Wolf in Gucci Loafers (Tales of the Harker Pack Book 2)

by Tara Lain

  He still didn’t know what he’d do if any of the guys from the department saw them together. No, seeing was okay. Lindsey looked really pretty and his loafers were fucking purple, but he was tall and athletic. Not too bad. If anyone met him, though—jeez. Sometimes he toned it down, but you never knew when the next “darling” would slip out from between those pink lips. But Seth’s cock did not care one tiny prick’s worth if Lindsey was effeminate. Hell, he actually liked it, which scared the fuck out of him.

  One thing for sure. He grinned. He could not wait for tonight.

  Chapter Nine

  Lindsey hobbled out of the parking garage and glanced both ways. A few people on the street, but no one seemed to notice an old woman resting by a wall. He’d had to wait for two people to leave the garage. Old grannies did not drive expensive electric cars—at least, not usually.

  Bending over his cane, he started down the street toward the warehouse. It might be this one. Maybe not. But he’d looked at all the properties owned by that conglomerate. Only three appeared to be unoccupied, and one of them was the place the police had found Carla. No going back there. This could be a wild hare, but he had to look. He’d made a couple of calls that revealed the victim was the twenty-two-year-old son of a friend of his family. Lindsey didn’t know the boy, but even for a stranger, he would have felt compelled to go.

  Granny speed did not add up to much hurrying. A couple of people passed and glanced at him with a little smile or widened eyes. Maybe Granny was getting too famous. He’d need another persona, but he’d be sad to lose Granny.

  Like the previous building, this one looked abandoned, surrounded by a high wire fence lined with plastic so you couldn’t see in. He tottered along the fence line looking for a way in. Finally, a piece of the metal fencing and plastic liner were pulled back. No evidence of a vehicle entry. This looked like his best opportunity. With a glance around, he gathered his skirts and scrambled through the small opening.

  On the other side—crickets. Quiet. Broken tarmac with grass and weeds pushing through in spots. The big open space made it hard to hide and the brilliant, near-full moon compromised the darkness seriously.

  But he wasn’t going to find any kidnappers hanging around there. Staying in the shadow of the fence for as long as he could, he crept around the perimeter until he got to the nearest point to the building, then ran across the space. If anybody saw that, Granny’s reputation as an old lady was toast.

  Pressed against the building, he moved slowly along the wall. What was that? A faint noise like a television or radio. He hurried to the corner of the building and peeked around. These guys should have been more careful, not less, but an access door cracked open with a line of light showing around it. The sound came from there. He’d been lucky last time. This time, he couldn’t count on there being no guard. He pulled his Beretta Nano from Granny’s purse….

  Holy shit! Three cars and a van, no lights, pulled around the corner of the building. Lindsey turned and slithered back to the corner of the structure and slipped around it. Police. It had to be. He peeked. Sure enough, the van opened and a flood of FBI poured out in full body armor with automatic weapons drawn. He should vanish, but he wanted to be sure the boy got out alive. SWAT tactics had the subtlety of a brick sometimes.

  He pressed against the plaster. If he could just wait….

  All hell broke loose around the corner. Lights, megaphones, the crashing of walls. Damn. Brick subtlety indeed. He’d better get the hell out of there.

  “Hey you, stop where you are.” A flashlight strobed across Lindsey’s—or rather Granny’s—body. The second the light moved, he ran like a rabbit, low and fast. Thank God he was faster than most humans. He’d get across the parking lot, find a crowd, ditch Granny’s outfit, and blend in.

  He got to the edge of the building and sprinted toward the fence…. Wham! He staggered back three feet before he saved himself from falling, only to feel a hard hand grab the collar of his dress.

  A voice—Oh God, not that voice—said, “I got her, Barry. No worries. Go on back.”

  Lindsey struggled, but Seth’s strong hands held him. He had to break free. With a twist, he yanked his arm, swept Seth’s ankles with his other foot—Oh God, don’t hurt him—and pulled himself loose as Seth stumbled.

  Fence. Free. He turned—

  “Lindsey?”

  He could run, not answer. But Seth knew.

  “Shit, is that you?” Seth staggered toward him with a gun still drawn but pointed at the ground.

  Oh right. He still held the Beretta clutched in his hand. He stuck it inside the needlepoint purse. “Yes.”

  “You’re—you’re Super Granny?”

  Lindsey nodded. Seth could laugh. Think it was funny. He could.

  The harsh crack of the voice hurt like he’d been shot. “What the hell do you think you’re doing? Who the fuck do you think you are? You decided you could do it better? Some rich-ass bitch who doesn’t have to follow the law. Oh no, he’s above all that.”

  “You know I don’t think that.”

  “Do I? You knew I was on this case. If you trusted me to handle it, you wouldn’t be here. Hell, I don’t know who you are at all.”

  “Seth, that’s not fair. These are people I know and care about. I had an idea about the warehouse but no proof. The police always need proof.”

  “I always need proof? You couldn’t have come to me?” He rammed the gun into the holster he wore at the small of his back, then stared at Lindsey. “No, you just figured you could do it better. You’re smarter, more talented, and way richer. I thought you were something special, but you’re just one more overentitled, overeducated son of a bitch.”

  It felt like somebody stepped on his chest. In boots. Tears flashed behind his eyes. “That’s not fair.”

  “Fair? You’ve had more than your share of fair your whole overprivileged life.”

  Who the hell did this human think he was? “Are you going to put Granny in jail so she doesn’t steal your fucking thunder? God forbid, she should make you look bad.” He crossed his arms over his well-stuffed chest.

  Seth’s fists bunched. “No. Get the fuck out of here. I’ll tell them I lost you.”

  Lindsey stared at the only man—in fact, the only male of any kind—he’d ever thought he could care for. “You’re certainly right about one thing.” He started walking toward the fence.

  “What?”

  He looked back over his shoulder but never slowed his steps. “You did lose me.”

  Lindsey sipped his tea and pulled his dressing gown tighter around him. Yes, he’d been sitting here for hours staring into space, drowning his sorrows in Wuyi Oolong. He’d told Pop-Pop he didn’t feel well and wasn’t coming to work today. The old man looked worried, but accepted Lindsey’s story that he’d caught a bug. Ever since, he’d been feeling sorry for himself. Yes, it was stupid. He’d known before he ever set eyes on Seth’s ass that he had no future with any human. Hellfire, even if Seth walked in now and threw himself at Lindsey’s feet begging forgiveness, what would he say? Sorry I didn’t tell you I’m Super Granny. Oh by the way, I’m also a werewolf? Yes, that would happen.

  But his stupid heart didn’t care. Seth had pulled it out of his chest, stomped on it, spit for good measure, and stuck it back in. It no longer fit. Why did the universe have to give him one little taste of happiness before yanking it away? He’d been okay when he had no hope. Now? Not so okay anymore. He sipped and tried to enjoy the peach overtones of the tea. No go. Might as well have been piss.

  The rap on the door to his suite sounded firm for the maid.

  He called, “I don’t need anything, thank you.”

  “Lindsey, open the damned door.”

  Cole.

  He half smiled, but that reminded him of Seth, so he quit it. Tying the robe tighter, he rose, crossed to the door, and opened it. “Hello, my friend. My grandfather put you up to this, didn’t he?”

  Cole’s big body more than filled
the door. He grinned. “He did, but if I’d known you were at home nursing a broken heart, I’d have come on my own.”

  Lindsey shook his head and crossed back to his couch. The door closed behind him and Cole’s footsteps followed him. Lindsey sat beside his teacup and motioned for Cole to take the chair. “The old devil. Why does he think I have a broken heart?”

  Cole stretched out his long legs. “He didn’t say. Just said he thought you’d been disappointed in a romantic liaison.” Cole chuckled. “Your grandfather does have a way with words. So, you want to tell me about it? Is it that guy you had the date with?”

  Lindsey shook his head.

  “So tell me.”

  He sighed. “You don’t want to hear it.”

  He felt as much as saw Cole’s body tense. “Why?”

  Lindsey looked up. “He’s human. And he’s a cop.”

  “Shit.”

  “Yeah. But it doesn’t matter. He’s done with me, which is just as well, because what the hell would I have told him anyway?”

  “You mean you didn’t break up because he found out you’re a werewolf?”

  Lindsey frowned. Of course, that was Cole’s primary concern, but it didn’t feel much like a friend who wanted the best for him no matter what it was. “No, he broke up with me because he found out I was Super Granny.”

  “Who?”

  “You know, the old lady who saved the governor’s daughter. It was on the news.”

  “That was you?”

  “Yes.” He crossed his arms over his chest.

  Cole barked a laugh. “Taking some chances there, buddy.”

  Lindsey frowned even deeper. “I wasn’t in fur at the time. I did it as a human.”

  Cole leaned forward. “Right. And they catch you, toss you in jail, and the full moon arrives.”

  Lindsey sprang to his feet. Enough, dammit. “I love you, darling, but I’m kind of tired of taking crap from both humans and werewolves this week. I seem to be failing in my perceived obligations to both groups. I’m over quota.” He stomped to the fireplace and looked in, even though the fire wasn’t lit. “My werewolf blood isn’t so strong that I have to shift. I negotiate human activities all the time at the full moon, and you’ve never rushed into a Vanessen corporate meeting to pull me out for a run. I think your precious secret is safe with me.”

  Cole sounded serious. “Our secret. It’s our secret.”

  Lindsey put his hands on his hips and stared at Cole. “I don’t remember the secret being such a big deal when we rushed into the heart of human land to rescue Paris. You weren’t so damned concerned then.”

  Cole’s silvery wolf eyes gazed back. He blew out his breath. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”

  Lindsey crossed back and sat on the edge of the sofa cushion. “I understand that you’re going to be alpha and that’s a huge deal. But we used to be best friends. Us against the world. The only gay werewolves.” He stared down at his hands. “I guess I miss it.”

  He practically fell on the floor when the big body hit the cushions next to him and Cole grabbed him up in a hug. “I’m so sorry, Linds. I am your best friend, and that’s more important to me than anything, including the pack.”

  Okay, that felt a little better. He hugged back. “All is forgiven.” He laughed.

  Cole finally let go and sat back with his arm around Lindsey. “So tell me about the guy.”

  Weird. It almost hurt too much. How had he gotten so attached so quickly? “He’s a cop who’s active in the kidnapping investigations. We got on well, but he was disappointed that I didn’t tell him I was Granny. He thought I believed I was more capable than the police. He said some pretty nasty things.” He sucked in a shuddering breath. “But it had to end anyway, so I guess now was as good a time as any.”

  Cole’s arm tightened. “I’m truly sorry, buddy. We need to find a good werewolf for you. Then you won’t have these problems.”

  “I’m too human for any male werewolf. And much too gay.” He looked up at his friend. “Hell, Cole, you’re the blue blood of superwolves, and even you couldn’t find a mate until you met Paris.”

  “But I did meet Paris, that’s the point.”

  “And before him, who did you have in your life?”

  He stared at his hand. “Random humans.”

  “Right. One guy in twenty-four years for the most eligible gay werewolf in the country. I’ve got no chance. I accepted that years ago, but then Seth came along, and I started wishing again.” He took a breath. “Wishing is evil. I’m giving it up. I’ll even avoid birthday candles and fountains from now on.” He tried to laugh.

  Cole’s arm tightened even more, but he didn’t say anything. Right. What was there to say?

  Seth stared at his computer screen, but all he could see was the funny, waddling figure in the flowered dress walking away from him. Gone for good.

  What the fuck? He’d done the right thing. He couldn’t let a guy like that get away with this kind of fucking vigilantism. What else could he do? But if he couldn’t do anything else, why the fuck did he feel like somebody had peeled his skin off?

  A hand dropped on his shoulder. He looked up from his desk. Estevez. “Hi.”

  The stocky, black-haired cop gave him a smile. “Great job on sniffing out that location. I heard the kid had been roughed up a bit. At least he was alive.”

  “Yeah. It seems he fought back, and the kidnappers didn’t like that. He could have gotten himself killed.”

  “But he didn’t, thanks to you.”

  He shrugged. “I was lucky. We got a random report of some activity in an abandoned building. I put it together with our case and we showed up in time.”

  Estevez’s grin spread. “I hear you’re not as lucky at catching grandmas. The slippery old dame even got away from the Zakowsky machine. Can’t believe it.”

  Two of the other guys looked up when Estevez laughed. Rickson walked over and slapped Seth on the other shoulder. “Yeah, man, never send a gay guy to catch a broad.”

  Which he had to admit was kind of funny. He barked out a couple of laughs. Oh yeah, he couldn’t have brought Lindsey to meet these guys. They’d never have let Seth forget it.

  Rickson sat on the edge of the desk. “Did you get a good look at her? What was she like?”

  He popped his breath. “Really old-looking, but she sure moved like a damned rabbit.”

  “You think she’s really a woman?”

  Shit no. For all the lavender and “darlings” and purple loafers, Lindsey Vanessen was as far from a woman as any man he’d ever known. Just thinking about him left a hole in Seth’s chest the size of a damned polo pony. “Yeah, she’s a woman all right. But I lost her.”

  Lindsey stared out the window of his suite at the buds bursting on the trees. One morning of self-absorption was about all he could take. The moon made him antsy too. Almost full. He’d like to go get Jazz out of school and take him riding. The school probably wouldn’t see an afternoon on horseback as an educational experience.

  Bath time. He’d run some scented water earlier, and the jasmine fragrance wafted in from the bathroom. He’d drown his sorrows. Tying up his hair, he walked to the bathroom, tossed his robe, and slipped into the steaming water. Ahhh. Good.

  Would be nice to have a companion in this tub.

  Don’t think about that.

  His fingers drifted across his belly and combed through his pubic hair.

  Wish somebody else was doing that.

  Shit. Relax.

  Will I ever feel like I did with Seth ever again?

  “Dammit!”

  He leaped to his feet in the bubbly water. Peace. He wanted peace!

  His phone rang.

  “Shit.” He grabbed for it, lost his balance, slipped, and hit his butt hard on the marble surround. “Ow!” He caught himself before he tumbled on the floor and managed to step out on the bath mat. He picked up the caterwauling phone, now on its third ring. “What?”

  “Uh, Lindsey?”r />
  He glanced at his phone screen, then put it back to his ear. “Hi, Bruce. Sorry, I nearly fell.”

  “I should have called to warn you I was going to call.” He giggled.

  Cute. “Right. What can I do for you, darling?”

  “Well, you said I should call you if I wanted to ask you out on a date.”

  Oh God. Could he do pale and pallid after hot and sexy? Shit, he’d best get used to it again. “When did you have in mind?”

  Bruce’s voice brightened. “When are you free?”

  The words popped out. “What about now? I’m free. Are you?”

  “Uh, wow, yes, I can be. Something special you want to do?”

  “Anything that will give me some bloody peace.”

  “Hang on.” Bruce seemed to put his hand over the phone, and Lindsey heard muffled voices. “Sorry. Had to check that I can get the time off.”

  Lindsey sighed. “It’s okay. I don’t want to interfere with your work. It was a harebrained idea. We can do it another time.”

  “No, no. It’s fine. How about we meet at the club and I take you on a picnic? I’ll get the chef to make us up something. It’s warm today, and nothing is more peaceful than a picnic.”

  Yes, counting the ants in his food was soothing. “Sounds lovely. How soon shall we meet?”

  “In an hour?”

  “See you there.”

  Since he didn’t much care how he looked, Lindsey dressed in record time and was sitting at the bar in the club in jeans and a white cable-knit sweater, sipping a well-deserved martini, when Bruce walked in.

  Bruce put a hand on his shoulder and kissed his cheek. A little presumptuous, but nice. “I like it when my dates are anxious.”