Chasing the White Wolf [Skinwalkers 2] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting)

by Jane Jamison

  She walked past him, then took the bag he’d thrown into the car. Taking it with her, she hopped into the passenger side. Before she closed the door, she turned back to him, knowing he was still perplexed by her change of mind.

  “Don’t expect it to happen again.” With that, she closed the door and turned her face away from his.

  She’d let him decide whether to think she’d meant her giving in or their having sex. At that moment, she wasn’t sure which one it was either.

  Chapter Six

  Livi hurried inside Dorrie’s bed and breakfast, the excitement of having gotten a photo of the white wolf overshadowing the fact that it was Dina and not Dorrie that greeted her. Determined not to let the sour girl spoil her good mood, she lifted her hand and put on her friendliest face.

  “Hi, Dina. I got it.”

  Dina’s irritated expression darkened. “Got what?”

  Her gaze slid to the men coming through the door after Livi, brightened for a second, then went back to whatever dark place her thoughts took her. “Are you guys lusting after her again?”

  Livi held back the desire to tell her that she’d slept with all three men. Yet she had no real reason to be mean to Dina, even if it would’ve felt good to rub it in.

  “They decided I needed supervision while in the woods. Not that I really did, but what’s a girl to do when three handsome men want to hang around her.”

  Okay, so maybe a little rub.

  She chastised herself. Dina irritated her, but that didn’t mean she needed to hurt her. “But that doesn’t matter.” She held the camera up for Dina to see and clicked onto the best photo she had of the white wolf. “I got lucky.”

  She coughed to cover the giggle that almost slipped out. She’d gotten lucky, all right, in more than one way. Again, she told herself to be kind.

  Dina again glanced at the men, then peered into the camera. “Looks fake to me.”

  “What?” She glanced at the photo again, unable to believe that anyone, even Dina, could think that she’d faked a photo.

  “It looks like you Photoshopped it.”

  “Come on. You aren’t serious.”

  Tony came to her rescue. “Dina, cut it out. You know damn well that it’s real.”

  Admitting was the last thing Dina would ever do if it made Livi look good. Anyone could see that. “Is that the only wolf you took a picture of?”

  “The only wolf? No, but how’d you know there was more than one wolf?”

  “Wolves run in packs.”

  It was a sound reason, but Livi knew she was lying. But why would she lie? “No. I took pictures of other wolves. Do you want to see those?”

  Dina tossed her hair away from her shoulders. “No. I’ve seen enough wolves. I don’t need to look at pictures of them. Fake or otherwise. I have real work to do.” And yet she stayed where she was, planted in the middle of the foyer, her attention locked on the men.

  “Right. Of course you do.” She wouldn’t act badly to Dina again, no matter how much she deserved it. It wouldn’t do any good and she wouldn’t let anyone spoil her happiness. “If everyone will excuse me, I’m going to take a shower.”

  The moment she’d said it, she could see the fire light in Tony’s, Nick’s, and Eric’s faces. If Dina hadn’t been standing there, shooting her dagger eyes, she might have invited them up to her room. She’d gotten cheated out of her celebratory fun time with them last night. Still, she didn’t want to cause any problems. Not knowing if Dorrie would like it, either, she decided to play it safe.

  “Liv, how about meeting us later at The Witches’ Brew? We can toast to your success.”

  “Yeah, babe, that’s a great idea.” Nick’s eager smile warmed her.

  “What about you, Eric? Will you be there?”

  His green eyes seemed to grow darker, becoming infused with specks of gold. If she wasn’t sure Dina would get bent out of shape, she would’ve asked to take his photograph. She doubted, however, that any camera could capture the sexy glint in them.

  “Sure. Why not?”

  “Yeah. Why not?” She gave them all a smile, even one to Dina, then dashed up the stairs.

  The sound of Eric’s hard tone brought her to a standstill just as she took hold of the doorknob.

  “What the hell did you think you were doing?”

  “Back off, Eric.” Dina was trying to sound tough, but Livi could hear the fear there.

  Granted Dina hadn’t been very pleasant to her, but she didn’t think the girl warranted such an attack. What was with Eric anyway?

  “He’s right. You’re pushing it. You stepped over the line, but to include Calem in your stunt was just plain fucked up. You’re using him because of his feelings for you.”

  Tony sounded as upset as Eric had. Yet why would they care if Dina treated someone named Calem badly? Unless they really did care about Dina.

  “What I did, I did for you. You know that.”

  “My brothers are right. You’ve got to get over this thing for us. I don’t want to hurt you, Dina, but we aren’t interested. Not then and certainly not now that Livi’s come to town.”

  “But why? I’ll treat you better than she ever could. Damn it. She’s not even like us. She’s hu—”

  “Stop it, Dina.” Eric’s shout echoed through the house.

  With Eric’s outburst echoing still, she almost didn’t catch what Tony said. “If you don’t stop, we’re going to have to talk to the others about this.”

  “You’d better not, or I’ll tell them what you three did.”

  Livi tiptoed back toward the top of the stairs, but stayed far enough away so they wouldn’t see her. She hoped the men weren’t involved in something shady or illegal.

  “Don’t threaten us, Dina. It won’t end well for you. I can promise you that.”

  Eric’s threat sent a shiver through Livi. Were they not the good guys she thought they were? Would they hurt Dina?

  “You’d never hurt me, Eric. None of you would.”

  “I’m not talking about physically hurting you. But you know there are consequences to your actions.”

  That, at least, was good to hear. Yet what consequences was Eric talking about? And who doled them out?

  “You know what you can do, guys? You can go fuck yourselves!”

  The sound of Dina pounding upstairs sent Livi racing for her room. She’d just closed the door behind her when Dina made it to the landing.

  Leaning against the door, she listened, not wanting to make any noise and draw Dina’s attention. Dina’s footsteps came down the hallway, then stopped as she paused outside Livi’s door. Livi held her breath, not daring to even breathe, until Dina finally moved on.

  Livi let out her breath in one big gust. What the hell was going on between those four? It was obvious that Dina was in love with the Parker brothers and she could easily understand that. But something more was up. Did she dare stay around and find out? And if she dared to do that, would the truth break her heart?

  * * * *

  “Hey, sweetie, how’re you doing?”

  The lady was a fast one, that was sure. Livi hadn’t taken two steps inside The Witches’ Brew before Mitsy had her arm locked in hers and was tugging her toward a booth.

  “I’m good. How about yourself?”

  “I’m truckin’ along. No complaints here.” The voluptuous older woman, her face and the exposed shoulders of her peasant blouse covered with glitter, took the seat across from Livi.

  “That’s good.” Livi couldn’t help but glance at the front door. “I don’t suppose you’ve seen any of the Parker brothers, have you?”

  “Nope. But now that you’re here, I’m sure they’ll be along soon. Until then, would you like a bite to eat or a cold drink? How about a beer? I’ll pour one into a chilled mug for you.”

  Livi wasn’t much of a beer drinker, but since Mitsy seemed to want her to have one, she accepted. “Sure. Why not?”

  “Hey, Rollo, send us over a couple of cold ones,” sh
outed Mitsy at the burly bartender. He nodded and finished up the beer he’d already started pouring.

  “I hear you got what you came for.”

  Livi couldn’t help but smile. “Damn, but word gets around fast here. And yeah, I did. Although I’d like a few more photos, if I can get them.”

  A waitress that had to weigh less than Livi’s left arm slid a chilled mug of beer in front of each of them. “Here you go.”

  “Thanks, sweetie.” Mitsy took a long sip then let out a satisfied sigh. “My God, is there anything better than a cold brew? Oh, wait. I know. Three hot men would be a lot better. Of course, if you can get the men and the beer, then you’ve really got it made.”

  Had Mitsy heard about that, too? But how? Unless the men had told her, but why would they?

  “Give me your hand.” Mitsy thrust her arm across the table with her palm turned to the ceiling.

  “I’m sorry?”

  “Go on. Give me your hand and I’ll tell your fortune.”

  “Oh.” It made sense. The woman played at being a witch who spread glitter and called it fairy dust, so why shouldn’t she think she could tell a person’s fortune? Nonetheless, she hesitated.

  “Don’t be afraid, sweetie. I’m not going to bite.” Mitsy laughed, her hazel eyes sparkling.

  Not having a handy excuse or wanting the woman to think she was afraid, Livi placed her hand in Mitsy’s. “Okay. Sure. Go ahead. But I’ve should tell you that I’m not a believer.”

  “You don’t have to be. The truth is the truth whether you believe it or not.”

  Mitsy gripped her hand and Livi almost pulled her hand away. It was silly and most likely her imagination, but for a brief second, she thought she’d felt a sizzle, like that of a static electricity, sting her hand.

  Mitsy closed her eyes and knitted her brow. “Hmmm. I see.”

  She spoke again, words Livi couldn’t understand interspersed with more “mmms” and “ahhs.” Once more she wanted to take her hand away, but she’d already gone far enough that she felt like she had to let Mitsy finish whatever the hell she was doing. She didn’t want to insult the woman.

  Mitsy’s hazel eyes popped open. “Well, as if I couldn’t see that coming.”

  “See what coming?” As much as she didn’t believe in such things, she wanted, needed, to hear.

  “You, my sweet girl, are going to fall in love.”

  Well, of course she was. Wasn’t that the standard thing fortune tellers told women? “Let me guess. I’m going to fall in love with a tall, dark stranger.”

  “Yes and no.” She turned her hand loose. “You’re not going to fall in love with just one man, but with three.”

  Livi sat back, too surprised to do much else. “Three?”

  “That’s right. Thing is, I’m willing to bet that you already have.”

  The whole thing was ridiculous. But then, if it was, why were her hands sweating? Was Mitsy talking about the Parker brothers?

  Of course. She’s heard that they went with me and now she’s using that information for her fortune.

  “But—” Mitsy’s frown grew.

  Damn it. Did there always have to be but? “But what?”

  “Someone will try and get in your way.”

  Her first thought was of Dina.

  “And that’s not all.”

  Oh, crap.

  “You’ll need to be careful. One of them will change you.”

  “Change me? What does that mean? Change me how?” How could anyone change her? And change what part of her? Her looks? Her personality? Or was it more in the way of her goals in life, her job and where she lived?

  Mitsy shrugged and downed her beer like a trucker on Saturday night. “You’ll see, sweetie.”

  She knew she shouldn’t, but the question slid out of her mouth anyway. “Mitsy, did any of the Parker brothers ever have a thing with Dina?”

  “A thing?” The older woman’s eyes narrowed. “No, sweetie. Dina’s the one with the hots for them. She’s had her sights set on them for as long as I can remember.”

  “And they’ve never…you know?”

  Mitsy’s laughter drew the attention of several customers. “Lord, no. They have more sense than to mess with her. Either as a one-time fling or more.” She took Livi’s hand. “You’ve nothing to fear about your men wanting Dina.”

  She slid out of the booth. “I think you’ve got a visitor, sweetie. Once those men of yours show up, tell them I’ll send over a cold pitcher of beer with some mugs.”

  Livi reached for Mitsy, questions spreading like wildfire in her mind, but was too late to stop her. All the questions that had suddenly popped up wouldn’t get answered. At least not tonight.

  She’d just taken a drink when the man touched her on the shoulder, startling her. Her beer sloshed over the edge of the mug before her hand settled down well enough to put the mug safely on the table. “Oh, hell.”

  He was gorgeous, tall, dark, and handsome enough for any fortune teller’s prediction. Black, wavy hair made a frame for the piercing blue eyes. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.”

  “You surprised me, is all. No problem.” Her gaze skirted back to the door. Where were they?

  “I’m Zack Blackwood.”

  The name fit him. His cut jawline and high cheekbones spoke of Native American ancestry. Before coming to Lost Hills and meeting Eric, Nick, and Tony, he was the type of man she’d have gone for. Now she wasn’t interested. He could’ve been fat and balding for all she cared. “Hi. I’m Livi Brackin.”

  “Yeah, I know. The Parkers sent me.”

  “Is anything wrong?”

  “Not really. They had some ranch work that needed their attention so they asked me to show up and let you know.”

  Disappointment swamped her. But she understood. Work came first. But it still hurt. “Oh, that’s too bad. But I appreciate you coming to tell me. Why didn’t they just call?”

  “Cell phone reception can be spotty at times up here. They enlisted my help when I happened to be, um, running by.”

  “So I shouldn’t wait for them?” A part of her wondered if they were dumping her now that they’d gotten between her legs.

  No. I’m not going to go there. But an emergency? Really?

  She gritted her teeth, determined to give them the benefit of the doubt. She’d trusted them with her body, even her life, and she wouldn’t doubt them now.

  “I wouldn’t. There’s no telling when they’ll finish up.” He tipped his head. “Anyway, I’ve got to run. Are you okay making it back to Dorrie’s place?”

  “Sure. Thanks again for relaying the message.”

  “Happy to do it.” He tipped his head again, then pivoted on the heel of his cowboy boot and sauntered back toward the door.

  She pushed her beer away. “Well, that just sucks.”

  Thirty minutes later, she’d revise her definition of what sucked.

  * * * *

  Livi dropped the sandwich she’d brought back from The Witches’ Brew. It hit the floor of her room, but her mind was too pre-occupied with the disarray around her to notice.

  “Oh, my God.”

  The place was a complete mess. The sheets had been ripped off the bed. Books on the small bookshelf were strewn around the room. Yet it wasn’t what had been taken apart or thrown around, it was what was missing that closed her throat.

  “My camera.”

  She knew when she saw the backpack on top of the bed that the camera was gone. Other pieces of equipment were scattered on the comforter, all shattered and useless, but her beautiful, saved-forever-to-get camera was gone.

  Whoever had ransacked her room had one goal in mind. They’d wanted her camera. Gone were not only personal photos, but the photos of the white wolf. A cry of dismay broke free when she turned to see her computer, another expensive purchase she’d saved long and hard for, its screen cracked and the keyboard dented with many of the keys popped off. She knelt to the floor and picked up the laptop. A loud cr
ack and the monitor was hanging by one side.

  “Fuck!” She tossed the computer away, but stayed where she’d knelt.

  “My word, what happened?”

  Livi pushed her body off the floor to face Dorrie. The horror on the older woman’s face matched the torment in Livi.

  “I can’t say for sure, but I’d say someone was looking for something. And they found it, along with tearing up the rest of my things. Hell, they even tore up my clothes.” She hadn’t noticed it before, but the clothing she’d left out—she was a proud slob—was shredded as though someone had taken a knife or scissors to it.

  Checking the small dresser, she thought herself lucky to find that that vandal hadn’t taken the time to sift through them and tear them apart, too. At least she still had a few pieces of clothing. To her relief, she found her gun still safely stashed under the clothing.

  “But who would do such a thing?”

  She whirled back, the answer ready to be blurted out. Dorrie’s confusion hit her first, then surprise. Did she really not know?

  And yet, if Dorrie was in the dark, she had to be told. Who knew what else could happen?

  “Dorrie, I’m sorry, but you’ve got to know who did this.”

  She blinked, acting like Livi had struck her. “What do you mean? How would I know?”

  “I only know a few people in town and only a few people back home know where I am. Going along with that and the fact that I don’t know of anyone else in my life who would go this far, there’s only one possible suspect.”

  “Suspect? You make this sound like a crime.”

  “It is a crime. It’s called vandalism and robbery. I’m not sure exactly how to classify it, but I know enough to realize it’s a crime.”

  The only reason Dorrie would try to downplay this was because she had an idea of who the culprit was. “You have to know that Dina did this.”

  Dorrie shook her head as she backed up. “No, no, no. I know Dina can be a bit of a challenge at times, but she’d never do anything like this. Besides, this is our home. No, girly, you’ve got it wrong.”

  “I’m sorry, but it has to have been her. I can’t think of anyone else, can you? You know she doesn’t like me, right?”