Finding the Texas Wolf Page 9

  “Of course,” she murmured. Still, she thought it couldn’t hurt if she got someone to put out a fake story about filming a werewolf flick, even after the fact. At the very least, it would provide her with a better basis for arguing against Jake’s confidence in what he’d seen.

  “Anyway, whether you want to believe it or not, that’s where I’m going to need your help. Surveillance. With two of us working on this, we have double the chance of catching it on film.”

  Seriously? “Nope. That’s not going to happen,” she said. “I’m sorry. But I withdraw my offer of assistance. I can’t work with you. You originally asked me to help you find out what’s behind the door and I did. I told you the truth. But this? Werewolves in Galveston? No. The Shadow Agency has a reputation to uphold.”

  He swallowed, looking down. “Those are all valid points. Maybe you’re right. Perhaps I should rethink this idea.”

  Though she didn’t know him well yet, she understood him enough to guess he didn’t mean a word of his last few sentences. He had no intention of giving up on his quest. He just didn’t want her getting in his way.

  Which of course was exactly what she’d have to do. She just needed to figure out a plan. Otherwise, the next time the Pack Protectors got ahold of him, he’d lose his memory.

  Why did everything have to be so hard? Just once, why couldn’t she meet an attractive man, go out on a date or two, have amazing sex and have a normal relationship?

  “I think reconsideration is a good idea,” she told him, aching. “In fact, I hope you do. I’d really like to see you again. But if you keep on with all this insane werewolf talk, I don’t know that I can.”

  Their gazes locked. Her breath came faster. She could feel her entire body yearning for him, craving his touch, his kiss. She looked down, afraid of what her eyes would reveal.

  “How about this?” he asked, coming to stand right in front of her. “Please. Look at me, Maddie.”

  She raised her gaze to his. Again, her heart skipped a beat. She didn’t understand how it could be possible to desire a man she’d just met as much as she did. What if he didn’t feel the same way?

  But the warmth glowing in his brown eyes hinted that he did. “Don’t give up on me.”

  “I...”

  “How about I prove my theory to you?” he said, his expression intense. “If I can do that, will you help me prove it to the world?”

  More than anything, she wanted to say yes. But she couldn’t bring herself to outright lie. She knew if, by some miracle, he was able to gather enough information to actually prove he’d seen someone shape-shift, she’d have no choice but to call her brother or one of the other Pack Protectors.

  Betraying him would be a thousand times worse if they got involved.

  The truth of what she knew she must do felt like a knife stabbing straight into her heart. She had to give him up, cut all ties. And then, if he continued on this dangerous path, she’d have to report him to the Pack Protectors. For the safety of her people.

  But first, she thought she’d be allowed one indulgence. Just once, she wanted to make love with this amazing, beautiful man. One time, with him moving deep inside her body, holding her close with those strong arms.

  She’d have to wait until after he’d healed, of course. But she’d give herself one night of lovemaking with Jake before breaking things off.

  “You know what?” She pushed to her feet, wrapping her arms carefully around his neck, mindful of his bruises. “I’d really rather our relationship be personal rather than business anyway. You do your thing and I’ll do mine. We won’t talk about this werewolf stuff anymore.”

  His gaze darkened. “Personal sounds good.”

  Right before he kissed her, she felt a twinge of unease, wondering if she’d be strong enough to do what needed to be done when the time came. But the instant he covered her mouth with his, her doubt vanished.

  This was what she’d waited for her entire life. She’d never known a man like him. His touch, the press of his mouth on hers, and she went up in flames.

  She leaned into the kiss, into him, careful of his battered rib cage. She would have given much to have met this man under different circumstances.

  “Nice try,” he said against her mouth, grinning. “I have to admit, you’re really good at distracting me.”

  She grinned back. “I like you,” she told him, surprising herself. “A lot.”

  “Ditto. I think we should go out sometime. Like for drinks.”

  Drinks and sex, she thought, though of course she kept that to herself. One time and one time only.

  “Sounds good.” It took a lot of effort for her to sound casual. “Once you’re feeling better, let’s make plans.”

  “Soon, then?” A glint of mischief flashed in his eyes. “Like tomorrow? I’m sure I’ll feel much better after a good night’s rest.”

  “Will you?”

  “Definitely.”

  Pleased that he seemed as eager as she felt, she smiled. “You just let me know when you’re ready.” In fact, it might just be the shortest date on record. A glass of wine and then they’d head to his place and go straight to the good part. A buzz of pleasant anticipation filled her.

  “I will,” he said. “I know exactly where I want us to go. Since you’re a member, I’d like to visit that bar you told me about. The one behind the secret door. Surely members are allowed to bring guests.”

  Poof. Just like that, her giddy mood vanished. “We’ll see,” she said, unable to hide her disappointment. “I’d hoped we could move on beyond all that. Maybe start over, as if running into each other in the alley never happened.”

  “You don’t want to go to that bar.”

  Throat aching, she shook her head.

  “Hey.” Hand under her chin, he raised her face to him. “I’m guessing you can’t.”

  She took a deep breath. “No. Only members are allowed.” If only he knew.

  “What does one have to do to become a member?” he asked. “Unless it involves shelling out thousands of dollars, I’ll do whatever it takes.”

  Since she couldn’t tell him the truth, that one had to be born a Shape-shifter or Merfolk, or made into a Vampire, she could only shake her head. “And here we are again, with me stuck between a rock and a hard place.”

  Releasing her, he narrowed his eyes. “You can’t even tell me the criteria of becoming a member?”

  She sighed. Best to stick as close to the truth as possible. “It’s sort of based on lineage. You have to be born into a certain family.”

  “You’re kidding me, right? You’re saying membership in a bar situated behind a beat-up old door on a dead-end alley surrounded by a bunch of run-down, abandoned warehouses in Galveston, Texas, is based on heritage, like some highbrow country club?”

  “Yes.” Gathering her things, she got ready to go. “I shouldn’t have come here. This was a mistake. It’s been nice knowing you.” Her throat clogged up. Horrified, she hurried to the door. Damned if she would let him see her cry over something so silly as the loss of a potential relationship that had died before it could really even begin.

  He let her go. At least, he followed her to the front door, but he didn’t try to stop her or even walk her to her car.

  The other vehicle was parked across the street from his house.

  As Maddie headed toward her car, the other vehicle’s driver’s-side door opened and a man got out. Under the glow of the streetlight, she could make out his features. A jolt of recognition had her hurrying to get into her car. Jake’s stalker was the same Pack Protector who’d accosted her inside Broken Chains earlier.

  * * *

  Watching Maddie leave, Jake caught his breath when he realized the man stalking him got out of his car as she walked down the front walk. If that guy even made a move toward her, Jake would have to do whatever he could in order to stop him.

  He grabbed the baseball bat he kept in his hall closet and returned to the front step. Since he didn’t own
a gun, the bat was the best he could do. At least he could use it to buy enough time for Maddie to get away.

  Glancing at the other man, who remained by his car, standing partly in shadow, Maddie quickly got in her own vehicle and started the engine. As she backed out of Jake’s driveway, her headlights illuminated the other car. She drove away. The man still stood there, swiveling his head to stare directly at Jake.

  “What do you want?” Jake shouted, still clutching the bat.

  Instead of answering, the man got in his car and hurriedly drove away, traveling in the same direction as Maddie.

  Dammit. That creep was following Maddie. He had to warn her. Closing his front door, Jake dug out his cell phone and called her number, praying he’d catch her.

  But she didn’t answer. Immediately he tried again, cursing under his breath. This time, he went straight to voice mail, which could mean she deliberately wasn’t taking his call.

  Despite this, he tried a third time. When she finally picked up, he didn’t waste time on pleasantries. He told her what he suspected. “I think he’s following you.”

  “That’s possible.” She didn’t sound surprised or even alarmed. “There are headlights right behind me.”

  Suddenly suspicious, he took a deep breath. “Maddie, do you know that guy? Is he your boyfriend or your ex?” Or worse, her husband? After all, how much did he really know about Maddie? Not a whole hell of a lot.

  “I don’t know him. Not personally,” she answered. “And I don’t have a boyfriend or an ex. But I have seen that guy before. Don’t worry, I’ll deal with it.”

  “You can’t go home,” he warned her, hating the fact that right now, he was completely powerless to help her. “Drive to the police station, or some other public, well-lit place. I have no idea what he’s after. I never suspected he wanted you rather than me.”

  “I don’t think he does.” Her enigmatic reply started his imagination again. “But I’m guessing I’m about to find out,” she continued.

  “What are you going to do?” He prayed she wouldn’t try anything foolish. She was a short, small-boned woman and from what he’d been able to see of the stalker, that guy had both height and breadth. If he was crazy enough to follow a woman, who knew what else he might do?

  “I’m going to have to let you go,” she said, her calm voice at stark odds with his heartbeat hammering in his chest. “I’ll call you when I’m home safely.”

  “Don’t hang up,” he urged. “At least leave your phone on so I can hear.”

  But he quickly realized he was only speaking to dead air. Maddie had already ended the call.

  The next several minutes moved slowly and felt like an eternity. Jake hated being this powerless. The pain pill he’d reluctantly taken earlier made him feel woozy and dizzy, and he sure as hell figured he’d better not drive.

  Yet what kind of man would he be if he left sweet Maddie alone to deal with that stalker? Debating, he realized he actually had no idea where Maddie lived.

  He didn’t even know whether she’d turned left or right after she’d left his street.

  Still, he couldn’t sit here and do nothing. Pain pill be damned. He had to at least try.

  On his way to locate his car keys, the room spun and he had to sit down. Dammit. Masculine pride aside, he was in no condition to drive—he could potentially harm others.

  Maddie was smart, he told himself. She wouldn’t do anything foolish or put herself at risk.

  When his phone rang twenty minutes later, he had to take a deep breath before answering.

  “I’m home,” she said, sounding cheerful. “Thanks for worrying about me.”

  “What happened?” he asked, keeping his voice level and calm. “Did you confront the guy?”

  “No. I didn’t see the need to. Instead, I just drove around. Went down the Seawall, which is still packed with tourists. Once I was absolutely positive that I lost him, I came home.”

  “That’s a relief.”

  “It is,” she agreed. “Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to get off the phone and chill for the rest of the night. And I saw how that pain pill affected you, so you probably could use some shut-eye, too.”

  “Where do you live?” He blurted out the question, wincing slightly as he did.

  He could hear the laughter in her voice when she answered. “On Galveston Island,” she said. “I wasn’t Born On Island, but I got here as quickly as I could.”

  One of the first things he’d learned upon relocating here was how seriously the islanders took that status. BOI—Born On Island—was a source of great pride among them.

  Her meager attempt to distract him might have worked if he hadn’t been so focused on her safely. “I figured you lived on the island,” he told her. “I’m asking for your specific address.”

  “Why?”

  “Because tomorrow I’m not going to take a pain pill, no matter what. I want to come by and see you. And make sure your home is secure.” He almost didn’t add the last, but figured he might as well tell her the truth. “I’m worried about you, Maddie. Men who do that kind of stalking aren’t right in the head. I’m not sure what he wants, but you need to understand he could hurt you.”

  She went quiet. “Thanks for your concern,” she finally said. “I appreciate that you care enough to worry about my welfare. But I have lived alone a long time and I promise you, I can take care of myself.”

  Though the reporter in him wanted to press for specifics—did she own a gun, had she taken self-defense classes—he could tell from her cool, remote tone that she wouldn’t appreciate him grilling her.

  And maybe, just maybe, she had a valid point. Maddie was a competent, self-sufficient woman who ran her own business. She also, he reminded himself, had membership in the secret club that met behind the old door. He couldn’t help but wonder if the stalker had ties to that place, as well.

  “I’m sorry, but I have to go,” she said. “I just wanted to let you know that I made it home safely.”

  “No contact with the stalker?”

  “None. I made sure he didn’t follow me home. Good night, Jake.”

  “Good night.” After ending the call, he grabbed a pad of paper and a pen and started doodling. This technique helped free his mind, which he sorely needed to do right now.

  Every gut instinct he possessed told him this was all connected. The guy he’d seen change into a wolf, the men who’d assaulted him, the “club” behind the door and the stalker. And perhaps even Maddie. For the first time he wondered if she’d been sent as a distraction.

  While part of him scoffed at this notion, he couldn’t discount it entirely. After all, she had happened upon him immediately after he’d been attacked. And she, a beautiful, sexy woman, was a hell of a diversion.

  But then again, he thought, sketching the alley and the strange sign with no words and the door, she had refused to work with him if he tried to catch a werewolf on video. He’d think if her purpose was to negate the story, she’d have agreed and then done everything in her power to make sure he never got the opportunity.

  Finally, with his brain growing even fuzzier, he knew he had to sleep. The effects of the pain pill threatened to propel him into unconsciousness there at the kitchen table, and he’d much rather be in his bed.

  The next morning, Jake woke, the lingering aftereffects of the narcotic making him still feel fuzzy. A shower and a strong cup of coffee did much to remedy that. Once he’d scarfed down some instant oatmeal, he made a second mug of coffee and carried it into the den. He booted up his laptop and logged into one of the chat groups he’d joined under a pseudonym. This one was comprised of people who’d claimed to have seen a werewolf. Jake had not yet posted his experience. He wasn’t sure he ever would.

  Reading some of the recent messages, he had to acknowledge Maddie had a point. Some of the comments bordered on mentally unhinged. Others spouted ideas ranging from conspiracy theories to alien invasion.

  This was Jake’s third time logging
in. He’d hoped somewhere in the mishmash of random craziness, one or two nuggets of rationality would emerge. Apparently, this was not to be the case.

  He logged out of the chat group and next checked his email. There were two legitimate employment offers, both needing articles written about a certain subject. One required photos also. The other did not. The fees listed were reasonable, so he accepted both of them. Knowing he now had legitimate work made him feel better about continuing to pursue what increasingly appeared to be an insane story.

  Except he knew what he’d seen. He hadn’t imagined it or dreamed it. There’d been no special lighting or costumes or tricks. A man had—somehow, someway—become a wolf. And then, after remaining a wolf for a moment or two, changed back into a man.

  While logically such a thing didn’t seem possible, Jake figured maybe all the legends about werewolves just might have originated in reality.

  If he could obtain proof—real, solid, indisputable proof—such a story would be groundbreaking. He could change the world.

  Except... He frowned, trying to picture a future in which werewolves were known to exist. Would fear and paranoia run rampant? Mass incarceration, people making accusations about anyone they didn’t like? Werewolf hunts, people being made into second-class citizens just because they happened to possess a special ability?

  In his line of work, he’d seen the face of much of humanity, and it wasn’t pretty. Still, being a journalist was all about uncovering the truth. In this situation, that was what he intended to do.

  Starting with what really was behind that door.

  Chapter 8

  As Rick watched the self-assured competence with which Carmen worked, a chill went through him. He’d known female special operatives who moved like that, all efficiency of movement, intent upon their task. They’d taken pride in claiming ice ran in their veins, and none of them had been a Vampire. Carmen put them all to shame.