“Well ... .” I told him the story, making sure to leave nothing out. I included the spell I used to follow Fred’s footsteps and took glee in the details about freezing Drake before allowing him to fall face-first into the dirt. “It’s possible they were out there because they wanted to make sure they didn’t leave evidence behind when they killed Fred. It’s also possible they were following me. I was in the zone and didn’t pay attention to my surroundings.”
Gunner stretched his legs, keeping a firm grip on my hand, and rolled his eyes to the overhang. I couldn’t read his mind, but I could tell he was bothered. “Well, that’s just ... I want to kill them.”
And here was the alpha male reaction I expected before. “I took care of myself.”
“It’s not as if I believe you can’t take care of yourself,” he shot back, his temper on full display. “When I express worry for your safety, it’s not because I think you’re inept. Stop jumping to that conclusion. I’m well aware that you’re the baddest witch on the block. From here on out, that goes without saying.”
For some odd reason that made me feel better. “Fair enough.”
“I don’t like that they can seemingly find you wherever you are. I just ... have they ever touched you?”
I wasn’t expecting the question. “No. I wouldn’t let them touch me. I’m not an idiot. Besides, I don’t find either of them remotely attractive.” Once I said it, I realized that wasn’t exactly true. “Okay, I might let Drake touch me if I wasn’t convinced he was a sociopath. I find him mildly hot.”
Gunner glared. “He is not hot.”
“Oh, he’s hot.”
“He is not. I’m ten times hotter than him.”
His reaction made me smirk. It was the first smile I’d managed since Graham woke me with his pounding on the cabin door. “I believe you’re the hottest guy in town,” I offered. “From now on, if I comment on the looks of another man, can it be assumed that I find you hotter? It might save us some time.”
Instead of laughing, as I hoped, he continued to glower. “Sure ... as long as it can be assumed that I find you more attractive than every other woman I cross paths with. You won’t mind me commenting on it, right?”
I balked. “That’s different.”
“No, it’s not.”
“Yes, it is.”
“Why?”
“Because ... because I said so.”
This time he did laugh, hearty and raucous, before shaking his head. “See. Fascinating.” He jabbed a finger in my direction, causing Merlin to protest the interruption in petting. “I think we should just refrain from commenting on the hotness of others. That seems like a surefire way to get into an unnecessary fight.”
“Only if you’re against making up.”
Intrigue sparked in his eyes. “Good point. Can we table this discussion until after this investigation is behind us? I would rather focus on that.”
“Sure. That’s the smart way to go.”
“Great.” He went back to stroking Merlin. “Do you think they were out there checking the scene or following you? I’m not thrilled with either possibility, but one of them makes me extremely antsy.”
I had no doubt which option bothered him more. I was having the same issue. “I don’t know.” I searched my memory. “It’s possible that they were just out there to make sure there was nothing to tie them to Fred. That makes more sense than them being able to follow me for miles without me noticing.”
He nodded, thoughtful. “You said they approached you from separate directions. They couldn’t possibly have known that you would show up out there. That seems to indicate they took advantage of you showing up.”
“So ... you don’t think they followed me?”
“I don’t know. I’m bothered by the fact that they appeared on the same beach with us last night. I don’t think that was a coincidence. They had to be following you.”
“Or you.”
His forehead wrinkled. “Me? Why would they be following me?”
“You’re pack,” I reminded him.
“Not really. I’m technically part of a pack, but I have very little to do with the politics and haven’t been active for a very long time.”
“It doesn’t matter.” I’d been giving this a lot of thought. “You’re considered one of the big wolves in town. By all accounts, Cyrus used to have power here. He wanted his own pack, so he split. He’s back now for a specific reason. I don’t think that reason means you’re all going to have a peaceful meeting of the minds.
“Think about it,” I continued, warming to the topic. “It makes more sense for you to be on their radar. Sure, they saw me take out a siren — and that probably intrigued them — but not enough to follow me in this manner. You’re of much more interest to them.”
“I guess.” He still didn’t look convinced. “Whether I was their initial target or not, you’ve officially piqued their interest. Perhaps seeing you with me set them off. It’s possible they want to get you out of the picture because they think you’re my bodyguard or something.”
The notion made me smile. “That might be fun.”
He rolled his eyes. “If anyone is guarding anyone’s body, it’s going to be me guarding you.”
“I didn’t agree to that.”
“No.” He squeezed my hand. “How about we guard each other?”
I could get behind that. “Sure.” I rubbed my forehead, considering. “Drake is Flint’s bodyguard, right? I sense the real power from him.”
“Yeah, well, I’ve been thinking about that, too. There’s no way that guy came from out of nowhere to climb so high in Cyrus’s ranks without anyone knowing who he is. Something is going on there.”
“Like what?”
“I don’t know but I have every intention of finding out. I think ... I think I know him.”
The admission caught me off guard. “You said you didn’t.”
“I don’t recognize him,” he clarified. “But there’s something familiar about him. I simply can’t place him.”
Well, that was interesting. “Is there a way we can find out?”
“I think we need to talk to the group.”
I figured he would say that. “Can we do it in an hour? I’m not quite ready to face a bunch of questions.”
He nodded. “Of course. Will you be quiet during that hour?”
“You’re the one talking.”
“We’ll both be quiet.”
It sounded like an interesting experiment. I had no idea if I could pull it off.
Ten
I was more centered when we parked in the lot at The Cauldron. The hour of quiet time did me good.
“I told you I could do it,” I boasted as I yanked off my helmet. “You should have more faith in me.”
His expression was derisive. “First, I have endless faith in you. It’s not difficult, because you’re a doer who almost always follows through.”
I beamed at him.
“Second, you did not do it. You talked throughout the entire hour.”
I balked. “I did not.”
“You did so.”
“I did not.”
“Really?” His tone was withering. “I seem to remember talking about a potential new kickstand because you’re not a fan of the one you have now and a certain conversation about getting a different bike seat so I could sit behind you. I don’t see that happening — and it’s not because I’m a toxic male, as you hinted. But I’m willing to give it a try as long as we’re not in public.”
Huh. Now that he mentioned it, I vaguely remembered that conversation. “Well, I was mostly quiet.”
His face split into a wide grin. “Yes. You were quiet for almost an hour.”
“I don’t have to take this abuse.” I was still grumbling when he caught up to me outside the door. I was about to continue complaining when he swooped in and planted a firm kiss against my lips, tugging me close as he wrapped his arms around my waist. All notion of arguing flew out of my mind.
When we finally separated, I was gasping. “What were you thinking?” I suddenly remembered where we were. “Do you want the others to figure out that we’re ... you know?”
Amusement lit his handsome features. “If you can’t say it, perhaps we shouldn’t be doing it. Dating isn’t a dirty word, Scout.”
“I didn’t say it was.”
“Also, if you don’t think they’re aware that something is going on with us, you’re nowhere near as observant as I thought. They know.”
That was impossible. “Marissa suspects, but she doesn’t know anything. I think we should keep it that way until we’re sure it’s going to work. What if we wake up a week from now and decide we don’t like each other?”
“Do you think that’s going to happen?”
I shrugged. “Maybe you have stinky feet or something. Maybe you have a hairy back. I don’t like hairy backs.”
“You’ve seen me with my shirt off. If I remember correctly, you liked what you saw.”
My mouth dropped open. I had indeed seen him with his shirt off when he helped fix my roof. I had most certainly liked what I saw. That didn’t mean he needed to comment on it. “You’re full of yourself.”
“Maybe, but you still liked what you saw.”
“I ... cannot continue this conversation. I guarantee those people inside don’t know anything is going on. I would prefer keeping it that way until we’re more settled.” What I didn’t say was that I believed it would be easier if we didn’t have added pressure weighing us down. We had enough going on without adding rampant speculation from those closest to us.
“Fine.” He held up his hands in mock surrender. “I won’t say a word even though Rooster and I spend every night gossiping about girls. I’ll refrain for you.”
I snorted as I pushed past him. “You have the oddest sense of humor.”
“Just wait until we start spending the night together. Then you’ll see the true lengths I’m willing to go to make you laugh.”
I slowed my pace. “You realize you just insinuated I’m going to laugh when you get naked, right?”
His smile dimmed. “Wait ... that’s not what I meant.” Suddenly, he was very serious. “When you see me naked you’ll swear you hear angels weeping.”
“That could also be taken negatively. Are they crying because they feel sorry for you?”
He glared. “No. I ... we’re revisiting this conversation later.”
“I’m looking forward to it.” That was true. Whether he’d meant to or not, I was much more relaxed than I had been two hours earlier.
Perhaps this whole relationship thing was going to work out after all. I was already reaping some massive rewards.
THE ENTIRE GROUP LOOKED TO BE GATHERED in the bar. Whistler stood behind the bar drying glasses while Bonnie rested at a booth with Doc, seemingly entranced by whatever he was doing on his computer.
Rooster sat on a stool, sipping a beer and watching the interaction, and Marissa was by herself at a table in the back. She appeared to be painting her fingernails a wild blue color.
“What’s your favorite color?” I asked Gunner on a whim.
If he was surprised by the question, he didn’t show it. “I’m a big fan of black, but some people argue that’s not a color so I’d have to say blue.”
That figured. “Marissa is painting her fingernails for you.”
Gunner shifted to look in the woman’s direction and frowned. “How do you know that?”
“It’s a girl thing.”
“Does that mean you’re going to paint your fingernails for me?”
“I don’t ever paint my fingernails. It’s too much work and I’ve never seen the point.”
“What about your toenails?”
“Does it matter?”
“Actually, it might. If you have ugly feet I’m out of here.”
I choked on my laughter at his deadpan delivery. He really was something. “Occasionally I might paint my toenails, but only during sandal season – and I rarely show them off.”
“That sounds like a challenge.”
“Yeah, well ... .”
The sound of someone clearing his throat drew my attention to the bar. Rooster and Whistler were watching us with overt interest. I straightened quickly, smoothing my T-shirt. “Hello, gentlemen. How are you this fine afternoon?”
Rooster cocked an eyebrow, his lips twitching. “I’m fine, Scout. How are you?”
“I’m fine as well.”
“We’re all fine,” Gunner offered, pushing past me and shaking his head. “Well, some of us are finer than others. Scout, for example, is a suspect in a murder.”
“I heard about that.” Rooster shook his head. “Graham stopped by to give me a heads-up. He assures me that you’re not really a suspect, but I figure if he was worried enough to tip me off he doesn’t feel he has complete control of the situation.”
That wasn’t what I wanted to hear. “I’m innocent,” I reminded him. “There’s no evidence they can find, because I didn’t do it.”
“Fair point. Of course, the fact that someone burned your name into the body suggests that we have a faction determined to get your attention. That seems to indicate that they wouldn’t be above framing you.”
I hadn’t even considered that. “Oh, um ... .”
“Let’s not go there,” Gunner supplied, nodding in thanks to Whistler when the grinning bartender slid a beer in his direction. “We have a few things to discuss with you guys. It’s probably best that we get them out of the way now.”
I didn’t miss the way Marissa jerked up her head and the suspicious look that flitted across her face. It was clear she thought we were about to drop a different sort of bomb, which made me distinctly itchy.
“Scout has had a busy day,” Gunner volunteered. “Not only did my father wake her and take her to a tortured body, she’s also had two run-ins with Flint and Drake.”
Rooster couldn’t contain his surprise. “Two? How?”
“The first was at Mable’s Country Table. We were having lunch when they came in. It was clear they were putting on a show. At first I thought it was for Scout’s benefit, but she brought up an interesting point and now I’m not so sure.”
“What was the point?” Whistler asked.
“She thinks they might’ve been looking for me last night when they appeared on the beach. Scout was with me, so it’s possible they think she’s part of my security detail. They might be trying to test her in an effort to throw me off.”
Marissa was shrill when she interjected herself into the conversation. “And what were you two doing at the beach?”
“They were on a date,” Bonnie answered before I could conjure an acceptable lie. “Gunner took her to Ruby’s place for a nice meal and a walk on the beach.”
I openly gaped. “How ... ?” I turned to Gunner. “Did you tell them?”
He snickered and shook his head. “No, but you just did.”
“But ... how did she know?”
“There are only so many ‘date’ restaurants in the area,” Bonnie replied, using the appropriate air quotes. “Besides, the way you two look at each other is right out of a porno. It was only a matter of time. Don’t be ridiculous.”
My cheeks burned even though I wasn’t convinced anyone other than Marissa was watching me. “I ... .”
Gunner rubbed his forehead and chuckled into his beer at my discomfort. “I told you.”
“Oh, stuff it.” I was feeling petulant when I slipped into a chair near the booth where Doc and Bonnie worked. “What are you guys doing?”
“Well, it’s quite fascinating,” Bonnie enthused, inclining her head toward Doc. “He put together an algorithm — no, really, I watched him do it — and he’s been searching for crimes similar to what happened to Fred. He found one.”
“He did?” I was officially intrigued. “Where?”
“Detroit.”
I stilled, something sizzling in the depths of my memory. “Wait ...
in Detroit?” I racked my brain as I tried to clamp onto the elusive thought. “I think I remember this.”
Gunner shifted on his stool. “You didn’t mention it before.”
“I wasn’t really trying to tie something that happened in Detroit to here. Now that Bonnie brings it up, I do remember a body being found with a message burned into it. It was about two years ago, right?”
Bonnie enthusiastically bobbed her head. “Yes. Was it your case?”
“No. I’m not even sure we worked it because, if I remember correctly, there were no discernible paranormal ties. I kind of half remember us talking about how weird it was, but I’m pretty sure we didn’t take it on.”
“Do you remember who the message on the body was directed at?” Whistler asked.
“No, but I have a way of finding out.” I thought about my friend Mike Foley. He was a former detective with the Detroit Police Department. He was one of the few ties I still had to the area, and he was well aware of the paranormal angle that most of the cops chose to ignore because they were more comfortable remaining in the dark.
Gunner scowled when he realized who I was talking about. “Not that guy. I don’t like him.”
“I think you’re just saying that because he clearly has a crush on Scout,” Bonnie teased. “Don’t worry. I’m sure she likes you better.”
Even though I was uncomfortable with our relationship being talked about openly — especially because nothing was defined and the only thing I could say with any degree of certainty was that we practically erupted in a volcano of tongues and gasps whenever we were in proximity to one another — I couldn’t stop myself from smirking.
“I told you,” I taunted, repeating his earlier words.
He scowled. “Just contact your buddy. If this has happened before — and near you — there might be information there we can use.”
I hadn’t considered that. The notion of two people being tortured in that manner because of me caused my stomach to do an uneasy roll. When I risked a glance at Gunner, I found him watching me with heavy eyes.
“I’ll message him,” I promised, forcing a smile I didn’t completely feel. “I’m sure the cases will turn out to be different.”
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