Before things could move from eager to passionate, someone cleared their throat. Brock released her lip and they both looked down, their foreheads touching. Gia became very aware of Brock’s erection, pressed between his stomach and the side of her leg. Blushing she uncurled from his lap and stood, straightening her skirt.
“I’ll—uh—let you get dressed. Excuse me.”
Behind her she could hear the two men talking, but she blocked them out. Her heart was hammering and she needed to calm down. At that moment, her phone rang and she charged across the room to her purse, desperate for the distraction.
When she answered and her mother wailed, “You didn’t tell me you got shot!” she was less sure she wanted this particular distraction.
“Mom, I’m fine. I’m just at an emergency meeting with my boss and then I’m going to the hospital.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because I’m fine—and I didn’t want you to freak out on me.”
“Why didn’t you go to the hospital first?”
Because a bear in a hospital would have been worse than a bear in an airport. “Because it wasn’t bad and because there was a more pressing emergency. I’m going to go to the hospital now, and then I’m coming over. You can cook me dinner tonight. Okay?”
“You’re right. You need a proper meal tonight, not that takeout garbage your father brings you. I’ll fix something special.”
“Thanks, Mom. You’re the best.”
With something useful to do, Mrs. Carosa hung up the phone. Gia sighed and put the phone back in her purse.
“So, I’m taking you to the hospital?” Brock said.
She blushed at the sound of his voice and looked at him. He was dressed again, and aside from his suit being rumpled by being tossed so hastily aside earlier he looked no worse for wear.
And rumpled looks good on him.
“You should, since you got me shot.” She arched an eyebrow at him. “Or is that too much trouble to spare for the ‘dreaded temp?’”
He rolled his eyes skyward and stretched out his hands. “You had to tell her. I’m not going to live this down.” When he looked at her again he was grinning. “I think I can manage a trip to the hospital, even for you.”
“I haven’t heard you admit that this was your fault,” she said.
Remy snorted. “Be careful with this one,” he said. “And be careful with this Human Order. I don’t want to see either of you getting seriously hurt.”
They went out together to find it was full dark. “I guess I was a bear for a while there,” Brock said. “Well, I guess we’re going to emergency then. Come on.”
“Can you handle the waiting room?” she teased.
“I’ll be fine.” Brock shook Remy’s hand and then took the car keys from Gia. “Let’s go.”
Chapter 7
Brock’s home had been in the family for generations, a sprawling plantation-style mansion on an even more sprawling piece of property on the edge of the city. He had a small staff that lived at the house and occupied what had once been the guest wing. There they had a kitchen area and living room area and spacious rooms. They kept the house and property in good condition in exchange for the rooms and a good salary.
The house had undergone many renovations and modifications, including the plumbing and the kitchen, but still managed to retain an old-world cultural charm. The main kitchen, with shiny modern appliances, easy-glide drawers, and bright lights was done in warm earth tones. Brock hated the black/white/silver trend that had swept the housing market. It was a good thing he wasn’t planning to sell.
He came in the front door hearing only the sounds of an empty house. It was the wee hours of the morning after all—everyone else was asleep at the far end of the house. He dropped his keys in the bowl on the hall table and kicked his shoes into the large hall closet.
The kitchen was his first stop, and he helped himself to a heaping plate of leftover rice loaded with spiced meat and sautéed vegetables. Reheated it was almost as good as fresh, and he dug a beer out of the back of the fridge to wash it down. He grabbed the remote from the holder on the fridge and turned the TV on. It cast an eerie light across the otherwise dark room and Brock settled at the counter to watch the late news.
He was the main attraction, of course, and he watched the drama at City Hall unfold on the screen. He’d missed most of it in his rush to get Gia to safety.
Safety.
If there was a group of fanatical extremists targeting shifters, then dating him wasn’t safe—not to mention the media vultures would be all over that relationship in a heartbeat.
MAYOR SLEEPING WITH ASSISTANT
Yeah, that wouldn’t be a good headline. They’d assume his entire staff was ineffectual, that he’d hired Gia because they were sleeping together—never mind that they’d never met before that afternoon at the campaign office. Had that only been Monday? And now it was Wednesday. He glanced at the blue digital numbers on the stove and corrected himself. Thursday.
His credibility would be shot. Her credibility would be shot. From what she’d said that first day, this wasn’t something that would go over well with her father.
Brock knew Giancarlo Carosa from an assortment of business dealings. They’d battled over buyouts and property deals a few times. Giancarlo won on occasion, but more often than not Tandell Enterprises emerged with the prize. His company was bigger, older, and wealthier than Carosa Holdings. Even though they were in competition with each other, Brock had never disliked the man—couldn’t see a reason to dislike him now. But respect for Gia, for her career, and for his competition, did mean he had to take a step back from her. At least until Marsha returned and Gia moved on to a new job.
I only hope Gia can accept that without taking it as a rejection or a slap in the face.
He returned his attention to the news. They were showing photos of the attackers, whom police had apprehended at the scene. Not one of them had even attempted to run.
“These men claim to be a part of an organization called the Human Order. In light of today’s attack, several groups across the United States have stepped forward, all identifying themselves as chapters of The Human Order. While the group has not yet released any official statement claiming the actions of these men, it is apparent from online activity that members of this group are cheering these men on.
“The police are investigating the group but says its main focus is on the six men they arrested at City Hall today.
“Mayor Brock Tandell has been unavailable for comment. Staff at City Hall have said that Mr. Tandell was uninjured in the attack but was deeply affected by the situation and left for a safe location before police had locked down the area. The only individual injured in the attack was Mayor Tandell’s personal assistant, a Miss Carosa, who suffered a minor gunshot wound. She is in stable condition.
“The Mayor’s Office at City Hall has promised that the mayor will release a statement sometime tomorrow, but it is doubtful that he will make any further public appearances until the threat level can be determined.”
The news moved on to look back at the airport incident and Brock lost interest. His supper was done, his curiosity was satisfied for the moment, and he was exhausted. He left the dishes in the sink and went up to his room. It was the same room he’d slept in as a teenager. The master suite down the hall, which had been his parents’, was too big for him. He’d considered turning it into something else, but that would have taken away from the value of the home, so he just left it. Not that his room was small, but it was decorated the way he liked and filled with his things and he’d never wanted to move them, so here he stayed.
He stripped, tossing his clothes in the hamper to be dry cleaned later, and fell into bed.
He overslept his alarm. When he woke at ten, he was amazed that no one was chasing after him demanding to know why he wasn’t at the office dealing with this new emergency. Then again, he supposed even the mayor was allowed a few extra hours to reco
ver from being shot at.
He’d showered, dressed, and made it down to the kitchen in search of food and coffee when the doorbell rang. He opened the door to find Officer Jameson and two other officers on his porch.
“I was wondering how long it would take for someone to come looking for me. I didn’t expect the cops, though.”
“Who were you expecting?” Officer Jameson said.
“I was afraid they’d send Mrs. Lucas from HR. Don’t tell anyone, but that woman is a dragon.”
Officer Jameson’s eyes got wide.
“Don’t worry, I’ve never heard of a weredragon before. You should see your face.” He chuckled. “Come in. I’m just making coffee.” He led them to the kitchen and started pulling out cups.
“We’ve been waiting to talk to you.”
“I would suppose so. Well, ask your questions.”
“Have you ever seen those men before?”
“Do I know them? No. That’s not to say we haven’t crossed paths before. New Orleans is a big city. I don’t remember every face at every campaign event. I don’t remember every hand I shook on the campaign trail.”
“Fair enough. Tell us what you remember about yesterday.”
“I thought the press conference was going well. The whole idea was to calm the city down and give them information that might help avoid a future disaster, and I thought we were achieving that. And then those punks started shouting. I tried to keep things calm and rational, but they didn’t seem to like that. I could see them getting agitated. Then I saw the gun and hit the ground. I grabbed Gia and got her inside. I heard the shot blow by me as I went. When I saw she was hit, I performed first aid. Then Gia drove me to a safe house. The stress and the blood were making the bear hard to control. I’m guessing that’s what they wanted. They wanted to hit me, wound me, force me to change on the front steps of City Hall.”
“What would have happened if they had succeeded?”
“A wounded bear, surrounded by lights and people and sirens and men with guns? I wouldn’t be sitting here having coffee with New Orleans’ finest. I’d be in a prison cell waiting for my clan leader to come and collect me for my execution.”
Officer Jameson didn’t look surprised, but the two men with him visibly paled.
“Oh, didn’t you know that? The clans are very strict. If we hurt humans, we lose our heads. End of discussion. There is no arguing circumstance.”
“Sounds like good incentive for keeping control,” the blonde officer said, and then he hid behind his cup.
“It is. But that didn’t happen yesterday. Gia got me to the safe house and I paced around there on all fours for a few hours. When I was human again, I took her to the hospital.”
“We have her statement already,” Officer Jameson said, nodding. “Sounds like they match, more or less. I’m glad things didn’t get out of hand. We don’t like important people running away from crime scenes like that, but given the alternative I’m glad you were able to get somewhere safer.” He held out his hand and Brock shook it. Over the last month since Officer Jameson had been put in charge of Jules’ case, the two men had talked on more than one occasion, and the start of a friendship was growing between them. At least Jameson didn’t seem to be afraid of him. Fear was never a good basis for a friendship.
Or a relationship. Stephanie never came down to the warehouse. She always had some excuse for why she couldn’t come to meet the bear. She knew what I was, but she never accepted it. Not like Gia.
“You saw Gia today? How’s she feeling?”
“She says her arm is killing her, and this is more than she bargained for when she signed on as a temporary assistant. I think she mentioned going through all your files until she found your assistant’s contact info so should could file a complaint with someone who might care.”
He chuckled. “It’s been a pretty bad week,” he admitted. “She just started on Monday.”
“My suggestion? Don’t show up at work without chocolate. Lots of chocolate. With her name on it. We’ll be in touch. And we left a file with Miss Carosa regarding protocol for your statement.”
“I’d better get to work then, or Gia will kill me before this Human Order gets the chance.”
“Hey, one last thing. I know the full moon is coming up—everyone does. Be careful, okay? I don’t want to hear about your safe house getting hit by these people.”
“Thanks.”
Since he was already late for work, Brock washed the dishes before locking up and heading into the city center. Following the officer’s advice, he stopped at a nice gift shop he knew and picked up a box of gourmet fair trade chocolates. He considered a bottle of wine but decided he’d save that in case the chocolate wasn’t enough of an apology. Maybe a bottle of wine and company to share it with, he mused. No—you promised. This is a professional relationship.
By the time he made it to City Hall, it was nearly lunchtime. He was met by security and reporters—one group trying to get him inside as quickly as possible while the other was trying to slow him down. He avoided their questions and made it into the safety and relative quiet of City Hall.
“Thanks,” he said to the security officers. They nodded at him and resumed their posts at the door.
Gia’s office was empty when he got in, so he left the chocolates on her desk and went to work on his statement. There was a note from her on his desk.
“Gone for lunch. File from cops is here. Thank you again for yesterday. Gia.”
“Well she’s certainly earned a long lunch today,” he said to himself, and he got down to work.
He read the file and then started typing.
Press Release from Mayor Brock Tandell
In the face of yesterday’s attack on City Hall, I can only say that attacking shifters is not proving that they are the bad guys in this situation. I am proud of the security staff at City Hall who handled the situation with cool efficiency until police arrived to take the attackers into custody. We leave this investigation in the hands of New Orleans’ finest, and everyone here at City Hall will do everything in our power to assist the investigation in any way possible.
To dispel any rumors about yesterday, yes, the situation did make it hard for me to control my bear, but I was able to make it to the safety of a clan safe house before shifting.
I want to publicly apologize to my assistant and her family. I was the target of this attack and she was injured. I am eternally relieved that her injuries were not more severe. Though we have only been working together a few days, I have come to respect her and the work she does.
The Human Order poses a serious threat to the safety of everyone in New Orleans, shifter and human alike. Yesterday’s attack proved that. I am taking that threat seriously, and we are looking at every available option to keep this city safe.
We will continue to review the matter of shape shifters and policies governing their interactions with society. This threat cannot stop the conversation that needs to happen in this country. It is my hope that we can all continue to live together peacefully—as we have for generations.
He read it over twice, changed a few words, moved a few sentences around, and finally emailed it off to the public relations desk. He opened his emails and sighed. There was a lot of work waiting for him.
Chapter 8
Gia walked back into the familiar building that housed the offices of Carosa Holdings and smiled. It was like she hadn’t been gone at all. It had only been a few days, but it felt like a lot longer. So much had happened.
Sandra smiled at her and said, “Go on up, honey. Heard what happened. Glad you’re okay.”
Kenny (Shifter Football League Book 2) Page 25
