment. “Were you one of the ones she did something bad to when she was a goddess of the dark realm?” Vinea had harmed a lot of people. After a while, the names became jumbled.
Lexi’s eyes widened. “You were aware of her evil ways—or should I say her former evil ways?”
“Yes. She told me everything—from how she’d tried to kill Missy’s mate to how she had stolen cars. After one of the cars she’d taken was stolen from her, Vinea ended up at the diner where I worked. The first time I saw her, I felt a connection. She had a sad aura encompassing her.”
“Vinea, sad?”
“Yes. I’m sure you know she had been born in the light realm and was then kicked out. For hundreds of years, she had to live as a bad person, hurting a lot of them.”
“That may be, but the first time I met her, Vinea was trying to steal my mate’s powers.” Her lips pinched and her respiration increased.
“Oh, shit. I just put the names to the crime. She tried to steal Sam’s magic.” Lexi nodded. “It was then that Naliana shot her with the light.” EmmaLee didn’t want to spend the night discussing Vinea’s dark days, but she would if it helped Lexi get some closure.
“Yes. If it hadn’t been for Naliana, Vinea would have succeeded.” Lexi’s breathing slowed. “Thankfully, Devon dunked her in Silver Lake, which seemed to be the turning point.” A wistful smile crossed her lips. “When she came back to Silver Lake the next time, she ended up saving my life.”
It was all coming back. “Ah, yes. Vinea mentioned how she’d raced to find the EpiPen in time.”
“Bad memories.” Lexi polished off the rest of her wine. “So tell me what you do for a living, and what you like to do.”