“You only knocked Dugger out?”
“Yeah,” Porter scoffed. “It’s more than he deserved. Rumor has it, Maggie’s not the only innocent girl he’s accosted.”
Bennett wore the bad cop interrogating expression she’d seen on detective shows. The innocuous questions before they dropped the bomb. Neither she nor Porter knew what was coming.
“Can anyone else prove that?” Bennett asked.
Porter recoiled, like the question was absurd. “I didn’t show off my handiwork. Just grabbed my hammer before we left.”
“He was still alive.” Maggie’s voice hitched because it dawned on her why Bennett was asking.
“Brutus claims that when he and Cletus regained consciousness, Dugger’s head had been severed by a saw belonging to you.”
Maggie’s mouth dropped open; Porter spewed curse words. Jace and Bennett assessed their reaction.
A dude she’d never met was willing to kill his own people to get to her and Porter. It was absurd, shit that only happened on those cop shows she watched. Not in real life. Not to her.
“He also claims Seamus sent them to rescue Maggie from you. That you’d become so obsessed with overthrowing him and taking over that you’re willing to go to any lengths to make it happen.”
“Bullshit.” Porter slammed the table top with his fist. She’d only know him for a day, but knew it was an uncharacteristic outburst for him.
Kaitlyn pushed off the wall; Bennett narrowed his navy blue eyes on Porter; Jace watched her.
Maggie needed to defend him. She didn’t know Seamus, but those brutes had no intention to “help” her. “I sensed no threat from Porter when he came into my work.” At the sex shop. A little time to explain that detail would be nice, although considering their reaction to nudity, it may not be a big deal.
“He could’ve changed tactics once he sensed you were his mate.” Jace lifted a brow at Porter. It’d be next to impossible for Porter to prove it.
Porter flattened his hands on the table and leaned over, prompting Kaitlyn to inch closer in case she needed to fling him back. “I never planned on hurting Maggie. She’s the only way to get rid of Seamus and still survive. The colony loved Bane. They’d welcome any of his kin, still hope one of you will come back.” He collapsed back, working the issue over mentally. “I carry my main toolbox in the bed of my truck, but I have more in my shop. Since they’ve been sabotaging my work to drive me out of town, or set me up for a,” Porter threw his hands up for air quotes, “‘suicide’ or ‘accident.’ I have no doubt they stole one my saws. I’m a carpenter. I have at least five.”
His work had been getting messed with? Clearing Porter’s name was paramount. The thought of him getting put away into whatever jail shifters used made her want to tear into flesh. “And Porter was with me when I called Mom and now she’s missing. He certainly isn’t responsible. We’ve been together the whole time.”
Jace lifted his gaze to Porter. “Unless he had an accomplice.”
Maggie worked her mouth, but she couldn’t think of anything to say. She had sensed Dugger alive, but if someone came behind them, he was easy pickings. She faced Porter. “Do you know where Ma lives?”
His dark eyes pinned her, wary that she’d turn against him. “Yes.”
Still, he didn’t smell like he was a lying, murderous bastard and she said so.
“You’re right, Maggie,” Jace said, “but we have to take Brutus’ claims seriously.”
Bennett nodded. “And it’ll give us access to the colony. Jace, Kaitlyn, you two stay here. I don’t need family drama while we’re investigating this. Mercury took the other two to a holding cell and he’ll remain here in case they cause problems. I’ll bring Chayton.”
A faint snort of derision from Kaitlyn turned all of their heads. She immediately appeared sweet and innocent, running her hand down the thick red braid swung over her shoulder.
“Who’s Chayton?” Maggie asked, attuned to the change in Kaitlyn’s demeanor. This Chayton set the red-head’s emotions in a speeding car on a winding course.
“He’s a seasoned Guardian, but unfamiliar with the area. This’ll be a good experience.” Bennett shot a hard look toward Kaitlyn, who bobbed her head in compliance.
Were they speaking telepathically? She’d have to ask Porter in private. No reason to highlight how unshifter-like she was—again. Her pride still smarted from earlier.
Maggie asked the next question that came to mind. “What are you going to do with us?”
***
Porter stared at the barred cell with indignation. They wanted to lock him up, away from Maggie, and expected him to just wait.
The tall female, Kaitlyn, had taken Maggie so she could clean up while Kaitlyn scrounged up some clothing for her. Porter hadn’t liked the separation, but the droop in Maggie’s shoulders prevented him from speaking up. Her worry weighing on her, her reunion with Jace not exactly a happy event, it tore at Porter. He was her male, driven to fix everything for her.
He confronted the surly shifter next to him holding the keys to his cell. “I can help you look for Armana.”
“Those weren’t Bennett’s orders.” Jace’s tone was a little too smug.
Big brother didn’t approve of Porter for Maggie. Big brother could suck it.
“Go tell Maggie that you aren’t using every resource to find her mother.”
Jace stood inches away, his stance domineering. “She’s my mother, too.”
“And she’s mine now, also.” Twirl on that, too, Guardian.
Reproach gleamed in Jace’s ice eyes. “Has Maggie accepted you? Has she agreed to the mating ceremony?”
Did she even know about the ceremony?
Fuck, it seemed like for every step ahead Porter took, he was pushed two steps back.
Maggie was his! It was meant to be. He went in search for her to save Lobo Springs, and viola, she was his mate, the cosmic answer to his dilemma. Fate wouldn’t have given him Maggie as a mate if she wasn’t destined to return with him.
“I don’t trust you, Denlan.” Jace held open the barred door to the cell. “I don’t think you have Maggie’s best interest in mind.”
Porter stepped inside because fighting the issue would make it worse for him. He didn’t forget he was being investigated for murder. “I don’t really care what you think. Only Maggie’s opinion matters.”
“She seems pretty ambiguous toward you.” Jace shut the door and stood back.
Porter set his hands on his hips. He wanted to be fucking pissed about Jace’s statement, but he was right. Only Porter didn’t think it was him per se. She’d even defended him—sort of. “She told me she was raised human. However you grew up, once you left, Armana restricted Maggie even more. She didn’t interact with her own kind, she’d never shifted, she knows next to nothing about our world.”
With each point Porter made, Jace’s expression darkened. “You were serious? Today was her very first time shifting? Ma brought me to the woods for my first transition.” His brows drew together as if wondering why she hadn’t done the same for Maggie. “She smells human.”
“I thought I had the wrong girl when I first scented her. If she didn’t look like you,” did he just admit the female he lusted over resembled the asshole standing in front of him? “and set off my mating instinct, I’d have kept searching.”
He thought of mentioning Maggie’s hobby of hunting perverts, but it wasn’t really his can of beans to spill. If it was imperative for Maggie’s safety, he’d share it with Jace. It wasn’t and his morbid sense of humor wanted to see how the info got sprung on her asshole brother.
“You should’ve stayed away from her all together,” Jace said.
“Then she would’ve been taken by Seamus’ men.”
Jace worked his jaw. “That remains to be seen.”
“I didn’t kill Dugger, just like my work in Lobo Springs wasn’t faulty. I’m being set up.” Seamus’ skill at making himself appear innocent was obvious to Po
rter. Would it be just as obvious to the Guardians?
“Sit tight, Denlan.” Jace walked away.
Porter fisted his hands, ground his teeth, dragged in ten ragged breaths. If he punched the wall, banged on the door, or displayed his temper, it’d give Seamus more power over how others deemed his character.
Maggie was here. She was safe. Seamus was under investigation just as much as Porter was. He could rest. For now.
***
Maggie lifted the shirts Kaitlyn had flung her direction to land on top of the pile of jeans. The Guardian even had a brand new set of Asics that were only a size larger than she wore. All the clothing still had tags on them.
“Do you like to shop?” Maggie directed her question to the female’s ass sticking out of the closet.
Kaitlyn pulled her head out, grinning wolfishly. “A girl can never be too prepared.” She sat back on her heels and blew a strand of hair that had slipped out of her braid away from her eyes. “I’m kinda the personal shopper for everyone here. I pick up items for myself, but,” she indicated her black cargo pants, long-sleeved black shirt, and heavy black boots, “I don’t get out of these nearly as much as I’d like to.”
Maggie peered around the cabin for the twentieth time. It was just so cozy. About the size of her apartment, the cabin was tucked deep into the trees. Unlike her apartment, there was a pleasant zone of privacy from others.
The cabin was decked out in eclectic décor and a lot of it. Vintage side tables held modern lamps. Her bedding was a cozy eggplant that blended with the deep floral prints on the walls. None of the artwork matched but still worked together. Kaitlyn’s talent for choosing items that complemented each other was apparent throughout the entire, cluttered cabin.
It was so…unwolflike. Maggie didn’t know what she’d expected. Their own furnishings had been sparse, but that was due to lack of funds, not her mother’s preference. She never considered how her mom would’ve decorated their place had it been an option. Did shifters prefer pictures of wild animals and nature?
Kaitlyn stood to dig for bras in her dresser. “I know I’m a bit messy and my taste is all over the place.”
The shifter sounded self-conscious and Maggie felt bad. “No, it’s not that at all. I don’t know many shifters—or any—and I was just wondering how differently they live from humans.” There, that didn’t sound so horribly humiliating.
A sports bra flew through the air to land on Maggie’s pile.
“It’s more versatile and quicker to get off when you shift,” Kaitlyn explained about the bra choice. She plopped on her bed, resting on her elbow. “Ya know, I didn’t even know I was a shifter until a few years ago.”
Maggie’s head jerked up from her stash. “How is that possible?” She’d at least known she was different and why.
“No one has a clue. I got into trouble one night and bam—four legs. It’s when I first met your brother. He’d just started dating my best friend.” A wicked smile appeared on her face. “Although I don’t think ‘dating’ is what they were doing.” She chuckled.
Maggie would love to meet her. Jace found someone, was happy, and had good company like Kaitlyn around him.
“At least they’d understand if you didn’t know anything. Porter’s reaction every time he learns of another shifter fact I don’t know has made me feel like I’ve committed a crime.”
“He’s a stubborn one, I can tell.” Kaitlyn sat up and put her elbows on her knees. Maggie noticed her tactical belt and all the weapons strapped to her. Kaitlyn’s fluid movements blended her gear into her. She wore it well. “Does his reaction bother you because he’s some dude who’s judging you, or because you have the hots for him and don’t want to feel smaller around his big shifter manliness.”
Maggie threw the shirt she wasn’t going to wear in Kaitlyn’s face. Laughing, Kaitlyn snatched it out of the air and folded it neatly. Maggie became aware that she went from zero to friendship with the female. No longer strangers, she was so relieved to have someone to confide in who wasn’t vested in her future, just her.
“He’s hot, and he claims he’s my mate.”
Kaitlyn’s grin died. “Don’t you feel it?”
Do I want to strip down and have dirty, hard sex with him for days on end? Check. Does it seem like the only air worth breathing is infused with his scent? Sigh. Yes. Is it excruciating being away from him and not knowing if he’s okay or if he and Jace have ripped each other apart? Absolutely.
“How I do I know it’s not infatuation?” Because of the way his tongue took her to heights of ecstasy she hadn’t known existed.
“You just do, I guess.” Kaitlyn shrugged. “I was raised human, too, so maybe I don’t know what it feels like either.” Her expression seemed…troubled, but it was replaced by reassurance. “Many of the other guys here are mated and they all just knew.”
Maggie’s concerns about Porter rose to the surface discussing him. “Is Bennett in charge?” Will he fairly investigate Porter?
As if Kaitlyn read her mind, she answered, “He’s a good guy, don’t worry. He’s been at this for a while. Longer than Seamus. But no, he’s not the boss. Commander Fitzsimmons is, but he’s out in the field.” Kaitlyn’s signature grin appeared. “You’ll get a kick out of their mates, though.”
“What about Chayton?”
Kaitlyn’s grin faded and her disquiet returned.
“He’s…uh…he’ll be fair.” She rose and went to the closet to throw her shirt back in. Maggie heard a faint, “While he’s being a giant asshole.”
If Chayton wasn’t high on Kaitlyn’s likeable list, Maggie didn’t know if she wanted the guy responsible for Porter’s fate.
“Why don’t you like him?”
“Whaaat? Is it obvious?” Kaitlyn’s falsetto laced with sarcasm. She kicked the clothes spilling out back enough so she could shut her closet door. “Take how inadequate you feel around Porter, multiply by a hundred, and add in that I’m not jumping into bed with him.”
“Because of how you were raised? Is that why he’s a dick?”
“It’s my best guess.”
They both cocked their head to listen to a dull thudding on the porch.
“I recognize Jace’s shitkickers. Get changed while I let him in.”
Maggie nodded numbly. She shed Bennett’s shirt and the oversized sweats and pulled on Kaitlyn’s loaners. She felt human again, which might be a sin in this place.
Facing the door to the bedroom, she squared her shoulders and marched out.
She found Jace at the table. Kaitlyn was nowhere to be seen.
“She went to hang out with Cassie so we could talk,” Jace’s tone suggested he looked forward to their talk as much as she did.
A glass of water and a sandwich sat across from him. Her stomach growled. She plopped down and dug in. It gave her hands something to do while she spoke. “I know I’m sorry doesn’t cover it Jace. I wish I could go back, visit you in prison, or at least write a damn letter.” She ripped into the stack of meat wedged between two thin slices of bread, and talked around her mouthful. “I mean, I felt so guilty, so dirty, for just cutting you off after you gave everything up for me. I should’ve just confronted Ma, told her no way I was cutting you out of my life. Told her what she did was wrong. But instead I took the easy way out and caved to everything she wanted. It’s been that way my whole life, always what she—”
“Maggie.”
She quit talking, stopped chewing altogether, and stared at her brother. His mouth twisted with a bemused smile.
“I can’t say I’m okay with it,” he began, speaking slowly, considering his words, “but…I understand. You were just a kid.”
Maggie dropped her gaze to the empty plate. “I’ve been an adult for over a decade.”
“You still had to rely on her for resources. Did you go to college?”
She nodded. “She pushed me toward a career where I’d only be around humans, and not a lot of them. I’m a preschool teacher at a daycare,�
�� she said wryly.
“Sounds Ma’s speed.”
“There’s things she doesn’t know, though.” Jace raised a brow. She took a deep breath, and spilled her secrets. “That night I was attacked, I grew up a lot. I was angry about everything. Enraged and I had no outlet. Then one night when I was a senior in college, I was walking home and I saw a guy stalking a girl. I beat the shit out of him and left him lying in the weeds.” Both of Jace’s brows rose. “I started hunting them. It’s my…hobby.”
“Your hobby is tracking down human perverts to beat up?”
She nodded.
“You’ve never been caught?”
“No. I had a couple of close calls, but I used my shifter resources.” The ones she knew about, anyway.
“Cool.”
“I worked at novelty sex shop thinking I could find them easier.” He dipped his head in agreement. “Enough pervs came in to keep me busy.”
“I’ll bet.”
His easy acceptance calmed her, but fueled her guilt.
“I was strong enough to do that, but not to track you down.”
“It’s done,” he said. “Besides, with Sigma around, I would’ve feared you’d be a target just associating with me.”
“Sigma?”
He glanced at her in surprise, then realization. “Evil organization that hunted shifters and vampires for nefarious reasons. Cassie and I were their targets once. The Guardians helped save us.” He lifted his hands as if to say, And here I am.
“Are they still around?” She was both scared they still existed, and thrilled to think there was a whole organization of villains she could target.
Whoa. She’d just fought some humans. Why was she thinking an upgrade in prey was warranted?
“Calm down, tiger,” he chuckled. “They were destroyed over a year ago. We have a new government.”
“Wait! I know this one. The TriSpecies Synod.”
“They’re slowly transitioning our people to a more democratic society, to keep occurrences like Lobo Springs from happening, keep our kind from drawing attention.”
“Since they’re transitioning, shifters like Seamus don’t have to follow their suggestions?”
Birthright (Pale Moonlight Book 1) Page 9
