I swore under my breath. “All right. There’s nothing we can do now.”
Charlie nodded. His eyes returned to normal as he opened a drawer. “The girl make it out all right?”
“Yes.” I didn’t want to talk about Lauren with the man. I moved to leave and stopped when Charlie held up a bagged notebook. “What is that?”
“This was found by the cleaning crew in the fourth floor common room. You better look at it, boss.” Something flickered in his dark eyes as he handed it to me. “It’s not good.”
I took the bag and the gloves he offered before pulling the notebook out. I flicked through it, a frown growing as I read carefully drawn out plans to ruin Halliman’s reputation. References to a trifold attack designed to shake the paranormal community’s trust in the firm. The writing was stilted and plainly printed in what seemed to be an attempt to disguise the writer’s identity. There was a reference to the grand gathering of the Seelie and Unseelie courts at Yellowstone. I stopped reading and slid the notebook back into the bag.
“Did you check the cameras?”
Charlie nodded. “Only movement in the common room was when the cleaning crew found it. Fortunately, he was wearing gloves. The common room is crowded enough during the day that it’s difficult to tell who placed the notebook there.”
“Then we need prints.” I handed the bag back to him before taking a yellow envelope from his desk. I wrote the address of Weard’s headquarters in Chicago and held the envelope open for Charlie to drop the bagged notebook in, saying, “We don’t have the facilities here, and I don’t want this leaked. Overnight this and we should have results in two or three weeks unless there’s a line.”
“I’ll take care of it personally.”
“Good.”
By the time I retreated to my office, my mind was defying my attempts to stay focused by offering more memories of Lauren. Leaning forward, eyes trained unseeing on the computer’s display of the camera feeds, I propped my elbows on my knees. Lowering my chin to rest on my clasped hands, I couldn’t help recalling the strong urge to offer Lauren my protection. I grimaced. An urge I hadn’t been strong enough to resist. A foolish thing to do really.
The offer of protection would carry too much weight. It would promise far too much, more than I could give. And, it would set me on a path I couldn’t return from if she accepted without realizing what that meant. That the protection I offered was so very similar to a shifter offering a meal. Offering the protection without a ceremony would be . . . deadly.
I shook the thoughts away. In any case, it did not matter. Lauren had refused. She was so stubbornly determined to leave as little impact on those around her as possible, even me. And, I certainly didn’t deserve it.
I should have told her about the list. I knew at the time that she needed to know, and yet I hadn’t been able to utter the words. If she knew, it seemed a good chance that she would spook and run. I didn’t want her to run . . . not away from me. And, that had been my second thought. That if she knew she was on a list of suspected Spotters along with the vanished ones, then she would think I was possible. She would stop looking at me as though I brought her comfort instead of fear. And, she would vanish thinking I had betrayed her.
I leaned back in my chair with a sigh. When had Lauren’s opinion of me grown so important? The memory of waking to find her in my arms no matter how chastely flashed through my mind again. How it had felt to hold a woman again, to hold her. I hadn’t been involved with a woman since I was twenty-one, almost seventeen years ago. I frowned as I remembered why. Being foolish enough to be involved with a woman had cost her life and that was a flirtation more than anything. We had just begun to explore the relationship and her heart was far more involved than mine. In the end, it didn’t matter. They still killed her in an attempt to break me.
She had died because they assumed I had offered my protection making her my weakness. I had lived with the guilt of that, swearing off relationships all the way down to dalliances. I had enough blood on my hands without adding more innocent women whose only crimes were to be almost in a relationship with me. I could charm women when I needed to or take them out for meals, but I never grew close to them both for their sakes and for mine.
Getting involved with a woman who didn’t feel the same would be . . . deadly. And yet . . . Lauren. Another sigh escaped me. For the first time in my life, I had met a woman who had the potential to be . . .
I shook the thoughts away refusing to let them even form. No. It was too dangerous to get involved. I was walking a fine line as it was and Lauren would . . . Lauren was planning to leave soon. And, she would leave without me because she wanted to protect me.
A wry smile twisted my lips. I couldn’t recall the last time anyone had wanted to protect me. Much less someone like Lauren who lived by outrunning and avoiding potential conflict or exposure. She was . . . unique. And not mine.
Forcing myself to get back to work, I managed to stay busy the rest of the morning. But when I saw Lauren walk out of the exec level and head for the stairs, I nearly ran into the corner of my desk to get out of my office. I burst into the stairwell just as Lauren was slipping off her shoes. She yelped and threw one of her heels point first at me. I caught the makeshift projectile and held it out to her. “I do apologize. I didn’t mean to frighten you.”
Lauren actually breathed a shaky laugh. “I should be the one apologizing. I almost gouged you with my heel.”
A chuckle slipped free as she took the shoe from me. “Then it is a very good thing my reflexes are decent.” I paused and asked more softly, “Are you heading home already? You weren’t sacked, were you?”
She smiled as she started going down the stairs. “No, I wasn’t sacked. But . . .”
“But?” I shortened my stride to keep easy pace with her as we continued down the stairs. “What did Mrs. Pope say?”
“That she was very sorry to hear I wouldn’t be able to take the position.”
Lauren sighed, her breath moving a strand of dark hair that had fallen in her face. My fingers itched to brush it back, smoothing her hair back so I could better see her. I cleared my throat attempting to rein in my thoughts. “Are you going to lunch?”
She nodded. “I thought sandwiches would be nice. Would you like to join me?”
“I would be delighted,” I intoned with just a hint of teasing.
Lauren’s smile warmed me more than it should and I couldn’t make myself cry off. It seemed unlikely that there would be other hunters sent to Olympia already. But for now, I wouldn’t rest easy unless I knew Lauren safe. So, I accompanied her to the sub shop.
It wasn’t until we had mostly finished our sandwiches that I quietly asked, “How did the rest of the meeting go?”
Lauren looked around, but the other patrons were preoccupied with their own meals. Still she lowered her voice as she leaned toward me. “I recommended Beth for the job.”
“Did you tell her you intend to leave the firm?” I asked, still keeping my voice low.
Lauren shook her head. “Not yet. Although, I was careful to use phrases that would warn her I’m probably thinking about it.” She stopped talking then and a flicker of grief appeared in her dark eyes.
I reached over and covered her hand with my own. “You will miss it.”
She gave a little nod. “Surprisingly, yes. I was . . . content here. Even on the slow days when the most interesting thing to happen was a lake monster’s handlers glaring at a Sasquatch as they passed each other on their way to separate meetings.”
I grinned at the description. I gave her hand a light squeeze and then asked, “Were you taken in by family as a child?”
Lauren shook her head and slid her hand out from beneath mine. “No. I was left and when they couldn’t track my parents or my origins, I was placed in a foster home.” Her expression shuttered as she added, “The first of many. I bounced around homes until I was finally able to strike out on my own.”
“How old were you
?”
“Seventeen. I have lived in a lot of places in the thirteen years since, but a lot of them were good.”
“What was your favorite place?”
Lauren’s smile was faint and tinged with a sadness I wished I could change for her. She sighed before answering softly, “Olympia. I like it here. It’s filled with people, but not too busy or too . . . high.”
I nodded. She came here looking for a place to make her own and to be safe from those who might harm her. Now she was losing it all again.
“Olympia has been my longest stay too.”
“You made it your home,” I interjected, watching her face.
Her eyes slid closed and then opened once more as she drew a breath. Her lips curved into a somewhat brighter smile. “As much as I could. Being my longest stay helped.”
“How long is that?”
“Three years.” Lauren shifted in her chair and then added more softly, “Do you think they’ll hire Beth? I have to work up there the rest of today, but I’ll move down to my old workstation tomorrow.”
“I think if you recommended someone, Mrs. Pope knows that you wouldn’t do so lightly. Do you think Beth will be excited to know you vouched for her?”
Lauren’s eyes widened. “She can’t know that!” she hissed in a rushed whisper.
“Why not?”
“Because it would make things awkward.”
“How?”
“I don’t like people knowing when I’ve done something for them. It feels wrong to receive adulation for doing the right thing.”
I stared at Lauren. An unbidden grin burst into being as I mused, “You are most unusual.”
Lauren’s cheeks warmed and she dropped her gaze. Then she glanced up at me, no, at the air above my head for only the briefest of moments. Her eyes seemed to shine as she suddenly laughed. “No more so than you, Mathias.”
Her dark eyes shone like polished ebony as her laughter lit them. My chest tightened, and I didn’t want it to end. It was going to be very difficult when it was time for us to part ways.
* * *
Lauren
I ran my fingertip over the jade fox’s little head as I listened to my current caller’s litany of complaints. “Yes ma’am, I understand your concern. Let me patch you through to our relocation department.” I paused as the woman interrupted again. “Yes ma’am, I’m absolutely certain the relocators will be able to handle a trickster like a kobold. No ma’am, I don’t think you will need to show them the rotten eggs he painted with. It will be in the report, ma’am. Yes ma’am, I’m certain. Please hold while I transfer your call.”
I quickly called up to the fifth floor. A little smile appeared when Beth answered, “Girl, you back among the lowlies? Did you tick Sharon off?”
“I missed these fun calls. Speaking of which, I have a caller who’s very irate over a kobold who has invaded her ‘she shed’ whatever that is and she’s concerned we won’t be able to handle him.”
Beth laughed. “I’ll take care of it.” She suddenly grew very quiet. “Sharon emailed me. She wants to see me. I can’t get fired.”
“They aren’t going to fire one of the best secretaries they have in logistics,” I assured her.
“Mmhmm, well, I hope you’re right because I do not have time right now to hunt for another job.”
“You’ll be fine, Beth.” I picked up the little jade fox, running my thumb over its tiny ears, then glanced up. Mathias was walking toward me, his long strides carrying him closer and closer. I could hear the other girls’ sudden whispers and the creak of chairs as they no doubt went out of their way to stare at him. But his gaze was fixed on me. I swallowed hard and then murmured, “Hang on a sec, Beth.”
I lowered the phone to my shoulder, hoping I succeeded in muffling it, as Mathias stopped in front of my desk. We hadn’t spoken since he walked me to my car Tuesday after work and reminded me to move my go bag. Now he gazed down at me with blue-green eyes that seemed more of a pale blue today with his blue shirt and dark blazer. The corner of his mouth ticked up in a half smile as he nodded to me. “Lauren.”
My intent had been to start pulling back from him, making it easier on me when it was finally time to say goodbye. But as soon as his delicious accent filled the air, I found myself relaxing and my lips curled up in an answering smile. “Mathias. What are you doing down here?”
“I came to ask a question of you,” he intoned solemnly, but there was a glint of humor in his eyes.
“What might that be? It’s too early for lunch so it probably isn’t what I want to eat.”
Mathias chuckled. “As a matter of fact, you’re both correct and completely wrong.” He paused when I breathed a laugh but continued, “It is in fact too early for lunch so I didn’t come to ask what you wanted to eat for lunch. Also, I have a meeting that will prevent me from enjoying your delightful company. However, it is not too early to inquire about your plans for dinner.”
“I don’t have any plans for dinner.”
“Would you like some?”
I laughed then quickly stifled it. Shaking my head at him, I fiddled with the little fox as I tried to regain my composure. “I suppose that terrible line means you have some ideas for what my plans should be, yes?”
“Indeed.” Mathias leaned forward slightly, his gaze intent but his voice gentle, as he said, “I was thinking the evening would be a complete loss unless we had dinner together. Would you do me the honor of joining me for a nice dinner out? We could go to Percival Landing. Haven’t been there yet, and you said it was one of your favorite places to go in all Olympia.”
I should have said no and concentrated on formulating my plans for the future. Instead, I smiled at him. “I think dinner at Percival Landing sounds perfect.”
“Excellent. Shall I pick you up at your place?”
“That’s fine.”
“Then I will see you tonight, Lauren.” With those words, Mathias spun on his heel and strode away from my desk. I stared after him until he vanished through the doors leading into the lobby and turned toward the stairs.
A high pitched squeal jerked my wandering thoughts back to the phone still cradled against my shoulder. I winced as I lifted it to my ear. “Beth? Is everything all right?”
“Is everything all right? Girl, why didn’t you tell me it was serious with the hottie from security?”
My neck and cheeks grew warm as the other girls started whispering to each other. I forced myself to ignore them and to not hunch my shoulders as I protested, “It’s not serious.”
“Then how did he know it was one of your favorite places to go in all Olympia, hmm? You have never gotten past three dates with anyone.”
“I, umm, I don’t think that’s entirely accurate.” I placed the little jade fox back on my desk and desperately asked, “Don’t you need to take care of that caller?”
“I already transferred her while I was listening to the hottie from across the pond ask you out on a proper date. Now make sure you wear a nice dress and do your hair and makeup. If you want, I can come by to help you pick an outfit.”
I closed my eyes. The last thing I needed was Beth in my apartment. It would be too close an association. “Don’t you have a soccer game to go see? To keep your title of world’s greatest aunt?”
“Crud, you’re right. All right, I won’t come over but if you have any questions, text me a pic and I’ll tell you whether it’s working for you or not.”
“Working for me?” I repeated. “Beth, this isn’t like that!”
“Mmmhmm, then Miss It Isn’t Like That, explain to me why you and the British hottie have been having lunch dates for the last five weeks? And how much time have you spent together outside of the firm, hmm?”
“They’re . . . they are not dates. We’re, umm, we’re coworkers who are simply having lunch together because we enjoy each other’s company. That’s it.” It sounded weak to my own ears and I winced. Why had I let Mathias get so close?
“Mmmhmm. Yo
u’re just coworkers. So that’s why you were flirting with him just now.”
“I wasn’t flirting!” The exclamation came out louder than I had intended and I lowered my head as more heat blazed in my cheeks.
“Of course you weren’t. Lauren, be a dear and hold the phone away from your ear.”
I didn’t even think to hesitate. I yanked the phone away just as Beth shouted, “Is she blushing?”
“Yes!” came four absolutely too enthusiastic shouts.
I glared at the other girls, but they were too busy grinning to notice or at least to pretend they cared. Turning back to my desk, I grabbed a pencil and tapped it against my notepad as I reluctantly returned the phone to my ear. I could hear Beth laughing and telling the other logistics secretaries something. I suppressed a groan when I made out the words, “Lauren’s got a date with the hottie in security!”
“I have to go now, Beth. I have work.”
“You sure do,” she agreed far too enthusiastically.
“It is just dinner between friends.”
“I thought you were just coworkers?”
I sighed. “Does it really matter? It’s just dinner.”
“On Percival Landing because it’s your favorite place to go in all Olympia,” she cackled. “Now you better dress up and you better enjoy yourself because I don’t care who you are, that man is a smoking ten any day of the week.”
“I’m hanging up now, Beth.”
She was still laughing when I returned the phone to its cradle. Her comment about Mathias being a ten stuck with me. She had no idea how very true those words were and not in the sense she meant them. Although . . . I blushed harder and forced my thoughts away from his looks. Hot or not, Mathias was still a 10 and that never changed even when he was making a show of flirting, err, teasing. If I had any sense at all, I would remember that fact instead of forgetting it just because he made me feel . . . Safe.
The memory of Mathias’ offer of protection danced through my brain teasing me with the way his eyes had softened yet held a true promise in them when he spoke. I had refused. It was the right thing to do, the smart thing to do. Mathias was . . . so very different from what I had ever expected from a 10. If he hadn’t been one, if he hadn’t been above a 6, then everything that happened between us including today’s little interlude would have given me . . . hope. If he didn’t work for Weard Enterprises, maybe I could have learned to trust how he made me feel and the consistency of his displayed character despite the high number. But . . .
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