“Why? I’m not even welcome here,” I blurted out.
“Would you just keep your mouth shut. At least he’s not threatening to kill you,” Tarron reminded me through my headset.
“You may be a lot of things, Baine, but you were never a threat to this Clan. In hindsight perhaps we were too harsh. I always thought you’d come back anyway.”
My eyes nearly bugged out of my head. “You were there, Kano. You and Killian personally escorted me out of Clan territory with nothing but the clothes on my back and vowed to kill me if I ever returned. I don’t want to be here now. I’m just doing my job.”
He nodded. “I know. I deserve that. I really believe if Dad were here, he’d be glad to see you too.”
I scoffed. “Doubtful. I don’t know what your deal here is, but Killian made it painfully clear that nothing has changed.”
“You already saw him?”
“Unfortunately.”
“And Olivia?”
I shook my head. “I’d rather she not know I’m here.”
He seemed surprised by that, but I had my reasons. Number one being that I knew I had hurt her. There was no doubt in my mind that she had loved me as much as I had loved her. They hadn’t even let me say goodbye. I hated to think of what they had told her and what she thought of me for abandoning her like that. We’d had plans to start a life together and in an instant of honest confession to my best friend it had been ripped away from me.
At the time I thought he’d be happy for us. I thought he knew I wouldn’t just screw around, not with her. I expected his support and instead found out that I simply wasn’t good enough for his sister. The things he said, the stuff he’d called me, still haunted me today.
My hand gripped into fists.
“Oh no,” Taylor whispered.
“Weird question,” Grant interrupted. “Do you have a safe place maybe even just outside territory lines to blow something up?”
“Excuse me?”
“Like a small bomb, a grenade, or maybe a stick of dynamite?” Taylor asked.
I rolled my eyes. “I’m fine.”
They all knew me well enough to know I wasn’t.
“Silas, why don’t you and Painter catch the Alpha up to speed and T and I will just take care of a minor problem.”
Silas huffed.
“I’m fine. Really.”
“There was a small ravine near the airfield,” Taylor noted.
“Already scouting it for any signs of civilians,” Ben confirmed to us remotely.
“It’s not necessary,” I said through gritted teeth.
“Yeah, definitely. I think it is,” Taylor insisted.
“When he gets stressed, it helps if he just blows something up,” Grant explained. “It won’t take long.”
The look on Kano’s face was priceless. He didn’t know what to say or think.
“Uh, okay.”
“Great,” Grant said physically pushing me out of the door.
“I’m fine,” I insisted.
“Nope, those fists are not the sign of fine,” Taylor observed. “We’ll just go, throw a few grenades into the big hole, and all will be right again.”
“Nothing will be right as long as we’re here,” I muttered.
As they were rushing, they walked right down through town. I knew it was the fastest way to start the gossip train. We were supposed to be discreet and not draw attention to the fact we were even there, but they were too concerned with me to suddenly care about that.
As we passed by the hardware store someone walked out and I slammed right into him. I pulled back quickly.
“Killian.”
He looked around uneasily like he’d lost that cocky confidence of earlier and that fear I’d sensed was back. “What are you doing here?”
“Just got through talking with Kano. You could have told me about your dad.”
“That’s not any of your business.”
“Actually, it sort of is.” I didn’t bother elaborating. If he wanted details, he could go ask his brother. I didn’t owe Killian anything. Not anymore.
A little girl tugged on the tail of his shirt. “Who’s that?” she whispered.
“No one sweetie.” He picked the child up and they started to walk away.
“Whatever you’re doing here. Do it fast and then get the hell out of my territory.”
I was in shock staring at Killian with a kid. I guessed a lot did change in eight years.
Grant gave me a shove and we kept walking all the way back to the plane and then beyond to the ravine.
“All clear,” Ben noted.
I pulled out a grenade, popped the pin and tossed it into the ravine. It exploded in midair.
“Did you see that? Killian has a kid. He’s a freaking father. Who ever thought that was a good idea? It’s like I don’t even know him anymore.”
“She was cute,” Taylor said.
“But Killian? A Dad?” I couldn’t even fathom it.
I reached down the side of my pant leg and pulled out a stick of dynamite. Retrieving the lighter from my pocket I lit it and tossed it into the ravine. It hit a large boulder but bounced off before also exploding in the air.
“Where the hell does he keep those things?” T whispered to her mate.
“Everywhere.”
After a few more explosions I had significantly calmed down and was ready to head back. The return walk was far less dramatic.
I strolled into the Alpha’s office without even knocking. My head was certainly not on right.
“Better?” Painter asked.
“Much. Hey, why didn’t you tell me Killian had a kid?”
Kano gave me an odd look.
“We passed him in town with his little girl. Cute kid, but seriously who thought that was a good idea. She had to be an accident. He was still playing the field and banging every available female around, and some that weren’t so available, if you know what I mean. Whose kid is it? Never mind. It’s absolutely none of my business. Just surprised me is all.”
“Can we please just get back to work?” Silas asked. “You aren’t usually such a goddamn gossip.”
Silas always had a way of putting each of us in our place.
“We’ve briefed Kano on what we know so far,” Painter said. “The former Alpha disappeared two months ago. I’ve already got a call in to Emma to see if she can help me with the timeline. Archie is scrolling back through any cameras he can find within a ten-mile radius in hopes of picking up a lead.”
“It has to be the Raglan. The profile fits. We know they’ve been watching the Clan. Hell, they might still be watching.”
“Already on it. I’ve identified two wildlife cams in the area that are using cellular uploads. Archie’s working on it. I could really use T’s help on this one,” Tarron confessed.
Silas looked at her and nodded.
“I’m on my way.”
“I’ll escort her back,” Grant offered.
“Then who the hell will escort your ass back here?” Silas pointed out.
Grant let out a low growl but checked up quickly.
She kissed him, assured him she would be fine and in constant communication. Then left.
“Mates?” Kano asked.
Silas nodded.
“From what you’ve told me about this team, is that wise?”
“She’s the best,” Silas conceded. “This one does okay, most of the time.”
“She’ll be fine. Bears are mostly peaceful as long as they aren’t provoked. Taylor’s not stupid enough to do that here,” I reminded him.
“Not like you, huh?”
I was willing to take the jab if it meant he would calm down some. I just grinned and shrugged.
“Causing trouble in my territory already, Baine?”
“Wouldn’t dream of it, Alpha.” We both knew I was being sarcastic, but Kano seemed to relax a little.
“Good to see you’re still a smartass.”
“Can’t change who I am.”
“Smarter than the average bear?” he asked rolling his eyes.
I gave him the first genuine smile I’d had since we landed. “You know it.”
With the needed information acquired and Kano up to speed on what was happening, there was nothing left for us to do and no reason to stay.
As we were saying goodbye, Tarron reported in.
“Um, guys. We have a massive storm coming in. The pilot has informed me that we aren’t going anywhere until it passes. He’s staying with the plane but advises the rest of us to take shelter.”
I groaned.
“What? Sad to say goodbye this time?” Kano teased. The light bantering with him felt good, normal, like old times.
“At least you’re giving me the opportunity this time.”
“Ouch.”
“You deserved it.”
He shrugged. “You’re probably right. For what it’s worth, I’m sorry. We handled things poorly and you weren’t the only one that paid the price for it. I tracked you for months afterwards, then I tried to find you but you had just disappeared. I’d catch glimpses of your location here and there, but by the time I got there, you’d be gone again.”
“He’s very good at that,” Grant teased.
I glared at him. Kano’s words had shaken me. I didn’t owe him an explanation, but I gave it anyway. He’d come after me. Why? “I couldn’t even tell you where I was or what I was doing. Holed up in some rundown motel so drunk I couldn’t see straight. Don’t remember a damn thing until one day I woke up and decided I needed to do better. I wandered around taking whatever job I could find. Turns out I’m great with explosives, been blowing shit up ever since.”
“I guess if that makes you happy, then I’m glad for it.”
“Oh, trust me, it makes him very happy,” Grant said.
“Keep it up,” I warned. “You know what happened last time.” I grinned thinking about the cherry bomb I’d left in the toilet just before he had to take a massive dump. It might have been my best timed explosion ever.
Grant’s jaw set in a hard line.
“Well, I think I’ve had enough time down memory lane, how about you, Grant?”
He was still stewing over my reminder of that cherry bomb.
“Let’s go.”
“Not so fast. You heard what Tarron said. We have to take shelter,” Silas said.
“Who’s Tarron?” Kano asked.
“Tarron and Ben make up the rest of my team.”
“So seven, not five?”
“Correct.”
“And what do they do?”
“Tarron’s surveillance and let’s just say he’s really good with electronics. Ben’s our sniper.”
“Okay,” Kano said like he was struggling to believe it all.
“Apparently there’s a storm incoming. Pilot’s grounded us until it passes.”
“Well, there’s a small inn in town. Let’s go see if there’s room.”
“Room in the Inn. Great,” I mumbled.
Kano personally escorted us there. Taylor, Ben, and Tarron caught up to us en route and introductions were made.
We walked through town drawing the attention of everyone. I tried to keep my eyes averted to the ground, but I could still hear the whispers as people began to recognize me.
Almost stumbling into Painter, the gorilla shifter huffed and I looked up deciding I needed to pay better attention. I didn’t particularly enjoy pissing off my team no matter what they sometimes thought.
I looked around. The place was the same, but different. The sandwich shop was now Chinese takeout. The bookstore was a hardware store. The barber shop was still the same, but right next door was a new high-end looking salon. I looked into the window as we passed and then came to a screeching halt. My mouth went dry and my heart raced.
Olivia.
As if she’d heard me think her name, she slowly turned. Our eyes locked and she let out a little gasp. Her face drained of all color as I quickly turned and ran to catch up to the group.
She was the last person I wanted to see.
She was the only person I wanted to see.
Olivia
Chapter 4
I knew my mind must be playing tricks on me. It wouldn’t be the first time.
I still dreamed of a day when Baine Landry would walk back into my life. Eight years had passed and I still didn’t fully understand why he had left. I naively thought everything was great. We were talking about a future together. I was nervous about telling him I was pregnant, but there had been no doubt in my mind that he would be happy about it and take me as a mate as soon as my bear surfaced. Sure, we hadn’t planned it, but I knew everything was going to be okay.
He hadn’t left a note. No one would even talk about it. It was like he had never existed, but Macie was my constant reminder that he had.
I had hidden my pregnancy for nearly eight months. Layers or baggie clothes in the winter had helped tremendously with that, but my father had feared there was something wrong with me when I had finally turned eighteen and my bear still hadn’t shown herself.
It hadn’t been easy, but we’d gotten through it. I’d never confessed who the father was, but I suspected they all somehow knew. We’d been careful to conceal our relationship, but Killian had been his best friend and to this day my brothers still wouldn’t mention Baine’s name. That couldn’t be a coincidence.
I always assumed Baine had somehow found out about the baby and freaked out. I assumed that’s why he had left. I still held onto the hope that someday he’d return and at least claim his daughter even if he didn’t want me.
Eight years and that still hadn’t happened.
The front door jingled, and I turned to see who it was. When I looked back, the ghost of my past was gone. I sighed.
“Hello Mrs. Young. What can I do for you today?” I asked.
It hadn’t been easy making it through beauty school with a baby, but by the time Macie was four I’d saved up enough money to open my own business and it had flourished. I was proud of everything I had accomplished. Being a single mother wasn’t easy, though my brothers went above and beyond to help out with her.
“Oh, I’m just fine. I just wanted to come and check on you.”
“Well, thanks. I’m doing well.”
It seemed like an odd thing for Mrs. Young. She was the head of all the local gossips in the Clan and I made it a strict point to never do anything that would land me on that woman’s target.
“You’re certain? I just assumed you may be a little out of sorts, what with a certain handsome bear strolling into town after all this time.”
“I assure you, I have no idea what you’re talking about, but Phyllis is about to come off the dryer and I need to get to her perm before bad things happen.” I smiled and prayed she’d go away. I didn’t wait to find out. Instead, I moved on to Phyllis who was due to pull the curlers out.
Mrs. Young didn’t leave. Instead, she followed me around the salon just watching and waiting.
“You’re certain you’re okay?” she asked again.
“Of course, I’m fine.”
She looked a little frustrated.
I was working quickly to remove the curlers from Phyllis’s hair when the bomb was dropped.
“So you’re perfectly fine that the Landry boy is home after all these years?”
My hands stilled. What did she just say?
“That’s what I thought. You poor dear. You didn’t know.” Mrs. Young looked entirely too pleased with herself as she continued. “I didn’t believe it at first either, but Joan called Cathy to tell her first and then Cathy told me. Why I didn’t believe a word of it, but then just now, I saw him with my own eyes right here strolling down the street with Kano and a group of absolute strangers like they were on full parade. He’s changed that’s for sure. Dark and a little scary looking with all those tattoos. What is becoming of these young people today?”
She continued on with her rant, but it was all
I could do to keep the comb from falling out of my hand.
It hadn’t been a ghost this time. I wasn’t going crazy. Baine was back.
I didn’t know how I managed to walk through the motions of the rest of my day. Mrs. Young had given up and left disappointed when I assured her I didn’t know anything or care.
At closing time, I couldn’t lock the door fast enough. I walked to my office in the back and collapsed. There were a dozen things I should have been doing, but I just couldn’t. It was real. Baine was back. Why? Why now? Life was just finally settled for me and things were good. At my brothers’ persistence I’d even considered giving dating a try, something I had never done because stupid me was still pining for him.
I didn’t know how to process the idea that he was here. By all accounts, and there had been plenty throughout the afternoon, he was even hotter than he had been the last time I saw him.
The back door opened and I heard the pitter patter of little footsteps before she burst into the office and threw herself into my lap.
“Uncle Killian took me for ice cream. I told him that wasn’t allowed before dinner, but he insisted.” Gray eyes, the color of steal stared up at me awaiting approval or punishment. Even though I’d never confessed nor denied that Macie was Baine’s child, there was no denying those eyes. They were the exact same color as her father’s.
Much of the Clan had been shocked over my pregnancy and Mrs. Young and her friends had added new gray hairs to their heads trying to piece it altogether. Sure, they suspected Baine. The way he left and me showing up pregnant how could they not, but none of them knew for sure.
“It’s fine, sweetie. Uncles were created to break the rules,” I whispered as I tickled her.
She giggled and then ran off to play in the backroom now that her guilty conscious had been put to rest.
I got up and walked out to the front to start cleaning up for the night. Killian wasn’t the only one there. My cousins Felix, Resa, and Tori were there too.
“Does everyone think I’m going to fall apart or something? Because I’m not.”
“Told you,” Tori said.
“And you, ice cream before dinner, really?”
Killian ran a hand through his hair. “It’s been a day, Liv.”
Collision Course Page 3
