by Bryce Evans
“No…no we didn’t.” Jamie looked worried that he couldn’t pick up a scent. She decided it wasn’t worth fighting him over so she pulled away from him and started packing her bags. If someone was masking their scent that well then she was a target. She looked back and could see the stress leave Ryder’s face when she started packing. He didn’t say anything as she continued to get her stuff together. It didn’t take her long since she hadn’t unpacked anything but her sweat pants and t-shirt.
Ryder was looking at the pictures she had drawn of the system she was making. Jamie came over and silently took her luggage out of her hand. He stopped and looked at the pictures too. “What is this?”
“You asked me to help you with the problems with the wards so I’m making a program that will. At least I hope it will. I will need someone who is a tech person and can make the system while I make the program that will make it work. I know you need it fast so I’m trying to hurry,” she explained pointing at the cameras. “We will need to put the cameras on telephone poles or the cable poles so it looks like they are working on the lines. Maybe get a TV network company to put them up so it won’t look as obvious as to what they are.” London hesitated to continue with the other wolves listening in the room. She didn’t want anyone to know but Ryder and the Council. If it got out then she would know where it came from.
“Listen it’s not that I don’t trust your people but I’m very careful about this stuff and I only want you and the Council to know about this so can we talk about this at home?” London whispered as she leaned into Ryder’s space. She could see his nostrils flare, as she pressed closer, and his eyes dilated and appeared to glow. She could tell that he was starting to get aroused. How in the hell she did that she didn’t have a clue.
“Is this everything you need London?” Jamie asked as he walked over to her. London watched Ryder close his eyes and move away from her.
“Yes except I can’t leave the front door wide open. What if someone comes back and steals the computers. All my work will be gone. They can’t get in the system but they can keep it from me. It has to be protected until I can get the door fixed tomorrow and the ceiling closed off so nobody can crawl through that vent in the roof. And I’ve got to back up my stuff so I can remote in from anywhere,” London said firmly.
“I will bring in some Enforcers to guard the roof and front door until tomorrow.” Ryder’s voice was raw with emotion. She could see how stiff his back and shoulders look, and he didn’t turn around for a few seconds. She had never seen him like this.
“Okay. I’ll lock this door just in case and put a lock on the computers. If they are moved, I will be able to tell. Tomorrow I will order some equipment that should keep the information safe even if they take the computers,” London said then walked over to her computers and typed something in then watched as the computers blinked off.
“I’m ready,” she said, walking toward the door with Ryder following behind her. She could feel the heat coming off of him. It felt strange. Why was he acting so protective of her? If he liked her so damn much then why did he…London shook the thoughts out of her head. If the man liked her, he would show it and most of the time they argued.
Jamie spoke to three men she had never seen before. She turned back around to ask Ryder who they were but decided not to since he was helping her out. When she looked back at her business, they were gone. She scanned the street and roof but didn’t see anyone. That was weird. Jamie got into the driver’s seat and backed up.
London didn’t realize just how tired she was until the darkness of the night made her eyes droop. Before she knew what was happening, Ryder had picked her up and carried her into his house. She inhaled his scent as she snuggled closer. She would regret it tomorrow. Tonight she was too damn tired.
Chapter 25
Ryder laid her down on the bed and covered her up, and London remembered a brief kiss to her forehead before she went to sleep. She usually slept five hours a night, her body never allowing her to sleep past six, so when her eyes blinked open later, she figured it was still early in the morning until she looked over at the clock on the dresser that said it was nine in the morning.
Panicking she jumped up and started scrambling to find her clothes. She had a lot to do today. Why Ryder let her sleep this late was beyond her. In fact, where was her cell phone? She remembered setting it last night before she got in the shower. It should have woken her up if she could find the damn thing. London ran over to the closet to search for her suitcases and found all of her clothes unpacked and hanging up. Stepping back, she wondered what the hell was going on? Who did this and why?
Walking over to the dresser she opened the drawers, and gasped when she found all her underwear and bras and a few other lingerie items sitting neatly in the drawer.
There wasn’t any time to ponder this new drama. She needed to take a quick shower and get to work. When she located Ryder she would ask who unpacked her stuff.
* * * *
Ryder couldn’t believe someone broke into her office. If something would have happened to her he…couldn’t even think about the possibility of that happening. He would never forgive himself if that happened.
Sitting in the chair all night watching her sleep gave him time to think. She was his to protect. No matter if they couldn’t mate she was still his to protect. All he could think about at the moment was her scent. It drew him in like a moth to a flame. He burned inside not being able to touch her. Her sweet musky scent made his mouth water. She would always be his crutch. He didn’t want people to know that either. She would be pushed around or used to get to him. He needed to be careful when he was around her and not show her any extra attention or people would figure it out. Nobody understood that. Not even Jamie or his best friends. Jamie thought he was crazy about London and if he let him know that he was correct then he would never leave it alone. This way nobody got hurt. He could still protect her and care for her without marking her. Because once he marked her she would most likely be challenged by someone stronger just to make a point. He couldn’t let anyone hurt her. He knew he would kill whoever did and that could never happen.
Stirring the eggs, he thought about how pretty she was as she slept. Watching her sleep, Ryder could see the bags under her eyes and knew she needed to rest more, so he took her cell phone with him in case her alarm woke her up or Zoey called her.
Zoey had called as soon as she got to the office and the front door was being replaced. The Enforcers tried to calm Zoey down but she wouldn’t stop crying until she called and checked on London. Ryder promised that she was okay and still asleep. He laughed when he told her she was still asleep.
“I’m coming over there now. London never sleeps this late. Never! Something is wrong.” Ryder assured Zoey that nothing was wrong and he would personally drive her to work and make sure she was okay.
He could hear her moving around upstairs as he hung up the phone. She was probably freaking out when she saw that her clothes were hung up. What would he say when she asked why? He would think of something. He was always better off the cuff.
He heard the bedroom door open. He stirred the eggs faster so they would be hot when she walked into the kitchen.
He glanced over at her when she walked in. He felt lost as he stared at her. It made him sick knowing he couldn’t have her.
He turned around when she walked in the kitchen. “Good morning?” Ryder choked out. His voice left him when he saw her beautiful face. She wasn’t even wearing much make-up and the woman was the sexiest woman he had ever seen.
“You didn’t wake me up?” London complained.
“No. You were sleeping too well. I thought you needed the sleep. I’ve got breakfast ready. Sit down and eat before I take you to the office.”
Ryder watched as London sat down and started eating. Her stomach was growling loudly until she started shoveling the food in her mouth.
He grinned when she finally looked up at him.
“That was grea
t,” she said, making Ryder smile. “No really it was great. Thank you. I enjoyed it.”
He watched her as she picked up her plate and glass, and placing them in the dishwasher.
“I’ll take you to work when you’re ready.” Ryder suggested.
“I will be ready in a minute. Just need to get some things and I will meet you outside.” London responded.
“Sure. Meet you back in five minutes.” Ryder agreed as he continued to watch London walk back upstairs to the bedroom. He couldn’t figure out what was taking her so long when she came downstairs carrying a small bag. He knew his sister carried a lot of stuff with her when she went place to place so he didn’t ask what was in the bag.
They were silent as they left the cabin, and got into his vehicle, but Jamie walked up to the SUV before he pulled off, leaning down he whispered, “Kenny didn’t show up for work this morning.”
“Find him,” Ryder ordered. Fuming at the ignorance of his enforcer—Kenny Davis. He’d been found drunk more times than he could count since he lost his wife two years ago in a car accident. A drunk driver killed her and their unborn child.
Ryder had found someone who dealt with shifters and could help Kenny cope with his loss, but it was nearing his wife’s birthday and the therapist said anything like a birthday or seeing a family member of hers could trigger him into drinking again. She said to keep him busy and on those particular days to make sure someone was with him. However, it didn’t make any sense since her birthday was two months away. He would deal with him later. He was probably out on some binder and would turn up later and apologize for his actions. He thought that since he found another mate he would be okay, but the therapist said anything could trigger a relapse.
Chapter 26
When they pulled up to her office, the front door was brand new, and looked like it was made up of some type of bulletproof glass. It looked invincible to her but she didn’t have a clue what it was made of. Right now, all she wanted to do was, reach over, and lick the man in the driver’s seat because his scent had been driving her nuts. She had smelled men before that had on some great cologne but this scent was making her think stupid thoughts. Like pulling up his shirt and sniffing his body like a dog in heat.
As Ryder pulled up and stopped, London couldn’t get out of the car quick enough. She inhaled deeply trying to soak in the fresh air. Ryder’s scent was potent. No one had ever had this type of effect on her. She reached back in and grabbed her bag as Ryder was getting out. He looked over at her funny, but she’d exited the vehicle so quickly that he probably thought she was crazy.
“Thank you for the ride,” she said.
“No problem. I was coming to the office anyway. I can take you home too.” Ryder smiled.
“I’ve got a date tonight so you won’t have to do that.” London waited for her statement to sink in. His smile turned into a frown very quickly.
“With who?” he demanded. His eyes had narrowed as they focused on her. His tone was not the sweet voice she had heard earlier. Now it was laced with hurt and anger.
“With Nolan if you have to know. You were standing there when he asked me,” she fired back.
“Nolan,” he said, sarcastically.
“Yes. Nolan,” she answered, then began to walk into her office. Ryder followed her into the building. She could hear his heavy footsteps following behind her. She wondered if she went to the bathroom would he follow her in there too.
Donnie and Zoey came out of Zoey’s office. They both ran up to her and hugged her like she had been lost and brought back to civilization. Donnie held her so hard she thought he was going to cut off her breathing.
“Hey guys, I’m okay. Stop crushing my lungs.” London choked out. Donnie slowly let go and looked at her.
“You are not staying here anymore. You can stay with me,” Donnie insisted. “I knew it was a mistake when I left. I should have stood my ground and carried you out of here on my back.”
“She is staying with me,” Ryder answered loudly. Donnie and Zoey both looked over at Ryder. They hadn’t seen him when she walked in.
They both looked back at London making sure that was what she wanted to do. Zoey sighed then shook her head at her brother’s demanding ways. London pulled away then said she needed to start the program on the computers. She glanced back at Ryder then walked into her office. Donnie grabbed her bag and followed behind her.
She could see the stern look on his face. It wasn’t a worried look but a look of pure jealously. She sure didn’t understand that. He’d had numerous opportunities to date her, but he continued to play with her emotions.
She could hear him go into Zoey’s office and close the door, while Donnie watched her closely as she sat down in her chair and began turning the computers on. He didn’t say anything but she could tell he wanted to know what was going on. She was going to tell him but she needed a minute to think.
Donnie continued to stare at her until she looked up at him. “You’re staring.” She smiled knowing he was about to bust with wanting to know what happened.
“Spill it, sister. Now,” Donnie demanded with laughter in his eyes. She considered letting him stew for a few more minutes.
“Damn it, London. Tell me already,” he sputtered. She couldn’t help but giggle for a minute then looked up at him and explained what had happened.
“Did they see anyone when they got here?” Donnie asked. “What if they put in listening devices? We need to get a sweeper to see.” He got up and started pacing. “Maybe they want to know what we are doing so they put listening devices in our building but you surprised them and they heard the sirens and ran.” Donnie’s voice got higher with hysterics as he continued to come up with different scenarios.
“Then I need you to go and buy us a-what did you call it—a sweeper?” She repeated.
“Yes, a sweeper. Don’t you watch the spy movies?” Donnie shook his head at her like she should know this kind of stuff. He was going to flip out when she showed him the spy dust. This might be a good thing. Donnie probably could give her more suggestions on how to get the powder on the right people.
“Okay, I need to work so go get me a sweeper so we can sweep this place down,” she suggested. Donnie jumped up and swiftly said good-bye then ran out of her office. She loved that man.
She worked on the project for a few minutes then heard Zoey’s office door open and then someone walking quickly out the front door. She looked up and Zoey was standing at her door. She could tell that her brother must have complained about her date with Nolan, but she already knew about it.
Zoey sighed then sat down on London’s couch. “I can’t seem to get anything completed with fixing the front door, the roof, and my crazy brother who wanted me to tell you that you couldn’t go out with Nolan. I have never seen him this jealous about anyone,” Zoey concluded.
“Why does he care, Zoey? I’m starting over here and trying to meet new people. I’m going outside my box here. You know? I know they are friends, but it’s just a date. You would tell me if Nolan was a bad person,” London expressed, as she scooted her chair over to the couch.
“I know and I stressed that to him, London, over and over again. I don’t know how to explain it. He has never acted like this toward any girl. He cares about you. I hope you can see that. He just has a funny way of showing it. I told him that you were trying to meet new people and that you were only going on a date. Not sleeping with Nolan,” Zoey said. A few seconds passed with nobody saying anything. “Right, London? You’re not going to sleep with him, are you?”
London watched the look of shock come on her best friend’s face when she didn’t say no right away. She pointed at Zoey’s expression then busted out laughing.
“No you big dummy, but if I did Ryder couldn’t do anything about it. If I wanted to I would, but I’m not really attracted to Nolan like that. He is good looking but he isn’t my type. You know what I mean?” London explained.
“Yep, I understand more than you kn
ow,” Zoey answered. London wanted to know what she meant by that, but if Zoey wanted her to know something she would tell her. She smiled and let the conversation drop. The bell over the front door went off.
“I’ll get it.” Zoey went into the other room.
London continued to work on the program for the cameras that would be placed all over the city borders and around pack land. Zoey came back carrying a big box.
“Guess what just came in?” Zoey set the box on her desk and used the scissors to open it up. London couldn’t believe it actually got here in time. The money worked. Zoey opened the box and felt around inside. She pulled out two big bottles of dust. The dust came in two different colors one was lighter than the other one but she needed to test it to see if it works.
London picked up her phone and called Donnie who was looking for a sweeper. “Hey I need for you to look for a pair of glasses that would pick up ultraviolet stuff. I know Donnie. Just say we need it. You don’t have to explain to them what we need it for. Yes and we need it fast and today.” London hung up the phone and went back to reading the directions that came with the package.
“Do you think it will work?” Zoey asked.
“Don’t know. When Donnie comes back with the glasses, we will know if it works. Unfortunately, this stuff can be washed off so we may only get one chance at this then find a way to reapply it. That is what is going to be hard. I need to see if we can get something built that can spray it out when it’s triggered. You know like a claymore mine. When you trip the wire, it goes off. Maybe it can spray them with the dust so we can pick them up and have the Enforcers arrest them before they leave.”
“What’s a claymore mine?” Zoey asked laughing.
“The military uses them in war time. I read about them. The soldier’s will set them on the ground and they have wires coming out the side of them and when someone walks through the wires-it makes it go off and blows them up. We can make a program that allows the spray to go off when someone walks through it. There is a lot of stuff to work out, but tonight we can experiment and see what happens. You and Donnie need to be at Ryder’s tonight so we all can keep watch.” London explained, she set the dust down and went back to her computer and added the components of the dust into the program. She had a lot to do and a short time to do it in.
