“Well, yeah, of course you are! Who wouldn’t be?” Roxi planted her hands on her hips and gave her a hard stare. “The bastard didn’t do anything to you, did he? Grab your boobs or something like that?”
She gave a snort of laughter. Roxi was always to the point. “No. He wanted my purse, not my body.”
“You fought him off?” Roxi nodded towards the purse that she’d dropped on the chair.
“I tried. Sort of. It all happened so fast.” She glanced down at her finger and wiggled it experimentally. It wasn’t dislocated just a bit swollen and there was a streak of blood showing under the nail. “We had a tug of war over the purse. He won and ran off before I could even think to do anything else. Some guys saw what was going on and came to my rescue. They found the purse minus my tips and wallet.”
“Guys? The ones at the corner working on the car?” Roxi glanced towards the window. If you craned your neck just right, you could see the location in question. “I saw them earlier. Some of them are sort of hot.”
“I didn’t notice. They were real nice to me, though.” She adjusted her glasses, wondering if one of the side pieces was bent—the whole world seemed askew—or maybe it was just the greasy smears from the fingers of the young man who’d picked them up. Did automotive grease wash off easily?
“Hmm...” Roxi tapped a finger to her lip. “Next time I walk by, I might have to thank them for saving you.”
She barely managed to stop herself from rolling her eyes. “Sure, you do that.”
“So you’re going to spend the night on the phone, reporting all your cards stolen?”
“Something like that.” Her stomach gave a nervous twist as she considered one call she’d have to make.
“Want me to cancel my shift? Stay with you and keep you company?”
“No, I’ll be fine.” Wrapping her arms around herself, she winced as she encountered the scrape on her arm and angled the limb so she could see the injured area. “I should go wash this off and put some peroxide on it.” She stared at the abrasion but made no move. The simple act seemed gargantuan.
Roxi poured some milk and watched her over the rim of the glass as she drank. After finishing, she rinsed it out. “I think you’re more shook up than you’re letting on.”
“Probably, but I’m a big girl. Hundreds of people get mugged every day and the world keeps turning.” She tried to inject some life into her voice. “I’ll make some phone calls, have a shower, watch a comedy. You don’t need to fuss over me.”
Roxi looked doubtful. “I can mention what happened to Jimmy, have him watch out for anyone hanging around the building if it would make you feel any better.”
Jimmy lived on the first floor and was the building superintendent. A retired cop, he also served as a watchdog for the building…most of the time. A love of alcohol and increasing age hindered his abilities on occasion. However, when he was sober, he could still be imposing having never lost that commanding stare and authoritative bark.
“No. Well…okay.” She hesitated. “The mugger probably won’t show up around here again, but I suppose it can’t hurt.”
“Okay. I’ll give you a call later on to make sure you’re all right. And if you need something, let me know. I can close up early.”
“And lose your job in the process.”
“So?” Roxi shrugged. “It would make my mother happy.”
She laughed and gave the girl a hug. “You don’t have to jeopardize your career in laundry for me. Now scoot or you’ll be late.”
Roxi grabbed her purse and keys. “Lock up behind me.”
“I always do.”
After Roxi left, she secured the door and then stood in the small entrance way. She was alone in the apartment, just like most nights. It wasn’t very big; a kitchen on the right that was separated from the combo dining/living room by a half-wall with a countertop that served as a breakfast bar. Straight ahead was a hallway leading to two bedrooms and a bathroom. It was simple but fulfilled her needs.
Since the incident a few years back, her life had been quiet.
No evenings at the bar or having fun with a boyfriend, her old self mourned.
“Right, because our life is going in a different direction this time.”
It’s not very exciting, nothing like we dreamed city life would be like.
“But it’s safe and respectable and no one can judge us.”
She pushed off from the door and, after checking the lock on the window that led to the fire escape, headed to the bathroom to inspect her scrapes.
The abrasions were minimal as she’d suspected, stinging more than anything else. Planning to tend to them after her shower, she shed her work clothes and stepped under the soothing spray to wash away the cares of the day. When she finally felt clean, she lowered the water temperature until she was covered in goose bumps and then turned off the water.
It was good to be chilled. Too bad it wouldn’t last. Padding to her room, she donned the coolest clothes she could find and was just going to start combing out her hair when a sound had her pausing. Were the floor boards creaking in the hall outside her apartment? Her stomach did a flip-flop as she remembered her stolen ID. The mugger would know where she lived.
Slowly, silently, she set her comb down and focused her attention on listening. Minutes ticked past as she stood, muscles tense. Only the sound of her own breathing reached her ears.
No one was there. It must have been her imagination or maybe the heat was making the wood expand. She wasn’t sure if that was possible, but clung to the explanation because it was preferable to thinking someone had been outside her door. The apartment was at the end of the hall and there was no reason for anyone to be walking by.
Her old self came to the foreground. No cowering.
Picking up the baseball bat she kept by her bed, she stepped out of her room.
The apartment was quiet.
The door to the hall was closed and locked.
No shadow showed under the crack near its base.
Gaining confidence, she took a deep breath and walked towards the entrance then looked through the peephole. It showed the familiar faded beige wall opposite her apartment and nothing else. No shadowy shapes, no inexplicably burned out light bulbs. Just…normal.
She exhaled loudly, her shoulders slumping. Obviously, the events of the day were playing games with her mind. That had to be it. Giving her head a shake, she returned the bat to its place beside her bed and finished combing her hair before putting it up in a messy bun. Next, she tended to her scrapes and finally grabbed her small fan. She’d set it by the window and draw in the relatively cooler night air.
Her actions stuttered to a halt as she caught a glimpse of a black limo disappearing around the corner and her mind transported her back in time...
The black car outside the apartment. The door opening. An explosion of pain then lying in a pool of blood, feeling her life force fading away… She felt faint as memories from the past washed over her.
It couldn’t be. Not after all this time…could it?
Panic tightened her chest, any remnants of her braver former self fading away. Her vision blurred, and she struggled to breathe. Without thinking, she grabbed her phone and, crouching in the corner on the far side of her bed, placed a call to the only person who could help her, the only person who knew the truth. She said she’d never make contact again, that that part of her life was over, but she didn’t know what else to do.
Her hands trembled as she brushed the hair from her eyes and listened to the phone ring. Was the number even correct? After so many years, it could have changed.
Please answer, please answer. She mentally chanted the words, her fear growing each minute.
“Hello?” A familiar, gruff voice sounded in her ear and, like some miracle drug, it filled her with relief.
Her tense muscles relaxed, a sense of safety washing over her. Memories of another time, another life, rushed in as if a plug had been pulled and unexpected t
ears pricked her eyes.
“Hello? Who is this?” Impatient, demanding; he’d not changed.
Her breathing hitched. She opened her mouth to speak then paused, wondering if she’d made a mistake, but it was too late to change her mind now. Besides, she needed him, needed his help. Her ID was gone, and he was the only one who knew, who would understand why she couldn’t just replace it.
She wet her lips and forced herself to reply. “Hi, Ryne. It’s me.”
Chapter 2
Ryne shut off the garden hose. “Pool’s ready.”
Melody emerged from the house carrying their baby girl, Grace. “Let her play until she’s good and tired.”
“Don’t worry, I will.” He barely suppressed a yawn. “If she’s tired enough we might get some sleep ourselves.”
“Right.” Melody set the baby in the water. “I promise I won’t be gone long.”
“Take all the time you need. We’ll be fine together.” He snagged a lawn chair and set it near the plastic wading pool. He’d been careful to place the pool in the shade so the baby wouldn’t burn yet not too close to the trees where there would be more bugs. It was just after dinner, later than they’d usually think of having her play in the water, however these were desperate times.
“I’ve put sunscreen on her. Don’t forget to light the citronella candle to keep mosquitos away and—”
“Melody, I’ve got this.” He took his mate by the shoulders and gave her a gentle kiss. “Go on your way.”
She hesitated and then nodded. “Okay. Have fun.” Taking the keys from her purse, she headed around the corner of the house to where the cars were parked.
He shook his head. She was a devoted mother but at times went slightly overboard. He was capable of caring for his little girl. After all, he was an Alpha and that’s what Alphas did, care for their pack members, even the pint-sized ones.
Sitting down in the lawn chair, he sighed. He was tired. A heat wave had gripped the continent, extending its blistering tentacles as far north as Stump River and beyond. He’d become used to the relative coolness of a northern summer and this sudden change had him and everyone else hot and irritable.
Summer in northern Canada had its challenges. Mosquitos, deer flies… He swatted at one of the pesky bugs then wiped the sweat from his face on the pink and purple towel he had ready for Grace.
Yeah, he was used to bugs. This much heat. No.
He didn’t bother to check the thermometer again, knowing what he’d see; way too much red. Everyone was talking about the record-breaking temperatures and grumbling about global warming. That was why Melody had gone into town; she was hoping to interview some of the locals for an article. She worked for the town newspaper that was published once a week. There was never much news to report and she often bemoaned how difficult it was to find something new and interesting to write about.
“There are only so many times I can report on a brawl at the Broken Antler or Mr. VanderSompel complaining that the local kids are too noisy when they skateboard past his house.”
He agreed with her to a certain point. Nothing ever happened in Stump River, but that was how he liked it. His days of living on the wild side were over. Being Alpha to his pack and helping raise his daughter was enough for him.
And speaking of his daughter…
He smiled down at Grace. She was adorable with her mother’s big brown eyes and a heart-grabbing grin. The boys would be chasing her someday and he intended to be there to put a healthy dose of fear into each and every suitor.
Right now however, she was prattling in her wading pool, wearing a floppy pink hat dotted with white and yellow flowers that matched her miniscule bikini top and swim diaper. He kicked off his sandals and rested his feet in the pool, absorbing some of the coolness while watching her play. Wiggling his toes, he created waves and she kicked her chubby legs.
“Da-da-da-da.”
He’d never believed those simple syllables could melt his heart the way they did. Leaning forward he picked her up and held her over his head before blowing raspberries against her belly. She giggled and squealed, patting his head until he set her back in the water again. Two white teeth showed as she smiled up at him before resuming playing with her water toys.
Those teeth were part of the reason he was so tired. She was teething and keeping both him and Melody up most of the night. Hell, half the pack was probably up too given the volume of her wails. The girl certainly had a set of lungs on her. In between pacing the floor, joggling her and fetching cold teething rings, he and Melody had argued about who she took after in that respect.
His phone rang and he picked it up, not bothering to glance at the number as he reached forward and shooed a bug away from his little girl. She might keep him awake at night, but he’d do anything for his pup.
“Hello?”
No one answered. There was only heavy breathing. Great, just what he needed, a breather. Well, maybe Melody could turn it into a story. Crank caller harasses locals or something like that.
“Hello? Who is this?” He tried once again, preparing to hang up when the caller finally spoke.
“Hi Ryne. It’s me.”
He stiffened, the sound of the woman’s voice immediately triggering a slew of memories both good and bad. His fingers tightened on the phone as he answered cautiously. “Hey there. Fancy hearing from you.”
“Can you talk? Is anyone around?”
A quick glance revealed the rest of the pack was nowhere about. “Yep, the coast is clear.”
“Good.”
His mind started to race when she didn’t immediately speak again. What was going on? When they’d parted she’d been adamant it was the end, that she’d never contact him again. He’d done his best, pulling some strings, getting Lycan Link to help arrange things for her. A new identity, a plausible background. It had been highly irregular, but he’d pushed, calling in a few favours and promising a few more. She’d never questioned how he’d done it, which was a good thing as he wouldn’t have been able to tell her. All she knew was that her past was officially dead, and she could move on.
“I…I was mugged.”
“What? Where are you?” He sat up straighter.
“In my apartment. It was maybe an hour ago, on my way home from work.” She paused and then spoke again. “I’m fine. My ID was stolen and then I heard a noise in the hall… I might have been mistaken. I don’t know...”
He heard her take a deep breath. She was rambling and obviously shook up.
“I just saw a black limo going down the street and it made me think…” Her voice trailed off.
He knew what she was thinking. Almost dying stuck with you. It had been a series of dark days, the lives of all those he loved hanging in the balance. An evil twist of fate had turned one simple act into a sequence of events that had snowballed out of control. His gaze grew distant as he relived that day…
~~~
He approached the apartment, only to come to a sudden halt, all his senses on high alert as the hair on the back of his neck stood on end. The smell of fresh blood filled the air, overpowering everything else.
Slowly, carefully, he traversed the remaining distance to the door, then cocked his head and listened. Breathing, the sound barely perceptible, reached his ears and he nudged open the door while testing the air for subtle clues that existed under the metallic scent of blood. The acridness of fear lingered in the air as did the unmistakeable odour of another male.
“Hello?” He called out the greeting in a casual tone as if unaware of any problem. The only response was the squeaking of the door on partially broken hinges then a soft thud as it hit something and began to swing back towards him.
Muscles tensed and ready to respond, he stepped inside the apartment, glancing downward to see what was blocking the movement of the door. For a moment, shock had kept him silent and then a growl had erupted from his throat at the sight before him.
She was lying in a crumpled heap surrounded by a pool
of blood. He checked her pulse as he called 911. She was alive…barely. Lips pressed tightly together he tried to decide what to do. As an Alpha, his job was to protect, to nurture and defend, yet despite his desperate wish to do something, he was helpless.
His heart thumped heavily as he stared at her pale face and blood-soaked blond hair. With trembling fingers, he brushed her cheek, leaning forward and softly calling her name. There was no response and he swore, thinking it wasn’t right that she was hurt and possibly dying. She’d stumbled into something that wasn’t of her making and was paying the price for a mistake that had been his.
He wished he could stay with her but the lives of so many were hanging in the balance and he couldn’t risk being caught at a crime scene. Feeling like cold-blooded bastard, he rose to his feet…
~~~
“Ryne? Are you there?”
“Yeah. Sorry. Just thinking about what happened.” He exhaled slowly while watching Grace push a plastic boat through the water, her face a study of concentration. So sweet and innocent. He hoped she’d never be exposed to the evil he’d seen in his life. “The limo…it’s not him. We managed to take care of him about a year ago.”
“You did? Oh. Good.”
He could hear the relief in her voice and cursed himself for not telling her. “Maybe I should have called, let you know, only you said no contact.”
“Right. That’s what I wanted.” He heard a rustling sound as if she were moving about. “It’s just been a bad day, that’s all. I saw the limo and, after what happened earlier, I panicked.”
“Understandable. Are you alone? Is there someone you can depend on?”
“My roommate, Roxi, and there’s Jimmy.”
“Jimmy? Is he your man?”
“No. Just someone who lives in my building. I…I shouldn’t have called. I can figure this out on my own. Maybe I’m homesick for the cooler weather. It’s so hot.”
“Nothing cool here, sorry. The heat wave has hit Stump River, too.”
Wolves, Witches and Bears...Oh My! Page 74