“I’d better be on my way.” He cast a glance at the shed.
Hmm…so Damien also had noticed how Rafe didn’t want them to be alone. Eve scowled in annoyance. Rafe had no right to act so…so…bossy! Damien was just a lonely man.
“If you ever want to talk…” She left the invitation hanging.
Damien hesitated and then nodded before heading on his way.
As he walked away Eve noted that, though his clothes still hung loosely on his frame, he looked a bit better than he had a week ago. Perhaps the regular meals and some old fashioned manual labour were helping. Rafe kept him busy from sunup to sundown every day. Right now his job was breaking up boards from the old fence, cutting them into size for use in the fireplace. She watched him work for a few minutes and then returned to putting away her paints and brushes.
Guilt ate away at Damien all day and into the night. He’d found yet another opportunity to talk to Eve, to stand next to her and imagine that it was Beth beside him. If he closed his eyes and just listened to her voice, the fantasy seemed so…real. And today, when she’d blushed… The stain of pink over her pale skin had nearly been his undoing.
He’d actually reached out to stroke the curve of her cheek, to cup her face and… Closing his eyes, he swallowed hard, not wanting to admit, even to himself, what he’d have done next.
Eve was Fae, not Lycan. He’d established contact with her; nothing else was needed. And thinking she was Beth… It was a betrayal of his blood bond. His wolf might reach out to her, mistakenly thinking she was their mate, but that was no excuse. He was a bastard.
Standing up, he shoved the rough wooden chair out of his way and paced angrily across the small cabin Rafe had allowed him to stay in. What the hell was he doing here, playing handyman, pretending he had a real life when filth still covered the world? Had he forgotten his duty? His vow?
Dragging his hands through his hair, he exhaled loudly. How much longer could he do this? He was losing control, losing his focus. How long until…?
Pausing by the window, he braced his hands on either side and stared outside; it was a full moon. Maybe that was the problem. Too many days as a man and not enough as a wolf. He gripped the wooden frame tightly, studying the pale orb as dark clouds drifted across its face. Memories of another night with a similar moon crept forward…
He’d stood just like this, arms braced as he looked outside. Warm hands had touched his bare back and he’d sighed, arching into the touch.
“Are you almost ready, Beth?” He hadn’t turned around but asked the question over his shoulder.
She’d traced the breadth of his shoulders while kissing his spine between his shoulder blades. Desire had shot straight to his groin.
“As ready as I’ll ever be.” Her breath had whispered over his skin and he’d shivered at the sensation. “Tell me again what it will be like to shift?” Within a week of meeting, they’d had sex and her latent werewolf genes had been activated. Tonight was going to be her first shift.
He’d turned and encircled her with his arms, looking down at her indulgently. Excitement and apprehension and shown on her face. “You’ll love it. It’s wonderful. Orgasmic.” Bending close, he’d nuzzled her neck and then whispered in her ear. “I just hope you don’t scream like you do when we’re in bed. It’ll make everyone else jealous.”
“Damien!” She’d pushed him away, her face flushed but laughter had twinkled in her eye.
“Sorry.” He’d laughed and pulled her close, cradling her tenderly in his arms. “I’ll take care of you. Don’t worry. I’ll never let anything hurt you.” His heart had been near bursting with love. His mate. His.
Bitterness now had him twisting his features.
Yeah.
Right.
He’d done a hell of a job protecting his mate. When she’d needed him the most, he hadn’t even been there. Pushing away from the window, he stalked around the cabin, restless and angry, kicking the chair out of his way before turning to look outside again.
The moon goddess was calling to him, beckoning him to revel in her rays. In ancient times all inhibitions would have been lost, the animal within let loose. Damien stepped outside and inhaled deeply, smelling the dampness in the air, the rich scent of earth and pine that was carried on the air.
His wolf stirred, demanding he shift forms. He’d resisted the urge these past few days but the beast was growing discontent.
Freedom. We need our freedom. To exist as we were meant to be; as the gods made us. To hunt...
The need grew, becoming an insistent demand. Perhaps...
Damien stepped off the porch and raised his face to the sky. The air shimmered and he released the tight rein he kept on beast inside. For just a while, he warned. There was another Fae, a few counties over. He’d head that way.
Brandi and Reno occupied a booth near the back of Clancy’s, a local roadhouse not far from Lycan Link headquarters. Brandi was shredding a paper napkin, while lines of strain bracketed Reno’s mouth. The latest news was taking its toll.
“I was at the Affiliation Office dropping off some papers when the news came in.” Brandi shook her head regretfully.
“You’re sure there’s no mistake?” Reno studied the room’s occupants with narrowed eyes. Somerset was here and he wanted to ensure the man wasn’t nearby. Unfortunately, right now he was lost in the throng.
“No. No mistake. Another Fae was killed last night. Colleen, the Fae ambassador was very upset. She wants to pull out, sever all ties with Lycan Link. And she’s demanding all our records regarding her people be purged from the system. Hiding is the only way they’ll be safe, she says.”
Reno turned his gaze towards his mate. “You can hardly blame her. The Fae are undetectable from humans. Someone has to be using their inside knowledge to locate Faes and eliminate them.” He scanned the room again. “But purging the records won’t do much good at this point. Whoever is behind this probably made their own copy of the list long ago.”
“I know.” Brandi gave up shredding the napkin. “And not only are the killings horrific but this is jeopardizing the whole project. A lot of shifter species don’t even want to associate with each other, let alone the Fae. And if the Fae pull out—even with good reason—it will just compound the idea that affiliation isn’t in the best interests of all species.”
Brad appeared weaving his way through the crowds, a pitcher of beer in his hands. He slid into an empty seat. “Sorry. Long line for drinks, and then Adrian Somerset cornered me wanting to know why I was tiptoeing through his system again. The security check story is starting to wear thin.”
“If you were searching his records then you must have news.” Brandi forced herself not to lean forward or look anxious. This was supposed to be a friendly after work get together for drinks.
“There were two known rogues within a fifty mile radius of the latest Fae killing, but police records show no complaints from local residents about a wolf. With no complaints lodged Somerset isn’t sending a team out.” Brad paused and poured a mug of beer. “That makes the ninth death in the past year. And in each instance, at least one known rogue was in the area. In most cases, complaints of wolf activity had been lodged within the previous forty-eight to seventy-two hours.”
“Any chance it was a mere coincidence?” Brandi queried. “A random murder where the victim just happened to be Fae and a rogue coincidentally happened to be in the area?”
“Given the limited number of known Empaths in the world, it’s too much of a coincidence to me.” Brad pointed out.
“I know, just hoping,” Brandi sighed. “So who were the rogues in the area?”
Brad hesitated before answering. “A Jason Petrowski and Damien Masterson.”
Reno swore and clenched the glass in his hand so tightly a faint cracking sound could be heard as it gave way under his force.
Chapter 13
“Caro! What a surprise.” Eve couldn’t believe her agent was standing on Rafe’s porch.
“You thought you’d stop by and ask Rafe for directions again?” Eve raised a knowing brow. “What happened? Did Ross move on?”
Caro sniffed. “Ross was a boy. What I need is a real man.”
“And you decided Rafe was the one?” She folded her arms and leaned against the door jamb.
“Well, you don’t seem to want him.” The woman pushed past her, walking into the house as if she owned it. “So, since I was passing by, I thought I’d stop in. I must confess I’m rather shocked that you’re here. Just visiting or have you two been doing the horizontal mambo?”
“Friends, Caro. Acquaintances. That’s all.” Eve made no effort to hide her annoyance. Why Caro had to keep poking her nose into her love life—or lack thereof—was beyond her. And the fact that Eve wanted a love life with Rafe, and didn’t have one, made it sting all the more.
Caro gave what she probably thought was a conciliatory smile. “Now, don’t get in a snit. I have a new job for you and thought I’d deliver the news personally.” She gave a quick wink and an unrepentant grin. “And if I managed to catch a glimpse of Rafe at the same time, all the better. After all, if you don’t try, you’ll never know.” Making a slow turn, she surveyed the room, her eyes lighting with interest. “My, he is a passionate one, isn’t he?”
“Rafe?” Stone-faced Rafe was passionate? She’d had some evidence of it during that one kiss, but what was Caro seeing? “Why would you think that?”
“Just look at this place!” Caro flourished her hand. “Black leather, red pillows, wooden beams for a bit of bondage. There’s even a stone fireplace with a nice plush rug in front of it; perfect for having sex on a rainy afternoon. Oh…not your sort of thing, I suppose.” She tapped her finger on her lips, a small moue forming.
Eve opened her mouth to protest but then thought better of it. Anything she said could, and would, be used against her. She cleared her throat and tried to change topics. “You said you had a new job for me?”
“Hmm…?” Caro was staring out the window having spotted the men working on repairing the shed’s roof. “Eve, you didn’t tell me there was another one! Who is that man?”
Moving to her side, Eve looked out. Both Rafe and Damien were in plain sight; tight fitting t-shirts, stained with sweat, showing them off to perfection. Muscles flexed as they swung the hammers, nailing shingles into place. Rafe paused and pulled his shirt up to wipe his face revealing a sculpted stomach, while Damien stood and stretched showcasing his lean hips and long legs. “That’s Damien. He’s a handyman Rafe hired to help out around here.”
Caro purred her approval. “Damien? He’s scrumptious. I’d love to run my hands over him.”
Eve frowned, feeling the need to protect the man. “He’s very lonely. His wife died. Recently, I think.”
“Oh.” Caro made a little pout. “Well, perhaps I’ll wait a bit then. I don’t like being a substitute.” She tossed her hair and strode across the room, her heels clicking on the polished wood floor. Retrieving her over-sized bag from the couch where she’d tossed it, she pulled out a large envelope. “Read this.”
Soon both women became lost in discussing this latest project, a series of book covers for a high profile author. Eve felt her stomach quiver with excitement and nerves. A contract like this would generate enough income that she wouldn’t have to take just any job that came her way. She could start to pick and choose, spend more time on her original paintings…
“Caro, this is fantastic. Thank you!” She pressed the pages to her chest unable to believe her luck.
“I take it you accept?” Caro gave her an indulgent look.
“Yes, yes and yes! Where do I sign?”
“Well, before anything is final, you have to come with me. The author wants to do a video conference first, convey her vision of the covers to you, get your input. You know the drill. Unfortunately, the back roads of Grassy Hills don’t seem to have high speed internet yet.” Caro made a face.
“Oh.” Eve’s bubble deflated slightly. “When—”
“Today. In about three hours. If we leave right now, we’ll be there just in time.”
“Three hours?” Eve felt a wave of panic wash over her. Three hours didn’t give her much time to get her thoughts together. “Caro, if you’d have called me I could have met you in Calgary and even had time to—”
“But I couldn’t call you.” Caro folded her arms and tapped her foot impatiently. “Your phone is dead.”
“Dead?” Eve hurried to her purse and pulled out the device. Sure enough, Caro was right. “Dammit, with all the problems with the wolf, I forgot to charge it.”
“Wolf? I thought it was a stalker?”
“Well, you see—”
Caro interrupted before she could continue. “That reminds me of the other thing I wanted to show you.” She pulled a newspaper from her bag and held it out for Eve to take. “You remember that series of unsolved murders that criss-crossed the States and Canada last year?”
“Yes?” Eve unfolded the paper.
“Well, they’ve started again. There was another one last night about fifty miles from here. It made me think of you. They all happen in wooded areas, and the victims are always by themselves. It sounds like some sort of psycho serial killer to me.”
Eve scanned the article. Words like ‘gruesome discovery’ and ‘blood soaked clothing’ leaped off the page causing her to shiver. Closing the paper, she set it down on the table. “Thanks…I think.”
“Are you sure you want to continue to stay here? I’m sure I could find a place for you.”
Eve hesitated. The idea of wolves and serial killers had her on edge, but staying in Calgary surrounded by all those people was out of the question. “Thanks, but I’ll be fine. I doubt a serial killer is going to come to an out of the way place like Grassy Hills. And Rafe’s already called some sort of wildlife game warden about the wolf that’s hanging around.”
“What you see in this hick place, I’ll never know. Bamboo skewers under my fingernails would be preferable in my book.” Caro sighed and picked up her purse. “Well, I suppose now that you’ve got Rafe…”
“I don’t have Rafe—”
Apparently tired of the topic, Caro interrupted with a dismissing wave of her hand. “Whatever. Do you need to tell him you’re leaving?”
“Oh. Right.”
Thankfully, Rafe had chosen that moment to climb off the roof and was heading inside. Eve hurried to meet him in the kitchen and informed him she’d be gone for most of the day. It was obvious he wasn’t pleased, but there was little he could do to stop her.
“Make sure you’re home before dark, and don’t stop anywhere along the way.”
“You sound like a mother hen.” She shook her head. “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine.”
Rafe shot a glance out the window to where Damien was getting another bundle of shingles from the rear of the truck and then looked back at her. “I mean it, Eve. Be careful.”
The intensity of his gaze gave her a strange feeling in her stomach. She nodded and was surprised when he reached out and tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear. His fingertips skimmed over her jaw and unthinkingly she leaned into the light caress. He allowed his hand to stay there for a moment, heat building between them, his eyes darkening.
Eve held her breath sure he would lean down and kiss her. Anticipation grew. His lips parted. He began to spread his fingers out to cradle her face. She started to rise up on her toes, willing to meet him halfway.
“Eve! We have to go!” Caro’s voice shattered the moment, and Rafe abruptly pulled back.
He turned towards where Caro was approaching from the living room. She had a smirk on her face as if she knew perfectly well what she’d done.
“Ms. Dunkirk.” Rafe nodded, his face giving no indication if he were p
erturbed by her interruption or not. “Lost again?”
“Dr. McRae, it’s a pleasure to see you again, too.” Caro looked him up and down as if deciding where she’d like to start nibbling first.
“Doctor?” Eve blinked. She didn’t know Rafe was a doctor! “I thought you were a counsellor!”
“Didn’t he tell you?” Caro opened her eyes wide. “He works at some obscure private university in the Midwestern U.S.”
“I’m a psychiatrist, but unlike most of my peers I spend more of my time on psychotherapy rather than dispensing drugs.” Rafe explained in a monotone voice, but Eve was sure he wasn’t pleased with Caro’s revelation. The two exchanged a look, and Eve wondered what was going on between them.
Caro was the first to look away. “Come along, Eve. We need to leave now if we’re to make that meeting.” She took Eve’s elbow and guided her towards her car.
Chapter 14
Rafe hammered another nail into the shingles, taking his frustration out on the bits of metal. Caro Dunkirk had been investigating him and he didn’t like it. Of course his cover had held, Lycan Link’s background fabricators were top-notch, but her reasons for snooping bothered him. He’d even bent his own rules and read her emotions trying to figure out what was going on. On the surface it would appear she was merely lusting after him and inclined to stir up trouble for the joy of watching others squirm, but he hadn’t had time to look for deeper motivations.
The fact that she’d interrupted him when he’d been going to kiss Eve hadn’t endeared her to him either, though he probably should be thanking the woman. Kissing Eve wasn’t a good idea. He knew it wasn’t, but his resistance was getting low. Four days of having her in his house, of listening to the soft sounds she made in her sleep, of imagining her in his shower, were taking their toll.