Patrick's Heart

by Stacey Espino

  She finally dropped her act, her beauty fading by the second. She grabbed a pack of cigarettes from the tabletop and lit up, taking a deep drag. “You think this job is easy? Go here, go there. I can’t settle in one place because I’m always traveling. Relationships? Forget it. So sue me if I like to have a little fun once in a while.”

  “You know this report is bogus. Just give Garret the all clear and be done with it. And I’ll be sure to keep your nighttime exploits between you and me.”

  “A bribe?”

  “A peace offering.”

  “Just when I was getting comfortable with Scott, you want me to pack up my bags? I’ll give you a clean report, but I’m not ready to go just yet.”

  He was about to tell her to take Scott with her, but Patrick needed him.

  “Let me talk with Scott and see what’s happening. Wait here. I’ll be back.”

  Patrick constantly had Cassidy on his mind, so it was hard to focus on anything else. All he wanted to do was return to her, beg her to accept him. His wolf whimpered within him, wounded by her rejection. But he wouldn’t grovel at her feet and force her to love him. He was used to blocking off emotion, but the years he kept closed off were catching up to him.

  “Hey! Wait up!” Scott was walking in the direction of the open pit, a place off-limits even for the crew without proper safety gear.

  He kept walking.

  Patrick jogged to catch up and then tugged one of the man’s shoulders back to stop him. “Didn’t you hear me? You can’t be here.”

  “You fuck her?” he asked, his voice carrying a bitter edge. Patrick could feel the hatred roll off the other man in waves.

  Patrick was at a loss. “Is that something you really need to know? You’re her brother, so that’s none of your business.” His suspicions grew. He narrowed his eyes, taking in the male from head to toe.

  “Brothers are supposed to care about who their sisters date.”

  “But you haven’t even met her yet.” Patrick was beginning to wonder if he wanted Cassidy to meet this asshole at all. She had put Scott up on a pedestal, and he could relate to her desperate need to connect with a relative. But Patrick learned long ago to only rely on himself and not to put faith in humans. This guy was strung tight, his patience balancing on a thin rope.

  He took an exaggerated breath. “Where is she? I’ve waited long enough to find her.”

  “She’s safe at the owner’s house.”

  “I thought she was your girlfriend.”

  “Look, do you want to meet her or not?” Patrick was losing patience by the second. He wished he knew what the right decision was. If he introduced Cassidy to this guy and only brought her disappointment, her dreams would be crushed. But he didn’t want to be known as the one to keep her from her dream either. What he needed was his alpha. Garret would know what to do, but he was back at the cabin with Cassidy and the rest of the pack.

  * * * *

  Cassidy awoke to the symphony of small birds chattering in the trees. She rolled to her side, realizing she was cradled within walls of solid muscle. She didn’t even remember falling asleep. As soon as her faculties returned, she sat up in a rush and looked around the cabin floor where the men were sleeping. She was looking for one thing—Patrick’s striking red hair.

  “What’s wrong, Cassie?” asked Garret.

  “Didn’t you go to get Patrick?” There were four bodies in the cabin. Had Patrick refused to return, not willing to forgive her careless comments? Her heart rate increased as panic set in. She just wanted everything to go back to the way it used to be, even if Patrick was part wolf.

  “He returned to his wolf form. I’m sure he’s just letting off steam. He’ll be back.”

  She shook her head. It wasn’t good enough. “What if he doesn’t? Where did he sleep?”

  Cassidy envisioned him cold and alone, forced to sleep in a cave or out in the bitter elements.

  “He could have gone home or even to the mine. He’s a big boy. I’m sure it’ll be sorted out today.” Garret eased her down into the crook of his strong arm. He began to play with her hair, running his fingers along her hairline. She started to relax, lulled by Garret’s air of authority and confidence. If he said everything would be okay, she had to believe it.

  Evan sat up, raking his hands through his blond hair. The sight of him reminded her of his promises. He said Garret would give her answers and she desperately needed them.

  “Tell me about Patrick, about Climax, about everything you’re hiding from me.” She didn’t speak in a demanding way, more pleading. If she didn’t get concrete answers soon, she’d lose her ever-loving mind.

  Garret held her head to his chest but didn’t speak.

  “What are you waiting for? She’s already seen Patrick, boss. She survived,” said Evan. She loved that he dared to question Garret now, continually moving forward from his quiet acceptance. All her men had shown such growth since she’d moved to Climax. Now she desperately needed to bond with her Viking…or her wolf.

  “Let’s wait until Patrick’s back. We’ll do this right once we’re all home tonight,” said Garret. “A few more hours of waiting won’t kill us. It’s time to go to work, and we can’t be lackadaisical with an inspector at the mine.”

  “Right. And when is she leaving exactly?”

  Garret chuckled and kissed the tip of her nose. “Soon you’ll never doubt me again. I promise you have nothing to feel insecure about.” At least she knew she was right about the secrets. He planned to reveal something monumental to her, something more profound than the revelation with Patrick.

  She couldn’t wait for that inspector to return to the city and far, far away from the men she loved. Just remembering Inspector Tanner’s perfect everything made her see red. It would be easier to trust her men if there weren’t so many secrets lingering around. Cassidy hoped tonight would end all the mystery and become a new page in her love life.

  “Who’s staying behind with Cassidy?” asked Matthew as he slipped on a clean T-shirt.

  “I have no choice but to be on-site. Any volunteers?” asked Garret. All three of them raised their hands, filling her heart with warmth. “Matthew, keep her here in case Patrick returns.”

  “Always playing favorites,” said Travis, tugging on a pair of jeans.

  “Go to work, Texas. You slack off enough on the job. You don’t need a holiday.”

  The men joked and talked about business as they readied for a day at the mine. She enjoyed watching them dress and roughhouse. Each man was a perfect specimen, and imagining taking all five tonight sent her womb aflutter.

  Immediately, Garret’s head snapped around, and his dark eyes bored into hers. Had he felt her rush of desire? Impossible.

  “Behave, Cassie. I’ll see you before sundown.” He quickly dressed and joined the other two men at the door. When he was gone, she sighed a breath of relief, dropping her head down onto her makeshift pillow.

  “You’re glad they’re gone?” asked Matthew, settling beside her on the floor.

  “No. Yes. It’s complicated.”

  “Garret doesn’t want me to touch you today. He wants you unspoiled for tonight.” He ran the tip of his finger along the swell of her breast, avoiding her nipple.

  “That’s mean.” She instantly felt a challenge. Could she get Matthew to disobey the almighty Garret?

  “Normally I wouldn’t think twice about breaking a few rules.” He slid his arm around her middle, a touch slower than melting chocolate. “Especially when it comes to you.”

  “Normally?”

  “In this case, I think it’s best to wait. You have no idea what you’re in store for, Cassidy.”

  “Not even a hint?” She made her move, smoothing her hand over his broad shoulder, savoring the way his thick muscles tensed under her touch.

  “It’s time you got your love bite.”

  Chapter Six

  “Why’re you bringing me here?” asked Scott. Patrick pulled into the lot of Cassidy�
��s run-down house. It would be the ideal meeting place since he could never reveal the location of Garret’s private cottage to an outsider. It was his private retreat, the place he used to escape the human world. Cassidy’s house hadn’t been used in ages. It was the perfect holding place for her brother. “She’s not here.”

  He knew Scott was at the house this morning. Patrick had tracked his scent all the way back to the mine. “I was wondering how you got to the mine. I didn’t see a vehicle parked in the lot.” It wouldn’t be possible for him to hike through the forest in such a short time period.

  They both walked to the front porch. He eyed the door, remembering the note left for Cassidy. If her brother didn’t leave it, then who?

  “I hitchhiked.”

  “Really. I honestly can’t remember ever passing a vehicle on these roads. They’re rarely traveled.”

  Scott ran his palm along the banister, gazing at the house with a twisted satisfaction. “I guess I was lucky.”

  Patrick grabbed his shirt, giving him a little shake. “Are you even listening to me? How the fuck did you get to the mine?”

  “Look, I came a long way for Cassidy. Where is she?”

  He was too close to losing his last shred of patience. “Just–just stay here and I’ll get her.” Patrick waited for Scott to enter the house, and then he got back into his truck. A voice within him continued to tell him something wasn’t right. But just because the human male was an asshole didn’t mean he wasn’t her brother. And what harm could he do in the run-down, old shack. Hopefully Scott would put on a better show for Cassidy. And he better not break her heart if his intentions weren’t honorable.

  He drove out to Garret’s cottage, the one hidden away from any sign of civilization. It would be strange seeing Cassidy again, and he feared her rejection. At least he would show up with good news. Patrick hoped it was enough to win her favor, enough for her to see that he wasn’t a savage beast, but a caring man, one that could make a good mate if given the chance.

  As soon as he pulled into the alcove off the main road, he didn’t see any other trucks. Had everyone gone to work and left Cassidy alone? Surely they weren’t that stupid. Corbin could still be out to get her, and the loggers could never be trusted.

  He walked the remaining distance through the heavy underbrush. A young deer darted to the right, but he ignored his instinct to shift and give chase. “Cassidy?” He pushed open the door but found exactly what he expected. She was gone. Although her scent was present, it was only a signature, a shadow of the recent past. Garret must have taken her back to the mine. Fuck. He didn’t want Ms. Tanner spilling the news about her brother before he showed up. This was supposed to be his big surprise, his redemption. He’d have to speed all the way back to Gregor Mining.

  * * * *

  “Will it hurt?” she asked. Cassidy sat in the passenger seat as Matthew drove them along the quiet back roads. She had a million questions, but he refused to humor her. As much as she had reservations about what was to come, she felt more like a kid at Christmas. Or what she gathered they felt from what she’d watched on television.

  “You’ll find out soon enough.”

  If they were going to spend all day together, she at least wanted to collect some things to make her stay at the remote cottage more comfortable. She much preferred the men’s little house, the one with modern amenities such as electricity and running water. It was the place she now considered home. Evenings cuddling in front of the fire with her men were new memories she cherished and hoped to relive over and over again.

  “I just want to change and get some blankets and stuff.”

  Matthew was on his way to the mine to pick up his two-way radio. She couldn’t stand being segregated at the cabin all day with no word on Patrick. He finally agreed to go get one.

  “I want you to come with me. Garret doesn’t want you alone, and neither do I.”

  The mine was close to her inherited house. Her miners may be terrified of leaving her alone, but she had renewed confidence in the light of day. She also hoped to run into Patrick, whether as the handsome man she loved or the red wolf that intrigued her.

  “It’ll just be a minute, and you’ll be around the corner. Sometimes a girl needs a few minutes to herself.”

  “Be ready to go in twenty minutes,” he finally agreed after her numerous requests.

  Too bad her place didn’t have a working shower because she’d love one about now. If she was going to be marked tonight she wanted to be clean for whatever they had in store. A little time alone would help her prepare for the monumental night she anticipated. Since Garret wanted her untouched, she could only hope it included something sexually explicit. Without a shower, her only choice was to use her alone time to freshen up in the freezing stream that cut through her property around back.

  She waved bye to Matthew as he drove off, the sound of his engine diminishing as he disappeared down the road. Once the quiet settled in, she realized her nerves weren’t made of steel after all. The forest was so hushed, vast, and foreboding. She rushed to the front porch and slammed the door shut behind her.

  If she only had twenty minutes, she had to move fast. She still had some basic supplies—extra clothes, blankets, towels, and pillows—stored in her house. Cassidy planned to grab a towel, rush out to the creek for a quick bath, and then be back before Matthew showed up.

  Her footsteps echoed on the creaky wooden floorboards. The house was void of furnishing, and besides a few odds and ends would appear deserted to most people. As she turned the corner where her stuff was stored, she froze in place. Her heart plummeted until she was a hollow shell of herself. There was a strange man in her house. It took her a moment to even garner his name, his face only vaguely familiar.

  “Peter?”

  “Hello, Cassidy.”

  She was still in a state of shock, adrenaline coursing through her veins. She tried to piece together all the fragments, not coming up with any logical reason her old coworker would be in Climax. In her house.

  “What are you doing here?”

  “You didn’t leave any way for me to contact you. I had no choice but to find you myself.” Find her? Peter worked in the mail room at the call center she’d worked at before moving north.

  “Why would you need to find me?”

  They had rarely even spoken, so it made no sense for her to even tell him she was leaving. He was just another face in a world she was trying to forget. Now he was here, acting irrational and possessive. She mentally tallied how many minutes it would be before Matthew returned.

  “Because you’re all I think about. When you left, my world was toppled upside down. I only had my collection of photos to remember you. I’ve tried to find you ever since you left.”

  She swallowed hard. If she spoke her mind, he may lose the fragile control he had on his sanity. But she wouldn’t encourage him either. “What pictures?”

  He smiled. “I have my ways. Your desk was right across from an empty office. It was the perfect vantage point.”

  Holy shit! “What about your job? Did they give you paid leave to come up here?”

  “Money means nothing to me compared with you.” He stepped closer, but she countered his movements. “I’m just glad I wasn’t too late.”

  “Too late for what?” she said, barely above a whisper. Every horror movie she’d ever watched came to mind.

  “To claim you as mine.”

  * * * *

  Garret didn’t like the foreign scent on his property. A male. As alpha of his pack and owner of Gregor Mining, land and boundaries meant everything. If he couldn’t keep outsiders off his land, he could kiss it all good-bye. A show of weakness was like blood in the water, and the sharks would move in for the kill, namely the Rockford wolves.

  He did a quick sweep of the property, sending Evan and Travis to search the pit and equipment sheds. After checking the main office, he nearly crashed into Patrick.

  “Well, well, well. Decided to finally
show your face? You realize Cassidy was upset all night.”

  “Why? She hates me for what I am.”

  “She’s just scared and confused, which is understandable. It’s the reason I’ve put off revealing ourselves for so long.”

  “Unfortunately I’m the bad guy now. The four of you are her fucking saviors, protecting her from the big bad wolf.” Patrick slammed the heel of his hand against the wall.

  “Everything’s fine. It’s not exactly as I planned, but she’s okay with everything. You’re all she’s talked about since you took off.”

  Garret could feel Red’s turbulent emotions, and he felt for his pack mate. He was battling new feelings of love and possessiveness, while trying to control his wolf’s anger, frustration, and bloodlust. One of Garret’s worst nightmares was to witness Cassie rejecting him because of his true identity. Now Patrick was living it, and Garret had to make things right for his pack and his woman.

  “Well where is she now?”

  “I left her at my cabin with Matthew. Tonight we’ll make things official, complete the mating bond.”

  He shook his head. “I was just there. Cassidy isn’t at your place and neither was Matthew.”

  Garret wanted to rip his hair out by the roots. Why couldn’t any of his men follow a few simple instructions? He had to deal with Ms. Tanner, worry about Cassie, and now had to find the source of the strange male scent.

  “That’s just great, Red. Like I didn’t have enough problems on my plate.”

  The door to the trailer opened, bringing in the sound of the engines warming up for the day. Business had to carry on as usual. Unfortunately, the face he saw only made things worse.

  “What the fuck are you doing here? What part of ‘watch Cassidy at the cabin’ did you not understand?”

  “Sorry, boss. Just came to pick up a two-way.” He nodded to Patrick. “Looks like it was a good thing I showed up. She was worried Patrick would come to the mine without her knowing.”