by Brenda Trim
“Miss Kimbro. We hate to bother you, especially on a holiday, but we really need to ask you some questions,” one of the officers said.
The hair on the back of Cassie’s neck prickled and she gulped. Why were the police involved? What the fuck was going on?
“It’s Mrs. Scott now,” Liv immediately corrected.
Oh, snap, Cassie thought as she looked to Bart’s shocked face. With two words, Liv drove that dagger deeper into the man’s broken heart. That wasn’t going to repair their fractured friendship, Cassie thought.
“Sorry. Mrs. Scott, would you mind coming to the station with us? It shouldn’t take long,” the other officer explained.
“What’s this about?” Lawson interjected and grabbed Liv’s hand.
Cassie wanted to know, too. Her head darted back and forth, trying to get a read on Liv and Lawson, but their poker faces weren’t giving any clues.
“Of course. It’s regarding Jim Jensen. I believe you know him?” the officer explained and turned to Liv.
Fuck. This was about Liv’s former boss. The piece of shit that held Lawson captive for three years. Ryan was briefly imprisoned, as well. The vile man kidnapped shifters and experimented on them. Cassie’s vision went red as she thought about the despicable man. He almost raped Liv, not to mention, shot Lawson, nearly killing him.
“Yes. I know Jim. He was my employer for several years,” Liv replied and looked at Lawson then Cassie.
“Right. Well, Jim’s been missing for quite some time, and we have reason to believe foul play was involved. You might have information that could help with our investigation,” the first officer inquired.
Cassie crossed her arms over her chest. Damn straight foul play was involved, but she’d take that information to the grave. Jim Jensen got what he deserved when Liv stabbed, and killed, him in self-defense. Not that these officers would understand that. Jim Jensen was a highly-respected man in Chattanooga. At least, to those who didn’t know the truth about him. No, it was better to keep details about Jim’s disappearance under lock and key.
Cassie noticed Lawson glaring at Bart, his anger rolling off in waves. It was obvious there was no love lost between the two, and Cassie knew the officers must feel their animosity, as well.
Bart shrugged then muttered, “I told you once I went public, you might not like the outcome,” he spat as he glowered at Lawson.
Cassie recalled Bart’s press conference, divulging the news about kidnapped shifters being tortured and held against their will. She was grateful he decided to take a stand against the horrific abuse, but now he looked like the cat that swallowed the canary.
Satisfaction spread across Bart’s face as he leered Lawson’s way. He knew Liv and Lawson were involved in Jim’s disappearance. Hell, Cassie was there, too. She guessed that made her an accomplice, but she didn’t care. By the smug look on Bart’s face, he obviously assumed Lawson was responsible.
Cassie couldn’t believe Bart was so vindictive when he knew damn-well Jim Jensen was evil. He witnessed Jim’s attack against Liv. How could he do this to a woman he claimed to love? What an asshole.
More importantly, Bart’s presumption was dead wrong. Lawson wasn’t responsible for Jim’s death. Liv was. Cassie shook her head and whispered, “Happy fucking New Year.”
Chapter 2
Cassie peered into the bathroom mirror, inspecting her neck. Luckily, the bleeding had stopped. Her fingers ran across the puncture marks, and a tear welled in the corner of her eye. How could Ryan do this to her?
She knew it was the Ravin that attacked, but it still hurt. Cassie recalled Liv telling her about the time Lawson came close to turning Ravin while she was in the room with him. Lawson fought the urges and shifted, and his wolf protected Liv. Why didn’t Ryan care enough about her to do the same? Cassie shook off the notion. She was an idiot to think their relationship compared to the love shared between Liv and Lawson. Cassie and Ryan were fuck buddies, while Liv and Lawson shared a deep and profound connection.
She grabbed a hair tie and pulled her long brown hair into a ponytail then turned on the faucet. Splashing cold water across her face, Cassie took several deep breaths and calmed her overwrought nerves. She should be recovering from a New Year’s Eve all-nighter with Ryan, not second-guessing her every thought and action. She hoped this wasn’t the prelude of her upcoming year because she couldn’t handle anything worse than the first twelve hours. Cassie grabbed a hand towel and dried her face then exited the bathroom.
She stared at her suitcase sitting next to the bed. Should she even unpack? Part of her said no, but a much bigger part told her to fight for Ryan. For them. It was worth it if she could get Ryan back. There was a reason she fell for him hard and fast, and it wasn’t a one-way street. Somewhere deep down, Ryan cared for her as much as she did him.
Cassie glanced at the bedside table, wondering what was taking Liv and Lawson so long. They’d been at the police station a few hours, and she hadn’t heard a word from them. No way was Liv discussing the details of Jim Jensen’s so-called disappearance, so what was the holdup? Did they have evidence against Liv, she wondered. God, she hoped not. Her friend didn’t deserve to go to jail for defending herself.
It seemed like a lifetime since Liv killed Jim Jensen in a parking lot of Clarksville, Tennessee. Truthfully, Liv didn’t have a choice. The asshole fired three bullets into Lawson’s chest. Cassie was certain Lawson was dead when blood puddled beneath his body. He might be a shifter with exceptional healing abilities, but he wasn’t immortal.
When Jim turned his rage on Liv and began choking her, Liv managed to stab him with a metal pendant on her necklace. Cassie recalled the relief she felt when she walked over and stared into Jim’s lifeless eyes. She didn’t feel one ounce of remorse because Jim Jensen was a horrible human being. Afterward, she and Liv put Jim’s body into the trunk of his car and followed Ryan back to Safe Haven, unsure if Lawson would survive the ninety-minute drive to the hotel.
Cassie remembered watching Ryan as he operated on Lawson. She’d never seen such an assortment of medical equipment and tools, other than at a hospital. Ryan and his sister reminded Cassie of trained doctors with their efficiency and technique. Cassie was honestly awed by Ryan’s knowledge and expertise. He removed bullets as if he’d performed the operation a thousand times before. She asked him later about it, and Ryan told her he’d removed bullets and other shrapnel from shifters many times before, but never on a family member.
She also remembered Ryan building a bonfire and tossing Jim’s body into the flames before driving the man’s car into the lake on their property. Just like that, Jim Jensen was nothing but an awful memory.
Until now.
Because of Bart, they could all face the consequences of Jim’s death when in reality Bart should be celebrating the demise of the evil man.
Looking back on the incident, Cassie believed that was the day she fell in love with Ryan. He took such care in saving his brother’s life then destroyed any evidence that linked Liv to the murder. He was loyal to his core, and she related to that. Loyalty was everything to her.
Cassie exhaled and lifted the small piece of luggage, setting it on the bed. She unzipped the closure and lifted the flap. The garment laying on top caught her eye and Cassie couldn’t help but laugh.
It was a black t-shirt of Ryan’s which had a picture of Yoda on the front. The caption read A Lightsaber In My Pocket, It is Not.
She thought back to the first time she saw Ryan wearing it. He picked her up from work one afternoon, wearing the t-shirt. They drove to her house for a romantic dinner at home. Thirty minutes later, he whispered the saying in her ear as he stood behind her while she cooked. She was beyond weak when it came to the sexy wolf shifter.
They stripped right there in her kitchen then fucked for hours. Inevitably, dinner was a burnt mess, but it was oh-so worth it. It made the top-three on Cassie’s list of greatest sexual soirees.
She recalled how famished they were
afterward, and in lieu of the dinner catastrophe, ordered pizza. The delivery guy laughed at the t-shirt when Cassie answered the door, spouting he needed to order one for himself. The top had been in her possession ever since.
She picked up the t-shirt and held it to her face, inhaling. Ryan’s masculine scent washed over her, and Cassie had to fight the choking emotion. Damn, she missed him. He had this way about him and could make her laugh no matter the circumstance.
Why was she always falling for the wrong guy? Ryan made her quiver from an explosive orgasm yet left her wanting more. He had good looks, body for days, and the nonchalant attitude that left women pining. Fuck. She swore she’d never become one of those pathetic women, fawning all over some hot guy. But that’s precisely what she was when it came to Ryan Scott.
She blamed genetics for her poor choices in men. Her mom had terrible taste in men, as well. Cassie’s father repeatedly abused her mother until she couldn’t take it anymore. Cassie would never forget the fateful night they left.
She was fast asleep when hands latched onto her shoulders, shaking Cassie awake. Her mom whispered in her ear, telling Cassie to grab her favorite things because they were leaving California for good. She was only seven years old when it happened. Half-asleep, Cassie gathered her stuffed Mickey Mouse, Disney blanket, and a pillow. They had one suitcase between the two of them and drove away like thieves in the night. She never went back to visit, and her father never tried to find them.
Then, eleven months to the day, her mom was killed in a tragic car accident. That was by far the worst day of Cassie’s life. Not just because the two of them were close, but because that was the day Cassie ended up a ward of the state. She bounced from foster home to foster home, never fitting in with any family. She counted down the days until she could get her own place and take care of herself.
Those two events transformed her in ways she never imagined, and, subsequently, Cassie was in therapy for most of her childhood and teenage years. Her doctor, Camille Snow (who Cassie eventually dubbed Camel Toe), insisted Cassie had the classic Daddy Syndrome. Said she was seeking the father-figure she never had. Woman was a total moron. On her eighteenth birthday, Cassie told her foster parents and Dr. Snow to fuck off then hopped in her car and drove away, never looking back.
Daddy issues, her ass. The last thing Cassie wanted was a man that remotely reminded her of her loser father. She never allowed any man to lift a hand to her, unless it was to smack her ass during sex.
Of course, thinking about sex brought her mind back to Ryan. He was nothing like her sorry father. The truth was, she and Ryan had spent several glorious months together. No hassles, no complications. It just felt right to be with him, and she was helpless as she fell head over heels for him. Unfortunately, their tryst came to an abrupt end when he turned Ravin, and now she may never get back what she and Ryan shared.
Sighing, Cassie tossed the t-shirt back into the suitcase. She needed to let go of the negativity and focus on the positive. Ryan was safe and under Liv’s supervision. He was receiving the blood infusions that could reverse the awful side effects of turning Ravin. She couldn’t give up hope. There was still a chance for them.
A honking horn snagged Cassie’s attention, and she walked over to the window. Peering from the third-floor of Safe Haven, Cassie spotted several cars making their way toward the back of the hotel. Liv’s Jeep led the caravan, and Cassie’s heart raced in her chest. What the hell was going on now?
She spun around and snatched her coat from the bed and rushed out of Ryan’s room. Cassie bypassed the slower-than-a-sloth elevator and headed for the stairwell. Taking the steps as fast as her stumpy legs provided, she was dashing through the massive kitchen moments later.
“What’s your hurry?” Ashley, the cook at Safe Haven, asked as Cassie bolted past her.
“Ain’t got time to explain,” Cassie yelled over her shoulder as she ran out the back door.
Frigid air stole Cassie’s breath when she stepped outside. White puffs left her mouth as she briskly walked toward Liv and Lawson. She cupped her hands over her mouth and blew warm air against her palms. January was her least favorite month. The only thing it was good for was snuggling under the covers, and she didn’t have her snuggle partner.
Movement in the corner of her eye had her head snapping to the side. Several officers guided dogs from their vehicles, and Cassie noticed they were K-9 units.
“What’s going on?” Cassie blurted when she reached Liv’s side. “Do these assholes have a search warrant?” she inquired and crossed arms over her chest. “They can’t just come here and invade without due cause,” she added.
“They can when Bart owns the property,” Lawson barked. Cassie could tell he wasn’t any happier with the situation than she was. Cassie glanced back to the group of police cars and spotted Bart exiting from one of the vehicles.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” she spat and glared at the male.
“It’s fine, Cass. There’s nothing for them to find, so we were happy to cooperate with their investigation,” Liv added, capturing Cassie’s attention. There was no need for further explanation as her friend pinned her with a death stare. No way Cassie was giving them one ounce of information.
Cassie watched as the policemen walked the perimeter of the hotel, allowing the dogs ample space to sniff the area. She prayed they couldn’t detect burned remains. The spot where Ryan burned Jim’s body wasn’t far from where they stood.
“I suppose,” Cassie offered. “Still, pretty shitty of him,” she snapped as Bart headed in the opposite direction, clearly avoiding her, Liv, and Lawson.
Cassie made a beeline for the man. She refused to let the coward slink away like a snake in the grass. She had a few choice words for the reptile.
“Hey!” she shouted, and Bart turned around, meeting her gaze. “What the fuck?”
“Don’t start, Cassie. This doesn’t concern you,” he answered and resumed his trek. Cassie picked up her pace and caught up to him.
“Actually, anything that involves Liv concerns me. You know why? Because she’s my friend. Remember what that’s like, jackass? She used to be your friend, too. What happened to you?” she snapped and grabbed his arm.
Bart suddenly stopped and thrust his body in front of Cassie. “I don’t need to be reminded, thank you very much. I care about her more than you’ll ever know,” he gritted through clenched teeth. “This is a legal investigation, and I need answers,” he added.
Cassie pressed her chest against his. “I don’t give a fuck what it is! Jim Jensen was a piece of shit. He almost raped Liv, and you know it. You were there. And, you saw what it did to her. That motherfucker deserved to die,” she mumbled under her breath then quickly added, “Now call off this ridiculous manhunt before someone we both love gets hurt.”
Bart’s eyes narrowed before he glanced toward Liv. “What are you saying?” he asked.
“You know exactly what I’m saying. If you don’t want S&K’s leading scientist thrown behind bars, you’ll find a way to end this investigation. I swear I’ll never forgive you if she’s arrested,” Cassie whispered and glared into blue eyes.
Bart ran a hand through his shaggy blond hair. She could tell he was contemplating her words. Moments later, he cursed and shook his head. “That woman is going to be the death of me.”
Cassie looked to the sky and uttered a silent thank you. The ordeal was far from over, but she hoped Bart realized the error of his ways. “Please let this be a shift in the force,” she whispered then chuckled. She wished Ryan was there. He would’ve appreciated her Star Wars reference.
Chapter 3
Ryan glanced down at his hands. Long hair covered the tops, and sharp claws extended from his fingertips. He clenched his fist and relished the jolt of strength as it surged through his system.
Somewhere in the depths of his mind, his wolf howled. It was more a growl, fierce and demanding, but Ryan ignored his animal. Unfortunately, his wolf couldn’t be trus
ted. It was clear his inner animal was at odds with the Ravin. His brother insisted he shift so that his wolf could take on the Ravin. No way in hell was he shifting. This newfound power was the greatest fucking feeling in the world.
Well, not entirely, he amended as he looked around his holding cell. He was caged like a rabid dog, with no way to escape. And, Lawson was responsible for his current situation. He and his fucking mate, Liv.
Why couldn’t his brother understand that he was fine, and not some raving lunatic? Turning Ravin wasn’t the worst thing in the world. The rumors were far from accurate regarding the creatures.
In fact, Ryan felt his kind were judged too harshly. All he wanted was to roam and explore, which wasn’t much different than his wolf counterpart. He craved freedom more than anything. No rules, no explanations, no worries. No one to answer to, which was the way Ryan preferred it. And, it had nothing to do with turning Ravin. It had been like that since the day he was born.
Ever since he could remember, Ryan was labeled the bad apple amongst the Scotts while Lawson was the golden boy who did no wrong. It sucked living in the shadow of his younger brother. If he had a dollar for every time he heard that Lawson was Alpha material, he’d be a millionaire twice over. The only thing they ever said about him was that he was a wild card and a player.
Unfortunately, Ryan couldn’t deny being a player. He loved females and enjoyed their company so long as they didn’t push for a commitment. He didn’t see the point in settling down with one female. Did that make him an awful person? Not in his mind, primarily since he was always up front with them. He didn’t lie or mislead females. Cassie was the longest relationship he’d ever had. The last few months had been a blast with her.
But, no matter what anyone said, he was not a wild card. He was a hard worker with a good job who would do anything for his family. So, why didn’t he ever hear words like dependable, honest, or loyal when others described him? Why was it always negative connotations?
