by Anya Nowlan
His bear immediately focused on Lily’s voice. She sounded distressed, making him slow down as he tried to make out what she was saying.
But even with his superior hearing, he couldn’t make out any words. With this distraction, both he and Connor came to a halt, exchanging a quick look. Should they go back? It sounded like the guys were calling their names, walking deeper into the forest.
Connor growled, stretching his neck toward the trail of the unknown shifter. Catching his brother’s drift, they both lunged back into the chase. But they had waited too long. The trees thinned to reveal a small dirt road, with fresh tires tracks still clear in the mud.
The paw prints of two bears stopped short right at the edge of the road, turning into boot impressions instead.
Someone was waiting here to pick up our shifter spies.
Crash roared in frustration. With the bears’ scent now tainted by the scent of gasoline, and the muddy tire tracks leading up and down the path, with no way of knowing which way the vehicle went, his chances of catching up to the unwanted guests was slim.
Connor huffed out an annoyed breath as he turned back towards the house. Lily had clearly gotten the rest of the team involved, and they had better go back to let the guys know they were alright, before the whole forest was teeming with bears.
Sprinting back as quickly as their massive bodies allowed, they ran into Eddie first. Crash pushed his animal side back down, despite the growl still reverberating at the back of his throat. The shift turned inwards as his frame shrunk down, back to his 6′3″self.
Rolling his shoulders, he looked down to see himself on two feet again, with his brother standing at his side.
“Found them!” Eddie called out, turning his head back towards the house.
“Everything’s fine,” Crash called out. “Just some shy shifters,” he added under his breath.
“Now that’s an oxymoron,” Connor pointed out.
“What did you call me?” Eddie asked.
“Never mind,” Connor waived a dismissive hand. “The point is, there were bears sneaking around the house, and we just missed our opportunity to find out why.”
Crash felt his lips thin into a line. Something was going on here that he wasn’t aware of. And he didn’t like that one bit.
Fifteen
Lily
Lily watched from her bedroom window as the team emerged, running out of the woods and stopping at the back of the house. Her focus immediately went to Crash and Connor, standing around by the door, talking and laughing about something she couldn’t hear.
All the excitement from last night had already died down, or it could be that the guys just weren’t discussing what had happened around her. She couldn’t exactly blame them if that were the case. Barging in on the team’s movie night and rambling on about bears in the woods might have given them the impression she was easily rattled.
Usually, that was pretty far from the truth. But it seemed that when it came to Crash and Connor, all she knew about herself went out the window. Seeing them run out into the darkness had affected her in a way that had caught her off guard.
It’s not like they can’t handle themselves, she reminded herself.
But in that moment, she hadn’t been rational. There were still questions trundling around in her head about what it was that actually went down. Two shifters had come sniffing about, and gotten away in a car that had been waiting for them. Those were the facts.
But what had they wanted? No one seemed to know.
Lily had to consider that the incident could have had something to do with her investigation, but she couldn’t connect any dots just yet. There wasn’t enough information. All she could do was to file this whole thing away in her brain and hope it made sense as she learned more.
She had already managed to take some time to chat with most of the players, to get to know them a little better, before she freaked everyone out. While they all seemed like very nice guys, the conversations she had with them were different from the ones she’d had with Crash and Connor.
For whatever reason, there was a candor between her and the twins, despite how short of a time they had known each other. She always seemed to reveal more than she had intended when she was talking to them, to the point it was mildly unsettling.
Having to admit her interest in the men went beyond the investigation was scary. There were still things about them she found suspicious, like the secret phone call they lied to her about. They both seemed to have things weighing on their mind.
Yet that didn’t exactly make them guilty of selling secrets. Crash had already told her about his messy break-up, which she would have never guessed was giving him trouble. Having a reputation for being an easy-going ladies’ man, she had just assumed he hopped from one woman to the next with ease.
Seems things are a little more complicated than that…
So it was entirely possible Connor was dealing with some similar issue that he didn’t want to discuss with her, and that’s why he had been skulking around her hallway, talking to whomever was on the other side of that whispered phone call.
Everyone had their own problems. She wasn’t sure why she’d thought professional athletes were somehow exempt from that. Maybe she had let her previous experiences and preconceived notions color her view?
As an investigator, it was her job to see the worst in people. It was a useful skill in her work, not the best trait to have in personal relationships.
Not that I have a personal relationship with anyone here, her thoughts quickly added.
Footsteps rushed all around the house, with doors slamming and showers coming on. It had been a long day, starting bright and early at the rink and ending with a run through the woods for the team.
She waited for the bustle to die down, trying hard not to think about which bathroom Crash and Connor would be using, and what they looked like naked, under hot streams of water, with steam rising around their toned, muscular bodies…
Shaking her head, she changed from her pantsuit to a more casual outfit of jeans and a t-shirt, something she would actually wear as Lily Decker. She had noticed the guys felt more comfortable around her when she was off the clock, so to say.
The strict style of assistant Lily Douglas made them feel like they were still in training mode, and that was counterintuitive to her attempts at getting to know them as people, rather than just players.
After a while, the sound of music coming from downstairs made her stop and perk up her ears. Voices and laughter seeped up through the floors, letting her know the team was ready to blow off some steam.
Tying her hair up into a loose pony, she bounded down the steps, actually excited to hang out with the guys, despite lingering concerns about lurking shifters. To say that the Predators were the most fun group she had ever had to investigate would be an understatement.
They seemed to genuinely get along so well that it made the thought of one of them betraying the others even more distasteful. Being that good at deception was never a good character trait.
Says the little spy lying to all of them.
The speakers were bumping with old school R&B, with most of the guys set up around a table, playing cards, when she stepped into the living room. She got a couple of waves and a “Hey,” from here and there when she showed up, not to mention very inviting smiles from Crash and Connor.
Even Ben was in a good mood, giving her a friendly nod from the kitchen, where he was mixing himself a drink. Only Wyatt was missing, nowhere to be seen. Not wanting to get stuck at a table with Connor and Crash, she quickly sat down on the couch next to Graham, who looked to be scrolling through a playlist on his phone, picking out the next song.
With her thoughts stuck on the twins, in different states of undress, being as far away from them as she could while still engaging with a team member seemed to be the perfect solution. Graham looked up and smiled at her when she plopped down next to him on the couch.
“Hey, Lily. I hope t
he music didn’t bother you,” he said.
“Not at all. I love this song,” she replied, nodding along to the familiar beat of an Alicia Keys song. “Wouldn’t have thought it to be something you guys played.”
“You’d be surprised,” he said in a conspiratorial tone.
“Now I’m intrigued,” Lily laughed. “And imagining the whole team singing along to Britney Spears.”
“You’re not far off.”
“No. Really?” she asked.
“I’ve already said too much,” was all he said, gesturing zipping his mouth shut.
“You really are a tight-knit group, aren’t you?” she carefully prodded, trying to sway the conversation the way she wanted it to go.
“When you’re forced to spend as much time together as we are…” he grinned.
“Were you on the team from the start?”
Graham shook his head.
“No, I was recruited later on. I think Sal was the first one they got, and then Crash and Connor. I think it’s actually Wyatt that’s been with the Predators the longest. He was the coach before they brought in Ben.”
“From coach to assistant coach. That has to sting a little,” Lily remarked.
Graham frowned slightly, seeming to consider it for a moment.
“It wasn’t like that. From what I heard, it was always meant to be a temporary gig for Wyatt, until they got someone more experienced to take his place. Wyatt’s never been much of an ambitious guy anyway.”
Loud groans from the table drew her attention to the card game, where Eddy was holding his head in his hands while everyone else took turns high-fiving Aiden.
“I’m up next,” Graham said, getting up and walking over to clap Eddy on the shoulder.
Lily didn’t even have time to respond or move before she was suddenly surrounded by Connor and Crash, sitting down on either side of her. Not wanting to let on how much their presence affected her, she leaned back into the couch, trying to look as relaxed and carefree as possible.
“Got kicked out of the game?” she asked, meeting two pairs of green eyes, one after the other.
“Got bored,” Crash shrugged.
“Thought the couch looked more interesting,” Connor added.
“Well, if you wanted to hang out with Graham, you missed your shot,” Lily replied carefully, trying to keep the beat of her heart as steady as she could.
She was failing miserably, of course.
“That’s okay. Now we have you all to ourselves,” Crash said, the heated undercurrent of his tone making her insides clench.
“Tell me something, Lily,” Connor murmured, her name sounding like a tease in his mouth. “Is this the best assignment you’ve ever had, or what?” he grinned.
“I wouldn’t even call hanging around us,” Crash added, gesturing to himself and his brother, “work. It’s more of a prize, really.”
They’re certainly in a better mood, Lily thought, brows rising.
Lily held back the smile hovering over her lips. The boys definitely weren’t coy, but then again, she wasn’t either. The straightforward approach was appreciated, even if it was a bit aggressive.
And they’re both hitting on me at the same time? Bold, if slightly confusing.
But that didn’t mean she was going to just feed into their egos.
“Oh, I don’t know. I’d say it’s more like I’m getting paid to tolerate you, and Shifter Grove doesn’t have any hotels, so I’m stuck here,” she replied cheerfully.
“Now how can someone so hot be so cold,” Connor commented, clucking his tongue.
It was obviously a joke, but Lily couldn’t help but be pleased at the compliment all the same. The fact that they hadn’t gotten offended at her ribbing only spurred her on. She liked a man who could take a joke and not feel threatened.
The heat from their bodies was making her feel overly warm as she sank further into the soft couch. Or maybe it was the hungry way they were looking at her that had her hot and bothered.
What is going on here? Is this some sort of competition, to see which brother comes out on top? she wondered. I wouldn’t mind having either of them on top, the very mature, totally grown-up part of her giggled.
“Here’s something you didn’t know about her,” Crash said, pointing his chin at Lily. “Did you know she’s actually bald?” he asked his brother while sending her a devious look.
“Hey! Did I say you could start that rumor up again?” she countered, unable to hold in her laughter.
“A rumor. Alright,” Connor murmured, throwing suspicious glances at her ponytail.
“Thanks a lot, Crash,” Lily rolled her eyes. “I’m sure my ex will be glad that’s been revived again.”
“You’ve been talking about exes,” Connor commented, giving his brother a loaded look.
“Just mentioned Alison briefly,” Crash shrugged.
“Good to see you’ve confided in your brother,” she remarked.
Crash hadn’t exactly seemed to want to discuss it with her at length, so she was glad he had someone to turn to.
“He didn’t have to. Alison’s my ex, too,” Connor said.
Wait. What?
Sixteen
Crash
“You both dated and broke up with the same girl? Isn’t it like, against the bro code to date your brother’s ex?” Lily asked.
“It’s not against the code if you date her at the same time,” Connor stated matter-of-factly, despite Crash staring daggers at him and mouthing for him to shut the hell up.
Lily’s eyes widened as she processed what exactly that meant.
“You mean… You two, and this Alison girl… You were like a throuple or whatever they call it?” she asked.
Crash grinned despite himself.
“Haven’t heard that terminology before, but I guess so,” Connor replied. “It wasn’t really that serious of a relationship, though. Mostly sexual.”
“Dude,” Crash exclaimed, exasperated. “Stop talking.”
Crash had no idea what had gotten into his brother. When they had seen Lily alone on the couch, they had both all but pounced on her, and he thought they were on the same page. Get in some harmless flirting to see how Lily would respond. He definitely hadn’t expected it to devolve into a discussion of their less than conventional sex life.
“Sorry that my brother kind of dropped a bomb on you,” he said to Lily, studying her reaction closely.
She looked flustered and unsure of what to say. There was even a slight flush in her cheeks as she looked from him to Connor.
“No, it’s okay. I just wasn’t aware of your… arrangement.”
Connor was suddenly silent, looking at Lily and avoiding Crash’s glare.
Great, announce we like to share women and then let me do all the explaining.
It wasn’t that Crash was ashamed or even embarrassed, but he knew that for someone outside the shifter community, this news could be a little shocking. And Connor hadn’t exactly been subtle when informing her.
“You’ve heard about mates, right?” he rushed to clarify.
She nodded in response, looking at least a little interested in what he had to say.
“Well, it’s different for twins. We share a mate. Not that Alison was our mate,” he quickly backtracked. “But since we will be drawn to the same woman if we’re lucky enough to find her, we tend to seek that out that kind of relationship even outside the mate relationship.”
Did that make any sense to her? he wondered, sparing a glance at their surroundings to see if anyone might be overhearing their conversation. Hell, did it make any sense to me, while we’re at it?
With the music still playing and the card game in full swing, it didn’t look like anyone was paying much attention to them.
“I see,” was all she said, a moment before Eddie suddenly barged into their discussion.
Sitting down and kicking his feet up on the coffee table, the man was blissfully unaware he was interrupting something.
&
nbsp; “Hey, what are you guys up to over here?” he asked, folding his hands behind his head.
“I’m going to call it a night,” Lily said, leaping to her feet before Crash could protest.
He wasn’t exactly going to run after her, so he could only watch as she ascended the stairs. She probably needed some time to think things over anyway. The jeans she was wearing fit her like a glove, and he couldn’t help but stare as her hips swayed when she climbed the steps.
He turned to his brother as soon as she was out of sight.
“Can I talk to you?” he ground out, standing and pointing towards the door leading to the back porch.
Eddie was looking at them quizzically, but they seemed to have lost his attention when he discovered the TV remote from between the couch cushions and turned on the huge flat screen mounted on the opposite wall.
“Awesome,” Eddie muttered to himself.
Crash marched out into the cold night with Connor trailing behind.
“What the hell was that?” he demanded, as soon as the door behind them closed, enclosing them in the dusky darkness outside. “You totally freaked her out. She couldn’t get away from us fast enough.”
“She was going to find out eventually,” Connor shrugged. “Better sooner than later.”
Taking a moment to think about what that meant, Crash paced around, the wood creaking under his feet. They were lit by the light coming from the living room, casting a slight glow on both of them.
“So you’re saying you want to pursue this? You told her to see her reaction, to see if we have a shot with her?”
It only hit him now how tense Connor looked, and had looked when the told Lily about Alison. Was this Connor’s way of putting himself out there? Did he tell Lily to spare all of their feelings in the long run?
“I’m saying it’s obvious we can’t not pursue this. I don’t know about you, but my bear goes crazy every time I see her. Everything else falls away when she’s near.
“I mean, look at us tonight. We should be figuring out how to get Alison the money she demanded, or trying to find out why strange bears are staking out our house, but instead we’re hitting on Lily like there’s no tomorrow. That’s insane,” Connor sighed, running his hand over his hair and leaving it to rest at the back of his neck.
