Harvest Moon

by Lisa Kessler

  “No.” I shook my head. “But it’s not a concussion.”

  Her hands rested on her hips. “All right, then what was it?”

  “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.” Hell, I didn’t believe it, either.

  “How’s it going out here?”

  We both turned to find Adam in the hallway. Kilani glanced up at me for a second before sighing. “You’re right. I don’t think Jason called Nero.”

  Adam nodded and came over to my side. “I need to talk to you. Alone.”

  “I’ll go. I’m sorry Sebastian sent me here. I never would’ve come if I had known you weren’t expecting me.”

  “No.” I spun around faster than I intended. She flinched a little. “If Nero is after you, you’re not going anywhere on your own.”

  Her shoulders squared. “I admitted to being wrong about you spying. I did not agree to you being in charge of my life. I don’t know you and you don’t know me. If Adam can help, great, but if not, I’ll figure something out.”

  The wolf’s agitation grew. It paced inside of me until I wanted to scream. “This is no time to go off headstrong and half-cocked. Sebastian sent you here because we’re the only ones who can stand up to Nero.”

  “We?” She shook her head and pointed to my Alpha. “He told me to go find Adam, not you.”

  Hearing Adam’s name on her lips made me want to punch something. My hands flinched at my sides. “Just don’t go anywhere.”

  Adam clapped a hand on my shoulder. “Sorry. Our doctor sometimes forgets he can’t order folks around outside the hospital. Can you give me a few minutes before you go?”

  Her gaze swept across the floor, but finally she sighed. “Fine.”

  “Thanks.” Adam nodded toward her. “We’ll be right back.”

  I took a chair in his office as Adam closed the door. He crossed to the desk, leaning against the edge with his arms over his chest. “We can’t get involved here.”

  “What?” I got to my feet. “We can’t just look the other way while Nero kills someone on our territory.”

  He opened his hands. “We don’t even know if her story about the roommate is true. Sebastian could be counting on us to feel sorry for the pretty little thing, and then he’ll swoop in with a mercenary team to grab Lana and the twins. It’s too risky and we can’t be sure of the facts. Why would Sebastian send this woman to us?”

  “So we’re just going to tell her good luck and pretend we don’t see her blood on our hands.” My pulse galloped faster than a thoroughbred, and my urge to punch something swelled. “When did our Pack start being afraid of Nero?”

  “Are you questioning my motives?” Adam straightened up, his tone dropping to a menacing growl. “What the hell is wrong with you? There is no reason for Sebastian, heir to the Nero machine, to help us or need our help. This makes no sense.”

  “Yeah, it doesn’t make sense.” I went to the door. “But I can’t stand by and pretend she’s not in danger.”

  “Jason, she’s not our problem.”

  I shook my head, my knuckles aching as I balled my fingers into tight fists. “She’s my mate.”

  His eyes widened. “What?”

  “It’s crazy, but she just touched my hand and…”

  “And the earth tilted on its axis?”

  I nodded, staring at my knuckles. “Something like that. It’s not possible, but…” I met his eyes. “But my wolf recognized her. I heard him howling.”

  The corner of Adam’s mouth quirked up. “No shit.” He clasped my forearms and chuckled. “You’ve got your work cut out for you.”

  “Why, because she hates doctors, or because she thinks I’m a Peeping Tom spy, or maybe because Nero wants her dead…” I let go of him, rubbing my hands down my face. “I’m screwed. Why is everything in my life turning to shit right now?”

  He took his place against his desk again. “We still don’t know if we can trust her. Mate or not, you need to find out whatever you can about her roommate. I can’t believe Sebastian cared about anyone other than himself, let alone felt responsible for saving her friend. None of this adds up.”

  “She doesn’t think she can trust me, either.”

  “Until I understand what Sebastian’s endgame is, I can’t get the Pack involved, mate or not.”

  “Shit.” I groaned and reached for the door. “I can’t let anything happen to her, Adam.”

  “I know.” He nodded. “Keep me in the loop. If her story turns out to be true, the Pack will stand with you.”

  I had to get her to stand with me first.

  Goddamn fate could stop fucking with me any time now.

  Chapter Six

  KILANI

  Jason disappeared down the hall with Adam, leaving me alone to get a grip on reality. A vision assaulted me the moment I touched his hand and he stumbled away. And it wasn’t a vision of him betraying me to Nero.

  I was naked in his arms.

  And instead of being repulsed, a flush of heat fanned out through my body. I needed a cold shower. Now. Not only was Jason a doctor, but I’d already caught him lying to me, and I still had all my clothes on at the time.

  Not to mention catching him watching me while I ate lunch.

  But my visions of the future usually came to me right before they occurred. Ending up in bed with him in a few minutes wasn’t going to happen. No way. Maybe it was a mistake? Just a jolt of lust. He was intelligent and good looking, if you could overlook the god complex and the secrets.

  Until now, all my visions came true unless I chose to do something to change the outcome. This vision made no sense.

  I got up and went to the window. The barn was still lit, and the horses in the pasture grazed in the moonlight. Peaceful. But their peace couldn’t distract me or get Jason out of my head. I kept seeing his eyes when he admitted he thought I was beautiful. He’d bared himself, even though he was well aware of my distrust and less-than-friendly attitude toward him.

  My thick emotional shields faltered. He was sexy when he told the truth.

  Too bad he didn’t do it often.

  “Hey.”

  His voice brought me back to the present. I glanced back over my shoulder. “Where’s Adam?”

  “He’s got some things to take care of.”

  I turned to face him, my mouth going dry. “He’s not going to help me?” When Jason didn’t answer, I nodded, hoping I looked braver than I felt. “That’s okay. I’m sorry Sebastian was mistaken.”

  I walked to the couch to grab my bag.

  “I’m going to help you.”

  “Excuse me?” I slid my bag over my shoulder.

  “Just for now. Adam can’t get our family involved until he’s sure of Sebastian’s motives. I’ll protect you while we get a clearer picture of why Sebastian sent you here.”

  He stood tall—of course everyone was tall to me, but his broad shoulders were rolled back, his bruised face raised in defiance, and his banged-up hands balled into loose fists. I’d never met such a rugged doctor. He almost looked like he could protect me from anything.

  Anything but himself.

  I sighed and shook my head. “I appreciate the offer, but I can handle this. If I see anyone out of the ordinary, I have the police on speed dial. I’ll be ready.”

  He tensed but pulled in a slow breath before he spoke. “I get that you don’t trust me, or doctors in general, but this is serious. There’s a detective in Reno who might be able to help us contact Sebastian and get some answers.”

  “Give me his name and I’ll call him.”

  “Her name.” He shook his head with a humorless chuckle. “And there’s no way she’d get involved if you called her.”

  I walked over to him, trying not to let the vision of us naked into my consciousness. Too late. “Tell me something… Be honest, if possible. Why are you offering to help me? What’s in it for you?”

  This close, his light hazel eyes were almost golden, hypnotic. His gaze never strayed from mine. “Let’s get s
omething straight.” His voice was deep and rough, intimate. “I wish I could tell you everything you want to know, but there are parts of my life I can’t share. The truth could hurt those I love, so I protect it. I don’t know what kind of asshole, lying doctors you’ve known, but I am not one of them.”

  Ignoring the annoying flutters in my belly, I shook my head slowly. “You still didn’t answer my question.”

  He didn’t miss a beat. “You helped save my father’s life. I want to return the favor.”

  I swallowed the lump in my throat. This was no lie, no agenda. “Thank you.”

  His shoulders relaxed and he pulled his keys out of his pocket. “Let’s grab your things and get out of here.”

  I bristled. “I’ll just follow you. I’ve got all I need in my car.”

  “Nero could already be looking for your car.”

  “Fine.” I sighed, glaring down at my shoes to keep from seeing his face. “But I want to be sure we’re clear. We’re not sleeping together.”

  He chuckled and I couldn’t help but peer up at him. Damn, he had a great smile.

  “I was thinking more along the lines of taking you to see the detective who might be able to contact Sebastian.” He raised a brow. “But I’m flattered.”

  “Flattery wasn’t my intention.” The image of our naked limbs entwined together on a king-size bed flashed through my head again as I brushed past him toward the door. I needed to get a little self-control. I wasn’t about to let this vision become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Jason had baggage and secrets.

  And I had enough of those on my own.

  Jason made a call on his cell and then started the engine. “She’s at her sister’s place, but I told her this wouldn’t take long.”

  “She couldn’t just give you Sebastian’s number?”

  He glanced my way. “Contacting him isn’t something you pass along over the phone. Nero has ears everywhere.” He stared out the windshield at the dark road ahead. “Plus Sasha will want to hear this directly from you, or she won’t get involved.”

  A few silent minutes later, we pulled into a parking lot for a garage. “Takoda Harley Restorations?”

  Jason nodded, focused on the sign over the door as he turned off the car. “Yeah, Sasha’s sister moved in with her…” He hesitated for a second. “Her boyfriend. He owns the place and has a studio apartment in the back.”

  I got out and followed a pace or two behind Jason to the door. He rang the bell and a willowy raven-haired woman with familiar green eyes opened the door.

  “Nadya?”

  Her eyes narrowed slightly. “Oh my God, Kilani?”

  She and I closed the distance between us and embraced. I held her at arm’s length, taking in her grown features. “How long has it been?”

  “More than fifteen years.”

  Jason cleared his throat, reminding me we weren’t alone. “You two…know each other?”

  Nadya grinned. “We went to Brightwood Academy together. Kilani was a few years older than me. She used to help me with my homework.”

  Jason opened his mouth but closed it again without speaking. Instead he shook his head and smiled, but it looked forced. “Small world.”

  “Sure is.” Nadya took my hand and pulled me inside. “I can’t wait for you to meet Sasha.”

  “She’s your older sister. The one studying to be a police officer, right?”

  “That was a long time ago. She’s a detective now.”

  When we rounded the corner, another woman with the same fine Russian features as Nadya got up from the couch, and two dark-haired men stood at the bar of a modest kitchen.

  I reached out to shake her hand. “You must be Sasha.”

  She nodded with a firm grip. “And you are?”

  Nadya answered for me. “This is Kilani. My friend from Brightwood Academy.”

  Brightwood was a small boarding school for girls with psychic abilities. What were the chances we’d find each other in Reno of all places? Had Sebastian sent her here, too?

  The other two men tensed at the mention of Brightwood, a similar reaction to Jason’s outside. And one of the men was…Adam? No, this guy had shorter hair. A twin brother?

  I let my hand drop to my side. “Is there something wrong?”

  Jason came around the corner and stopped behind me. The heat of his body teased me through the back of my shirt. Apparently he was very close but not quite touching. I forced myself to remain still. The air sucked out of the room for a moment until he came up beside me.

  “Nero owns Brightwood Academy.”

  I frowned, turning to Jason. “What? How could you possibly know anything about Brightwood?”

  “Have a seat and we’ll fill you in.” Jason led me to the sofa.

  Sasha remained standing. “She’s the one you called about? Sebastian sent her here?”

  A big guy with his black hair pulled back in a ponytail and a tattoo around his chiseled biceps came around the corner. We stared at each other while I tried to place why he looked so familiar. Maybe he was doing the same thing. He took Nadya’s hand, his questioning gaze focused on Jason, and that’s when I figured it out.

  “You’re the guy from the hospital that day. You came and found me to get the insulin and glucose.”

  His dark eyes moved from me to Jason and back again before he nodded. “Yeah. That was me.”

  Man of few words. He took Nadya’s hand and I realized he must be the boyfriend Jason mentioned. Wow. She coaxed a smile out of the big guy and I almost followed suit. I couldn’t get over seeing her all grown up. Seemed like just yesterday that we’d been kids at Brightwood.

  And never in a million years would I have pictured her moving in with a biker. If what they were saying about Nero owning Brightwood was true, my vision all those years ago about Nadya’s parents may have saved me.

  Nadya’s boyfriend tipped his head toward Jason. “What happened to your face?”

  “I’m fine.” Jason gestured toward him. “Kilani, I don’t think you got properly introduced before. This is Gareth.”

  He didn’t make a move to shake my hand. “How do you know Sebastian?”

  Okay, so we’d skip the flowery nice to meet you. Worked for me. “My roommate was dating him.”

  Sasha took up a spot beside her sister. “Jason told me a little. Why don’t you fill in the blanks?”

  I told her about Grace and the night I discovered her body. My voice only cracked a few times. “I called the police and then Sebastian. He told me through clenched teeth that he wished I’d contacted him first. I didn’t understand why at the time.” I crossed my arms, wishing I could insulate myself from the fear. “Apparently his employer, Nero, put out a hit on Grace and didn’t realize she had a roommate. They’d wanted Sebastian to discover her body. Since I found her and then got the police involved, I became a loose end they want to tie up.”

  Sasha frowned. “And Sebastian told you to come to Reno?”

  “He said I should go to Reno and find a new nursing position. When I got here, he had new IDs waiting for me. I got a job at the hospital, and he told me if I noticed anyone following me or asking questions, I should go to Whispering Pines and ask for Adam.”

  Sasha looked at Jason. “And Adam thinks this is a set-up.”

  Jason shrugged. “He wants us to make contact with Sebastian to determine his motives. That’s why I wanted to talk to you.”

  Sasha turned my way. “What made you go look for Adam?”

  “I got a text from Sebastian.” I pulled out my phone and clicked on the text. “Beware the Jabberwock.”

  Sasha took my phone, staring at the message for a second. She handed it back to me, her gaze moving around the room. “That’s Sebastian’s signal not to contact him. His cell and email might be compromised, and Nero is on the way.”

  “We need to find him.” Jason’s words were clipped, injected with urgency. “Adam won’t get the…family involved. Not until he knows Kilani isn’t a plant for Nero.”
>
  “If she was a tool for Nero, Sebastian wouldn’t mention the Jabberwock. If they found out he’s used it before, to help me…” She shook her head. “It’d be deadly for him to make that kind of mistake.”

  Gareth straightened to his full height. “The night I tangled with him up in Virginia City, he’d been drinking. He said his father killed someone he cared about. That was why he didn’t try to take Nadya in for Nero to study. He wanted to punish his father. If he was telling the truth, and he really did feel something for Kilani’s roommate, maybe he’s protecting her because she was Grace’s friend.”

  Sasha pondered that for a minute before shrugging her shoulders. “That seems like a stretch unless he’s experienced huge amounts of personal growth over the past few months, but I guess anything is possible. We’ll go talk to Adam. Until we have a plan, you should stay close to Jason.”

  I nodded, but inside, butterflies tickled my stomach. Maybe I could spend the night with Nadya instead. My attention landed on her boyfriend and I remembered this was a studio apartment. No sale.

  I lifted my gaze to find Jason watching me. Did he have to be so freaking good-looking? Even with a cut on his eyebrow and some swelling at the corner of his mouth, he’d turn heads.

  “Fine. But I’m working third shift tomorrow at the hospital.”

  “We’ll figure something out.” Jason glanced at the others. “Thanks, Sasha. Sorry to intrude.”

  Nadya wrapped me in another hug. When she stepped back, her smile seemed tentative, worried. She’d always been a strong empath. No doubt, my fear pummeled her mental shields. “We have lots of catching up to do.”

  “Once this blows over, we’ll meet up.”

  Everyone in the room nodded like this was a certainty, and we said our good-byes without ever acknowledging the huge elephant in the room.

  There was a better than average chance, when this blew over, I’d be dead.

  The suffocating silence in the car did nothing to ease the knot in my stomach. I pulled my hair back from my forehead and released a pent-up breath. “Are you sorry you offered to help me yet?”

  Jason chuckled but kept his eyes on the road, bruised knuckles tight on the wheel. “You probably already know I’m not.”