Staking Their Claim

by Rebecca Airies

  Ethan closed his computer and flipped over his phone. Past the time when Penny’s relief should be here. He left his computer on her desk and went to find his woman.

  He strode into the reception area. Not at the desk, but the open sign in the window had been turned off. She’d been up here recently. That had been on the last time he’d come out.

  He turned and stalked down the hallway. The doors on the exam rooms were all open. Shoes clicked against tile at the back of the clinic. Penny wiped down one of the surgical tables. She looked up and smiled.

  “Hey, did you finish working?” Penny swiped the table once more.

  “Yeah, I just turned off the computer. Is the tech on her way?” Ethan crossed the distance between them.

  He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. She snuggled up against him as if it was the place she most longed to be. He lowered his lips to her shoulder and took in a deep breath. Her sweet peachy scent filled him.

  “I haven’t heard anything from her. I called and left a message.” She lifted her shoulder. “If the stalker wasn’t still an issue, I’d tell you to go home.”

  “Peaches, even if I’d come to pick you up, I wouldn’t leave you. Danger doesn’t come into it. I wouldn’t leave you alone when you don’t know when this person will show up.” Ethan tightened his arms around her. Time alone with her could be great. “Have you finished everything?”

  “Yeah, but if you’re thinking about a little play time, you’ll only end up frustrated. We can’t.” She shook her head. “Maria might be here at any moment.”

  He sighed. Damn, if only she’d been a little less practical. He stepped back.

  “All right. Is there anything I can do?” He trailed his fingers across her cheek.

  “No, everything’s—” She stopped.

  The bells on the front door tinkled. Ethan tensed. What the… The tech never used the front door.

  “Stay here.” Ethan crept forward toward the hallway.

  Clomp. That wasn’t the sound of any tennis shoe or non-skid work shoe. Ethan’s muscles tightened.

  He rushed out into the hallway. Three men hurried toward him. The first man dashed forward and grabbed at him, pushing him against the wall. One of the men slipped past and ran toward the back. His heartbeat raced. Penny.

  “Penny, run.” Ethan shoved the first man off him, but before he could race back toward them, the second man grabbed and punched him.

  Pain slashed through Ethan’s stomach. Ethan slammed his fist into the blond man’s gut and shoved him off. The first man came at him again. A big fist hurtled toward his head. Ethan flinched back. The fist whooshed past his face.

  Ethan punched the man, but his hand sank into the man’s gut. The man’s breath puffed out. He grabbed Ethan and swung him into the wall. A punch slammed into his jaw. A sharp ache flared over his jaw and lights danced in front of his eyes.

  A scream echoed in the tight confines of the hallway. Adrenaline raced through him and the sound of his own heartbeat filled his ears. Penny! What is that bastard doing to her?

  Ethan shoved the man off and tackled him, taking him to the ground. He slammed punches into the man’s jaw. The man collapsed back against the floor.

  Ethan turned to confront the other attacker, but he sprinted down the hallway. Ethan didn’t worry about him. He had to get to Penny. His chest tightened. He rushed into the operating suite and stopped.

  “Don’t you fucking move. I’m not sure I can hold her back.” Penny straddled the man. He lay on the floor. She drew in deep breaths.

  The scent of blood filtered through the air, but it was human, not cougar. Ethan took a slow breath to calm his raging heart. It must have been the bastard who’d screamed.

  “Peaches, did he hurt you?” Ethan slowly stalked forward.

  “He hit me. I need you to come over here. I’m not sure I can get off him. The cat wants to kill him.” Penny shifted over the man. “Look at my hand.”

  Penny held him by the neck. Fur dusted her hand and arms. Claws dug into his skin. Blood soaked the right side of the man’s shirt. It gaped in two places, showing slices on the man’s chest. Good. He’d paid for laying his hands on her.

  “It’s a partial change. It can happen in a threatening situation. The next step would be a full change if there was more danger. It will go away when you calm down.” Ethan patted her on the shoulder.

  As if he didn’t want to kill the man for touching her? Ethan shook his head. Not the time for that or reinforcing that she and the cat were joined. “All right, peaches. I’m coming right over to take him off your hands.”

  Her shoulders rose and fell as she took a deep breath.

  Ethan paced over and knelt beside her. “If you move or try to grab her when she gets off you, I’ll rip you apart. Penny, call John and find something to secure this man.”

  The man nodded. Penny’s hands loosened and she eased back. Once on her feet, she leapt back. Her hands clenched and flared. Claws tipped the ends of her fingers. Not a happy woman.

  Ethan flipped the man onto his back. “Call John and find something to secure him with, Penny.”

  She nodded and headed for the wall. She took a leash from a pegboard and brought it over to him. “I’ll use the business phone. My cell is in my purse.”

  She walked over and used the phone on the wall. Ethan finished tying the man and stood. He glanced at her and to the hallway. Can’t leave the other in the hallway. He strode out and picked up the unconscious man, bringing him to the room and securing him.

  “There’s been a break in at Animals Plus Veterinary Clinic.” Penny smiled at him.

  Ethan returned the smile, but kept an eye on the two men. They weren’t getting a chance to hurt her.

  “They’re still here, but bound. They came in from the front. They’re the only ones hurt.” Penny scowled at both of the bound men.

  “Two of them are still here. There were three.” Ethan pointed toward the front. She hadn’t seen the other.

  “We caught two of them. There were three.” Penny shifted on her feet. She exhaled and turned to Ethan. “They’re on their way.”

  She leaned against the wall, holding the phone. He smiled. Hopefully, the police would arrive soon. Her hands shook. He turned to the bastards sprawled on the floor. One unconscious and one tied up. He couldn’t leave them. With her head bent and her bowed shoulders, she looked so alone. He flexed his fingers.

  “Bring the phone over here, peaches. Let me hold you.” He held out his arm.

  “Won’t I be in the way if they try to escape?” She glanced at him.

  “I can get to them before they get away.” He smiled. And then they’d pay.

  She crossed the distance and pressed up to his side. Fine tremors rolled over her body. She wrapped her arms around him and he tightened his around her. This bastard’s schemes had touched her again. Neither of these two were the stalker and the third man’s scent hadn’t been right either. Did the stalker send someone or was this an entirely different situation?

  “The officers are out there. I need to go let them in the back. They have a couple up front, but don’t want to mess up evidence.” Penny straightened and stepped away from him.

  He nodded. She rushed to the service entrance and opened the door. Two officers stepped in and John followed.

  The officers strode over to the two men.

  “You tied him up?” John asked.

  “I didn’t have a weapon and I didn’t want to chase after both of them if the other one woke up.” Ethan shifted on his feet.

  “Have either of you been up to the front door?” John glanced from one to the other.

  “No, I locked the door after the last employee left and waited for the tech. She still hasn’t arrived.” Penny straightened.

  “Did you leave the key in the door?” John motioned to one of the men.

  “No, I don’t use a key when I lock it at night. I turn the knob on the inside.” Penny ran a hand through her hai
r. “No need for a key. My keys are in my purse.”

  “Are you sure?” John narrowed his eyes at her.

  “I can get my purse from my office and double check.” Penny glanced toward the hallway.

  “I’ll have one of my officers get it for you.” John nodded.

  A couple of minutes later, the officer returned with Penny’s purse. She grabbed her keys from the pocket. She flipped through the keys and clasped a key with a purple cap between thumb and forefinger.

  “This is the key to the front door.” She extended the entire ring when John stepped forward.

  He took Penny’s key ring and an evidence bag from one of his men. He held Penny’s key up to the bag.

  “It’s identical.” John glanced at them. “Who else has a key?”

  “Dr. Durwood, Alice Conway, and me.” Penny grimaced.

  “Who’s Alice Conway?” John handed Penny back her key.

  “She’s the receptionist. She’s been here since Durwood started the clinic and apparently has always had a key.” Penny frowned. “You’ll have to ask Durwood, but I think that’s the only three keys.”

  “All right, now, these officers will take you two outside and take your statements.” John smiled. “We’ll finish up collecting evidence here. Then you can leave.”

  “I can’t leave until the tech gets here.” Penny shook her head. “I haven’t been able to get in touch with her.”

  “Give me her phone number. I’ll have someone contact her.” John took a deep breath.

  Penny sighed, dug out her phone, and gave him the number. Fuck. Ethan drew in a sharp breath. He should call Dawson and Griffin before they started searching the city. His phone was in his jacket pocket where he’d left it.

  “Penny, give me your phone. We’re already late. Griffin and Dawson will be worried.” Ethan held out his hand.

  She dropped the phone into it. He dialed Griffin’s phone. It rang and rang. He sighed. The call went to voice mail. Ethan left a terse voicemail about there being a situation.

  “We’ll find out whose key this is.” John stepped back. “Here are the two officers ready to take your statements.”

  Penny nodded. Ethan followed along, not about to let her out of his sight even though there were officers nearby. She turned and smiled at him.

  Ethan quickly dialed Dawson’s number. Maybe he’d pick up.

  “Hey, Penny,” Dawson answered.

  “Not Penny. We’re still at Penny’s work.” Ethan sighed in relief and some of the tension rolled from his shoulders.

  “Is something wrong? Did they get a late patient?” Dawson sounded concerned.

  “No late patient. There was an attack. Penny’s all right. She took one of the men down. Right now, she’s talking to a police officer.” Ethan rolled his shoulders. She gestured back to the clinic. “We still have to wait for the vet tech to arrive. She hadn’t shown before this all happened.”

  “Do we need to come there?” Dawson asked.

  “No, the police are here and we’ll leave as soon as possible. I wasn’t able to contact Griffin and left a message, but he’ll want to know more.” Ethan glanced to the right. The officer next to him tapped his foot. Narrowed eyes drove home the man’s impatience.

  “Yeah, I’ll try to call him and explain, but if he doesn’t answer, he’ll call you,” Dawson said.

  Ethan flicked his finger over the screen to end the call. “Sorry I kept you waiting. Her other two mates would have gone insane if we didn’t notify them.”

  The officer nodded. “Why don’t you start after everyone left the clinic and tell me what happened?”

  “All right, I was doing some work in Penny’s office.” Ethan exhaled heavily and then began.

  As he finished, John strolled out of the clinic. Ethan rolled his shoulders. Finally finished with all of that.

  He glanced over. Someone stood in front of Penny scraping her fingernails

  “I got hold of the tech who was supposed to come tonight. She’s on her way, as is Durwood. When she gets here, you’ll be free to go.” John smiled.

  “Good, I’d like to get Penny home safe. I’m sure Griffin and Dawson are more than ready for us to get there, too.” Ethan smiled and moved over to Penny. “We’ll need our things from Penny’s office. Is it all right for us to go back in and get them?”

  “If you’ll tell us what you need, I’ll have them brought out to you. Right now, I have our techs going through the clinic.” John shook his head.

  Ethan sighed. His stomach sank to his feet. Would this bastard ever be caught?

  “I have a briefcase and a laptop bag. Penny has a bag since she already has her purse. Both are together on a chair in her office. She was ready to go because the tech was supposed to be here.” Ethan glanced over at Penny. “Did I forget anything, peaches?”

  “Only our jackets. They’re both in the office. Mine is hanging up on the hook. Yours is over the back of the chair unless you moved it.” She folded her arms across her chest.

  Ethan hugged her tighter to him. It was a little chilly.

  “I’ll have everything brought out to you.” John nodded.

  The tech arrived. Penny briefed her on the animals and which needed to be watched. John took the tech aside, but came back.

  “I’ll need you both to go down to the station tomorrow to sign a statement about what happened.” John strode back over to her.

  “We’ll be there.” Ethan took their jackets from the officer, who brought them from the clinic. He gave Penny hers and then took all the bags. He nodded to John and guided Penny to the car.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Cake. She definitely needed cake right now. Penny sighed and stirred the batter with a whisk until it was finally smooth and silky. She poured it into the floured cake pans.

  Wood screeched on the tile floor. Her head whipped around.

  Griffin. She released a slow breath. Fuck. When had he come in? He hadn’t made a sound until he pulled out the chair.

  “Hey, peaches, how are you doing?” Griffin dragged the chair a little closer.

  “I’m doing all right.” She slid the cakes into the oven.

  “Are you? This isn’t your fault. I mean it wouldn’t be even if it was the fucking stalker asshole, but John said someone else was behind this. And he’s got leads he’s following now.” He clasped his hands together.

  She drew in a deep breath. Easy to say, hard to get through her head. And was John telling the truth? Ethan had told John she blamed herself when they’d gone in to sign their statements.

  “Yeah, he did.” She clenched her hands as she faced him. Their house burned. In all likelihood, because of her. Constant attacks. They’d be better off without her. Pain sliced through her chest.

  “You’re not convincing me. What’s wrong? And if you tell me nothing, I might just spank you.” Griffin pointed at her.

  A surge of energy pumped through Penny and she turned, striding to the end of the kitchen before whipping back around. “I’ve brought you nothing but trouble. You’re in danger because of me.”

  She ran her hand through her hair. If they’d been hurt… Fuck, she wouldn’t forgive herself.

  “Penny, that face is not reassuring. You didn’t bring us trouble. The trouble followed you, which is an entirely different thing.” Griffin rose from the chair.

  She paced back along the length of the kitchen. He kind of had to say that. “Not really.”

  “Are you saying I’m lying?” Griffin crossed his arms over his chest.

  “I’m saying that you have a reason to keep me happy. If I’m unhappy with you, you don’t get any.” She shook her head and whipped back around to stalk the length of the kitchen. They were still in danger. Should she even be here?

  He laughed. “I wouldn’t lie to you about something that’s important to you. Peaches, you need to calm down and stop thinking whatever you’re thinking.”

  “What do you mean?” She stopped and turned to face him.


  “Whatever you’re thinking, it’s agitating your cat. Your eyes have changed to golden. That and the pacing are indications that something is pushing at you. Now, I wouldn’t mind what would happen, but I don’t want you feeling more guilty than you do.” Griffin sat back in the chair.

  She blinked. Her eyes were gold? She reached up to her cheek. “They changed color?”

  “Yes, they’re pure gold right now.” Griffin rose and paced forward. “Try thinking of something else.”

  She stepped over to the toaster and bent down. She gasped and her hand flew up to her mouth. Golden eyes gleamed in the reflective surface. Her throat tightened.

  Think of something else. Not that easy. The fucking stalker was after them all. She’d rather he come after her.

  “Peaches, you’re riling her up. Give me a kiss.” He held out his arms.

  She took a deep breath and flexed her fingers. Sharp nails pricked her palm. She drew in a sharp breath and glanced down. Claws tipped her fingers.

  “Yeah, you’re close. Come here. Let’s see if we can calm her down.” Griffin kept his arms raised.

  She paced over to him. “Will this calm her? What will she do if it doesn’t?”

  “She’ll bite me, peaches, and I don’t mind that one bit. If she doesn’t, that’s good, as well. Touching and kissing might soothe you and the cat.” He wrapped his arm around her.

  She blinked. The agitation and the energy pulsing through her, that could be from the cat. The part about leaving to protect them had probably done it. But damn it, they were in danger. They’d remain that way until the bastard was caught. If they were injured or worse, would she be able to live with herself?

  “Whoa, peaches, stop thinking. You’re pushing her.” He stroked his hand up and down her back. “Just take a few breaths for me.”

  She drew a breath in and then exhaled. “All right, my mind is circling. Why don’t we try kissing?”

  “I’m more than willing.” He pressed a kiss to her neck. “Let me take you into the bedroom and peel you out of those clothes.”

  “I have a cake in the oven.” She glanced at the oven. So damn tempting.

  “We could take it out and put it back in when we’re finished.” He raised his brows.