by Tia Didmon
Jane huffed as the girl left. “She knows this is a business meeting or she wouldn’t be hitting on you.”
Brock dipped a fry in his gravy. “You have gone to great lengths to give that impression.”
Jane shook her head. “It’s not...”
“Eat your food before it get’s cold.” He popped the fry into his mouth and picked up his burger.
Jane had a flashback of her father saying the same thing to her as a child. She grabbed her fork.
“You look like you eat enough salad.”
“Pardon me?”
“You heard me. Burger. Now.” He took an exaggerated bite, smiling as he chewed.
“Savage,” she snipped.
Brock swallowed loudly. “Diva.”
Jane’s mouth dropped before she regained her composure. “Are all shifter’s as annoying as you?”
Brock pretended to think about her question. “I hope not. I aim to be the best at anything I set my mind to.”
“Figures.” She took a bite of her burger. She had to stop herself from moaning, it tasted so good. She ate at the finest restaurants every day and had never had this kind of reaction to food.
“Good, huh?”
She swallowed. “Best burger I’ve ever had.”
“That’s what Jenny told me,” he said taking another bite of his.
Jane took a sip of her cider. “Jenny told you about this place?”
“I asked her where the best place to eat was.”
Jane surveyed her ratty surroundings.
Brock leaned in. “I asked the best place to eat, not the fanciest.”
Jane nodded and continued to eat.
Brock finished his food, waiting for her to finish hers before he spoke. “Is your sister part of the shifter experiments?”
Jane frowned. “You mean the shifter trials?”
“Is that what Kevin calls it?” he said in disgust.
Jane was confused. “Carla’s been a part of several of Kallan Corps trials but none have had any effect on her memory.”
“What about physically?”
“Physically she is identical to me, perhaps a little more athletic as she has trouble sitting still. She runs a lot.”
Brocks eyes glinted yellow. “So, how Kevin comes by the shifter samples doesn’t bother you?”
Jane shrugged. “No. Why would it?” She saw Brock tense up.
His hands curled into fists before he relaxed them. “How do you think he get’s them?”
“He pays your species for them.”
Brock let out a loud breath. “You believe this?”
“I have met and paid a couple of the... donors.” She could tell she surprised him.
He lowered his voice. “You met Cyril?”
Her eyebrows furrowed. “Who’s Cyril?”
“Which donors were you talking about?”
“Razel and Talbot.” she said.
Brock paused. “I know all about Razel. His treachery destroyed the entire coyote pack. I haven’t heard of Talbot. Is he another coyote?”
“I didn’t know their species designations. I simply transferred funds to the accounts they provided.”
Brock’s eyes hardened. “There seems to be some gaps in your education.”
Jane frowned. “I don’t understand.”
“Do you want the truth?”
Did she? Knowing wouldn’t change anything. “Yes.”
Brock needed her to understand the true depravity of her boss. She hadn’t lied. She was being played. Kevin was using her and he wanted her to break ties with the monster she was working for.
Brock took a deep breath. “I think you should seriously consider ending your contract with Kevin Kallan.”
Jane pushed her plate away. “I can’t do that.”
“Why?”
“I am privy to sensitive information. Kevin Kallan is my first and will be my last employer,” she said.
“What kind of deal did you agree to?”
“It’s not your concern.”
Brock’s eyes flashed. “That’s where you’re wrong.”
“I’m not your problem, Brock.”
“I don’t consider you a problem. You’re more of a puzzle. Cats are curious creatures.”
Jane’s eyebrows went up. It was the first sign of real interest he had seen from her. “You’re a cat. May I ask what kind?”
Brock was surprised. “You don’t know?”
“No. I know you’re a shifter. I don’t know which species.”
“Why would Kallan keep that from you?”
“It isn’t required information for me to complete our transaction.”
Brock eyes narrowed. “Nothing like sending someone in blind. I’m a cougar.”
Brock watched her eyes light up before she looked down. She was forcing the reaction from her face. When she returned his gaze her face had regained the regal disinterested look she always wore. His cat grumbled while sending him a vivid image of taking her from behind. Brock cleared his throat trying to clear the image from his mind.
She nodded. “Cats are amazing creatures.”
“You like cats?’
“My sister has one. He’s ten years old now.”
Brock smiled. “What’s his name?”
Jane paused. “Oreo.”
Brock laughed. “He’s black and white I take it.”
“Yes. We were twelve when we named him,” she said in a sad tone.
“We. So, he’s both yours and your sister’s cat.”
Jane glanced away. “I don’t see him much. Are you planning on telling me why you believe I should quit my job?”
Brock sighed. “Yes. I was enjoying the thought of twin twelve-year-old girls playing with a cat named after a cookie.”
Jane fiddled with her napkin. “You want a family someday?”
Brock’s face went serious. “More than anything.”
Jane nodded. “It’s something I will never have. Tell me what you will.”
Brock’s jaw twitched. “Alright. Your boss is a fucking bastard.”
“I’m well aware of who and what Kevin Kallan is.”
“You’re aware he took samples from the coyotes without their consent. He helped Razel destroy his entire pack.”
“No, but those choices were Razel’s. He came to Kevin.”
“I believe that but Cyril didn’t. My cousin was abducted. Experimented on. Turned into a fucking madman. He was rotting from the inside out when we found him.”
Jane looked surprised. “What?”
“He isn’t buying the samples from the shifters. He is taking them. Experimenting on us for the purpose of extending his own life. And selling the prospect of longer life spans to his clients.”
Jane eyes went back and forth as if she were remembering something. Her straight face made her difficult to read. “He wouldn’t...
“He did. And then there’s Racheal.”
Jane held up her hand. “I met Racheal. She worked for Kevin.”
Brock laughed without humor. “She was abducted and forced to work for him. He held her for four years, Jane.”
Jane swung her head. “No, she was dating Jordan Cortez. One of Kevin’s business partners.”
“Jesus fuck, Jane. Jordan Cortez was also Jordan Kallan. He was Kevin’s son. How could you not know that?” he snapped.
Jane sat back. “No, he... Camila and Kevin?”
Brock hated what he was doing. He was ripping her world apart, and he wasn’t finished. “You honestly had no idea Racheal was in lockdown. You didn’t see the reports of her abduction on the TV?”
Jane’s composure heightened Brock’s anger. “Of course I saw the missing persons reports. Kevin said it was part of their long-term plan and that Racheal had to get away from Sarah Marksman. Apparently, Sarah had threatened her life. Kevin showed me pictures of Jordan and Racheal at a geneticists convention. She appeared happy. There were hundreds of people around them.”
Brock sighed. “She dat
ed Jordan for a couple of months prior to being abducted. She kept it a secret from Sarah. Sarah was the one looking for Racheal. They’re best friends.”
Jane rolled her shoulders uncomfortably. “I suspected that he wasn’t entirely truthful about the situation when Racheal mated a Cascade but I didn’t think she had been kept against her will.”
Brock knew she wasn’t lying. She had been kept in the dark and Kevin had to know she would find out the truth on this assignment. She had become a liability Kevin couldn’t afford. “Jane, there’s no way Kevin thought you would complete this transaction without this information coming to light. You have to know your life is in danger and so is your sister’s.”
Jane’s eyes went cold. “He probably did. He’s also aware that me finding out will not make a difference. My life and Carla’s are guaranteed to be safe. We are not the ones in danger.”
Brock huffed. “You sold your soul to the devil.”
Jane didn’t flinch. “Yes, and that deal is non-negotiable.”
She kept her face neutral yet her insides were turning. Kevin had warned her about the shifters. Jane had been careful to protect herself from a hormonal connection. She couldn’t protect herself from the truth. She had a knack for ferreting out lies. It was the reason Kevin kept her around. “How can I possibly confirm what you say is true? A shifter will take your side. Kevin’s people will take his.”
Brock’s eyes flared. “You think I would make this shit up. What man or species would agree to that kind of torture?”
Jane sat like a statue. Every emotion in check. Having an angry opponent put her back in her comfort zone. “I have only your word that any form of abuse took place. I saw none when dealing with the shifters assigned to me.”
Brock paused. “You had two shifters assigned to you. Who were the rest assigned to?”
“Jordan also handles shifter clients.”
“Jordan is dead.”
“That’s not possible.”
“You’ve seen him in the last two months?”
Jane felt uneasy. “No, but if he were, Kevin would have had me take over the accounts until a suitable replacement could be found.”
“You have no idea what’s really going on.”
Jane’s mind raced. “I will make some inquiries.”
Brock huffed. “Fine. You done?”
She nodded and stood. The waitress rushed over with the bill. Brock gave her a hundred-dollar bill. “Keep the change.” He held open the door. “Come on, princess.”
Jane nodded cordially to the waitress, grabbed her purse, then walked stiffly from the restaurant.
They walked back to the hotel without saying a word. Brock waited for her to open her door. She expected him to leave, but he strode into her room like he owned it.
She put her purse on the table. “You are not required to walk me to my bedroom.”
Brock laughed without humour. “Yet, despite the circumstances, that’s exactly what I want to do.”
“I already told you...”
Brock held up his hand. “I heard what you said. I see the way you act. Holding me and everyone around you at a distance. I’m sure that’s the only way to survive in Kevin Kallan’s world.”
Jane forcibly kept her breath even. “Your point?”
Brock looked her over. “What if you didn’t have to stay in Kevin Kallan’s employ?”
Jane didn’t flinch. She had given up on dreams years ago. “That isn’t a possibility.”
Brock rubbed his forehead. “Allow me to help you out of your sweater. Then I’ll go.”
Jane glanced down at the thin black cardigan. She had forgotten she was wearing it. She turned moving her hands behind her so he could slip it off.
His hands bumped the clip in her hair, causing the long curls to tumble down her back in a river of red silk. She flinched when he used his hand to move the strands to one shoulder.
She turned, preparing to accuse him of doing it on purpose but his expression stopped her.
Brock grabbed a portion of her hair at her shoulder, running his hand through it to the end. “Extraordinary.” He stepped closer. The heat from his body was a beacon, pulling her toward him. She stepped back, forcing her hair to slip through his fingers.
Brock looked at her, his eyes intense. “Do you honestly think I will hurt you?”
“No.” I’ll hurt you. The words were unspoken yet he heard every word.
He stepped closer, his chest almost touching hers. His hand skimmed her shoulder while holding her gaze. “Your hair is beautiful. Like a river of fire.”
Jane attempted to block out the erotic feel of his hands on her skin. “It’s just hair.”
“It’s soft and warm. Everything you pretend not to be.”
“I’m...”
“Pretending.” He persisted.
Jane focused on her mission. “Doing my job.”
Brock smiled. “I thought redheads were supposed to have fiery tempers yet I struggle to get a reaction from you even now.”
Her eyes hardened. “I would hate to fall under a stereotype.”
Brock leaned in. His seductive voice tickled her ear. “You interest me... and my cat.”
“I was warned that your species is highly sexual. You will not find me easy prey,” she said coolly.
She closed her eyes when he nuzzled her neck. “Do you think I’m hunting you, Jane?” he said silkily.
“Yes.”
“I admit it’s refreshing to be able to admit what I am.” His lips moved over her cheek.
The loud bang on the door startled her. “Jane!” Danov shouted.
She ran to the door, opening it quickly. “What’s happened?”
Danov looked suspiciously between the two of them, his eyes lingering on the fiery locks bouncing at her shoulders. “Kevin wishes a word with you.”
Jane glanced at Brock. “Mr. Cascade was just leaving. I will call him now.”
Danov nodded, moving aside so Brock could pass.
Brock was at the door frame when Danov put his arm across the door. “Careful Mr. Cascade. Paradise can kill you.”
Chapter 3
Brock knocked on Jane’s door. He had dreamed about her last night. He never dreamt about women. He was so in-sync with his cat that his dreams were about hunting or running in the forest. Since he hadn’t shifted in a week, his cat should have been ornery. It was fascinated, on the verge of obsessed with Jane Eden. He had dreamt of dragging Jane to the forest, which seemed like a spectacular idea until he woke up.
She let him in. Her face wore the impenetrable mask that he had come to accept as her form of armor but he was sure she was uncomfortable. “I’m ready.” She glanced at Danov in warning.
Danov crossed his arms. “I wish to accompany Jane to the meeting.”
Brock shrugged, turning. “Deal’s off.”
Jane grabbed his arm. “No, wait. Victor was only asking. I’m authorized to go alone.”
Brock felt her touch warm his skin. His cat purred. What the fuck? He took a calming breath. “Then, no.” He looked at Danov. “I know what you are. You’re not coming within ten feet of Racheal. No Kallan thug is.”
Danov’s eyes flashed orange before returning to their muddy brown. He nodded coldly but his eyes held retribution.
They drove for an hour and a half before turning down a dirt road. They hadn’t spoken much during the drive. “How long has Victor Danov been in Kallan’s employ?”
“Five years, why?” she said.
“I was just curious how long he had before he starts to rot,” Brock said.
“Rot?”
“He’s part of Kallan’s soldier program. They’re enhanced but start to rot... die after several years. How can you not know about the soldiers when you have one guarding you?”
Jane frowned. “I know about them and that they are enhanced using your DNA but I haven’t seen any evidence of them rotting as you put it,” she said snidely.
He was pissing her off. He w
ould rather have her anger than no reaction at all. Part of him knew he was acting like an impatient toddler. He didn’t care. He would do anything necessary to bring the real Jane Eden to the surface. “You haven’t heard of any soldiers that were in Kevin’s employ more than say five years be given a solo assignment that they were conveniently killed on?”
Jane turned toward him, searching his face. “Of course he’s had soldiers die in the field.”
“You need to take a second look at your employer, Jane or it’s going to get you killed.”
She looked back at the road. “He won’t hurt me.”
“Until you fail to hold up your end of your contract.”
He saw Jane flinch before her stony expression returned. There was definitely more to this agreement, and he planned to find out.
They arrived at a small building.
Brock got out of the SUV and opened Jane’s door.
Jane grabbed the black case that contained the samples she was to give to Racheal. She got out, looking around the empty parking lot and surrounding forest. “We are in the middle of nowhere. This can’t be it.”
Brock closed her door. “Trust me.”
Jane gave him a hard look that said ‘not likely.’
They entered the building and were met by Hunter and Racheal.
Brock hugged Racheal and shook his brother’s hand. “It’s good to see you both.”
Hunter laughed. “You’re missing out on all the fun.’
“Oh?”
“Aidan’s training.”
“Ah.”
Jane looked at Hunter. “Are you talking about the polymorph?”
Brock went stiff. His brother and sister in-law had a similar reaction. “How do you know about Aiden?”
“Kevin said a shifter named Aiden took an experimental serum and that it had a side-effect. He morphed from one species to another.”
Racheal stepped forward. “You lying bitch.”
Hunter put his arm around his mate. “Baby, we talked about this.”
Racheal looked at the man she loved and her face softened. “Sorry.” She turned back to Jane. “Let’s get this over with.”
Racheal pulled away from Hunter. “Please follow me, Jane. I would like to get those samples into our cold storage fridge and send the data you brought to Garrett.”
