Hunt (The Grizzly Brothers Chronicles Book 1)

by Alyssa Rose Ivy

  I arrived at Mrs. Peterson’s in time to shift back and change. If Mara was already upset, now wasn’t the time to reveal any of my secrets.

  I paced the area in front of her porch. What was taking so long? I fought the urge to call Lauren’s phone back. I didn’t want to distract them and cause further problems. Although if they didn’t show up soon, I was going to have to.

  I heard the sound of a truck and hurried over to the start of the gravel drive. Lauren’s truck had barely stopped before I wrenched open the passenger side door. “Mara.”

  “Hey.” Her face was calm as she accepted my outstretched hand.

  She wobbled slightly when she reached the ground, so I pulled her into my arms.

  “It’s okay.” I didn’t know what happened, but I would fix everything. I tried to keep my voice light, but it wasn’t how I felt.

  “I’m sorry. It’s all my fault.” Lauren came around to where we waited on the other side of the truck.

  “How is it your fault?” I caught Lauren’s eye, but I didn’t let go of Mara. I had no plans to let go of her.

  “I was the one who took her to Green Acres.”

  “You took her to Lonny’s, didn’t you?” I could hear the anger in my voice. It was the last place my future mate should have been.

  “I didn’t think it would be a problem.” Lauren clasped her hands in front of her. “I thought she could use a break from Crestview, and I knew I could use the company.”

  I let out a deep breath. “It’s not your fault, but I still need to know everything.”

  Mara stepped back from my arms. “There were some men there who seemed to think they knew me.”

  “What do you mean by seemed to think?” I put my hands on her hips.

  “They knew my name. They knew Connor.” She grazed her teeth over her bottom lip. “But I had no clue who they were.”

  “And what did they say or do?” I kept my voice level, even though I was anything but calm.

  “They tried to get me to leave with them.”

  “What?” Rage surged through me. “Did they touch you?”

  Mara wrapped her arms over her chest. “Lauren saved me. She’s pretty kick-ass.”

  I forced a smile despite my anger. “That she is.”

  “I know a thing or two about self-defense.” Lauren shrugged.

  “Who were the men?” I looked to Lauren. She’d been in the area long enough to know almost everyone.

  “I didn’t recognize them.” She kicked the gravel with her boot. “Honest.”

  “I don’t doubt you.” She had no reason to lie. I was annoyed she’d put Mara in a dangerous situation, but she wasn’t the one worthy of my anger.

  Mara dropped her hands to her sides. “There’s no way they should have known me. It makes no sense.”

  “They asked about Connor?” I double checked to make sure I was following right.

  “Yes. And when I said I didn’t know where he was they got angry.”

  “They know who you are because of him, and that makes his disappearance even more suspicious.”

  “He didn’t disappear.” Mara stiffened. “He left town.”

  “He left town for a few days. It’s been over a week. He’s missing.” I went with blunt, because Mara needed to accept the truth.

  “But why would he have told anyone about me?” Mara leaned her head back and looked up at the dark, stormy sky before returning her gaze to me. There was more rain on the way. “And he’s not from here anymore than I am. How would he even know these guys?”

  “Are you sure he hasn’t been out here before?” Lauren asked gently. “How did he explain his reasoning for coming out here for the summer? Is it normal for him to spend months out of the area to work on a case?”

  Mara seemed to mull it over. “He’s an expert on real property litigation.”

  “Is the case out here big enough to warrant an expert?” Lauren was good. She was able to ask the questions I wanted to but make them less pointed.

  Mara bit her lip. “Now that you say that…”

  “What?” Lauren touched Mara’s shoulder gently. “Did you remember something?”

  “Kind of.”

  “What did you remember?” I asked.

  “He said something about doing an old friend a favor.” Mara closed her eyes for a moment. Then she opened them. “He didn’t elaborate on it, but he definitely said that.”

  “Bingo.” I’d known Connor was bad news.

  “Bingo?” Mara raised an eyebrow.

  “Yes. Maybe not everyone is happy about the favor he is doing.” I certainly wasn’t since he was working with the bears trying to steal my land.

  “But what do I have to do with any of it?” She wrapped her arms around herself again.

  This time I couldn’t sit back. I wrapped my arms around her half expecting her to move away, but she didn’t. Either she was cold and enjoyed the body heat, or she liked having me close. Maybe it was a combination of both.

  “Something.” I mulled over it and made a decision. “And until we get to the bottom of it, you are coming to stay with me.” There was no question about it. She wasn't safe on her own. Any guys that would threaten to take a girl in public wouldn’t think twice about going after her in private.

  "Are you kidding me?" Mara’s eyes widened.

  "No." I met her gaze. “Not in the slightest.”

  "A guy gets me mixed up with someone else and you think I’m going to stay with you?” Mara stepped back out of my arms.

  "He didn’t mix you up. How many Maras with connections to Connors do you think there are out here? Plus, even if it is mistaken identity, what will stop them from coming after you anyway?” I put my hands on her arms. She needed to understand this was serious.

  "Still, I'm not coming." She shook her head.

  "You are." There was no way I was budging on that.

  "Why would I listen to you?" She put a hand on her hip. “You can’t tell me what to do.”

  "Because you don't have a death wish." I needed her to understand this wasn’t a joke. She’d unwittingly stepped into a mess way bigger than she knew.

  "How do you know?" she mumbled.

  I grabbed her and pulled her into my arms. “Tell me that’s a joke."

  "It is, but I'm willing to face any risks that come my way." She lifted her chin.

  "I realize that. But I'm not. You don't know what these guys are capable of."

  "And you do?” She shook her head. “Who are they?"

  "Not the kind of people you want anywhere near you.” Lauren’s expression darkened. “You know that as well as I do, Mara. There was nothing friendly about them.”

  "Why would they want me?" She looked down at the ground. “I’m just Connor’s research assistant.”

  “This has nothing to do with you being his assistant. There’s more than that.” I needed to find out what. “You said you’re old family friends.”

  “Yes.” Mara nodded.

  “There’s got to be something there. Some answers.”

  "There’s no answers there. We grew up on a farm together hundreds of miles from here.”

  “But he brought you out here.”

  “We’re going around in circles.” Mara sighed.

  “Have you changed your mind?” I asked.

  “About what?”

  “Staying with me.”

  “No.” She shook her head. “I’m fine staying here.”

  “Not a chance.”

  “We already established that you can’t tell me what to do.”

  “It’s not telling you what to do, it’s protecting you.” And I would always protect her.

  “I don’t need or want your protection.” She gritted her teeth.

  She was far more stubborn than I’d originally thought. That was fine for some things, but not when it came to her safety. “But I am going to give it anyway.”

  She stepped up toward me. “Do you realize you sound like a brute?”

 
"Brute?" My jaw clenched.

  "Hey guys,” Lauren called slowly.

  I ignored her. "Is that really how you see me?"

  Mara put a hand on her hip. "It's how you are acting right now."

  "But not how I was acting in the woods?" I reminded her of what had happened only hours before.

  "Guys, seriously." Lauren’s voice rose an octave. “We have company.”

  “What?” I whirled around, shocked that I hadn’t noticed a man approaching. I’d been so focused on Mara that I’d missed a potential threat.

  I jumped in front of both Mara and Lauren and stared down the man in a suit that was currently walking up the driveway toward us.

  25

  Mara

  "You can step out of the way." The man dressed in a black suit walked toward where I stood behind Ian.

  I was usually one for being brave, but after dealing with the guys in the bar, I wasn’t feeling particularly courageous. I may have played it tough with Ian, but I was nervous. Maybe not nervous enough to stay at his place, but nervous enough that I had no interest in dealing with another stranger. I stood far enough back that I could see around Ian’s broad shoulders, but I hoped I was still hidden.

  "Who the hell are you?" Ian snapped.

  "Is that how you greet visitors around here?" The man smiled. "Where is that small town charm I heard you guys have?"

  "It only applies to those who are welcome.” Ian’s voice was hard.

  "And I'm not welcome?"

  "Not until you tell me why you’re here.” Ian crossed his arms. The action accentuated his muscles.

  “I’ll tell Mara who I am.”

  At the sound of my name, I stepped around Ian.

  The man’s lips twisted into a smile as he looked me over. "My, you've grown up."

  I studied the man. He was clean shaven, with a thick head of jet black hair. I couldn’t see much else of him in the growing darkness. "Do I know you?"

  "Not really. But that's not your fault." He grinned as if his words were some sort of inside-joke I was supposed to understand.

  "I'll repeat my first question." Ian moved closer to me. "Who the hell are you?"

  "Did Connor tell you why you’re here?" The man ignored Ian and addressed me. "I'm starting to doubt it."

  "You know Connor?" I asked.

  "Yes." He smiled. "Where is he? I'm surprised he let you out of his sight."

  "I wish I knew," I mumbled.

  "Is he in town?" The man took a step toward me, and Ian growled. As in actually growled. I’d never heard a guy do that before. The man smiled even bigger.

  "He was," I answered honestly.

  "And he left you here?" The man’s forehead furrowed. “With these sorts around?” He pointed at Ian.

  "He left me here.” I ignored his comment about Ian.

  "Which means you'll come with me."

  "Not a chance in hell." Ian stepped in front of me again.

  "And who are you?" The man finally turned his attention to Ian. “I know you’re Ursus, so save that part of the speech.”

  “Ursus?” I asked.

  The man in the suit laughed. “Your friend has been keeping you in the dark.”

  “Get off this property.” Ian glowered. "I am the only one Mara is going anywhere with."

  "Mara, who's this clown?" The man in the suit asked.

  "Stop talking to me like you know me." I must have been dreaming. Nothing about the evening made any sense.

  The man laughed. "Fiery one. Willem is going to have fun with you."

  "Willem?" I recognized the name from the bar.

  "So you have heard of him. At least you know something."

  "'Mara, you can wait inside." Ian nodded toward my house.

  "No. He's going to tell me who he is and why people keep referring to me by name." I wasn’t sure where the sudden burst of confidence came from, but maybe it was because I was no longer convinced any of this was real.

  "I do wish Connor was here. It would make this all a lot easier." The man stepped toward us.

  "Easier for you and me both," I said under my breath.

  “Mara, please go inside.” Ian’s words were softer this time, but they didn’t hide a warning.

  “I think going inside might be a good idea,” Lauren took my arm.

  I nodded absently, letting her lead me toward my house. Whatever this guy wanted from me, I had to assume it wasn’t good. Lauren’s touch was normal, and that in itself made me wonder if I wasn’t dreaming after all.

  As soon as the door closed behind us, Lauren leaned in to whisper. “Pack a bag.”

  “A bag?” I whispered back.

  “We have to get you out of here.”

  “If this is about going to Ian’s, I don’t want to hear it.”

  “You should hear it. Forget your feelings for him for a moment. Be smart.”

  “Are you coming too?” Maybe I shouldn’t have been so comfortable with the woman who had led me into danger

  “If it means you’ll go.”

  “Please come.” Leading me into danger or not, she at least seemed to be a nice person, and I had no one else to trust.

  She nodded. “Then pack a bag.”

  I listened. I selected my smallest duffel bag and stuffed in some of my clothes and toiletries. I wasn’t thrilled about staying at Ian’s, but Lauren was right. My feelings for him aside, getting out of this house was a good idea.

  But then I thought of something. “What about Mrs. Peterson?” I couldn’t leave an innocent woman to deal with a mess that seemed to revolve around me.

  “I guarantee she’ll be safe. Ian won’t let anything happen.”

  “I’m so confused. You trust him yet tell me to stay away.” And that made things even worse. I wasn’t sure who to trust and who to run from. All I wanted to do was jump in my truck and drive back to the farm, but I wasn’t sure if that was the answer. If Ian was right, and it wasn’t mistaken identity, what if they followed me there? I refused to tarnish the one real home I had.

  “I already explained my feelings about him. He might not be who I’d recommend as a boyfriend, but there is no one around who could possibly keep you any safer.”

  I put my bag over my shoulder. “How are we getting out of here?”

  The walls of the house were thin, and I could still hear Ian and the suit guy arguing outside.

  “Ian is distracting him.” Lauren gestured to the front.

  “How do you know that?”

  “I just do. Which means we need to move. Now.”

  I considered what I was about to do. I was going to trust a woman I didn’t really know to help me run to the house of a guy I also didn’t really know. “What’s an Ursus?” I remembered the term.

  “I’ll let Ian tell you. We need to go.”

  I nodded absently. “So how are we getting out of here?” I repeated myself.

  “Out the back door.”

  “Oh. I forgot about that.” I walked through the living area and had Lauren help me push aside the couch that was currently blocking the second entrance. I paused. “How’d you know there was a back door?”

  “I stayed here when I first came to town.” Lauren pushed open the back door, and I followed her out into the night.

  We wove through the quiet woods quickly all while I clutched my duffel bag. I’d never run away from home as a child, but I had a feeling it might feel similar to this.

  I hoped Lauren knew what she was doing. After ten minutes, she stopped, pulled out her phone, typed something, and returned it to the back pocket of her jeans. “We need to head to the road.”

  “Were you texting someone?”

  “Yes.” She nodded. “Our ride.”

  “Who is it?”

  “Ian’s brother, Noah.”

  “Noah?” I hadn’t met that brother yet.

  “Yes.”

  We hurried toward the road, and even from a distance I noticed a car parked.

  “Why are the police here?” I
pointed to the police car.

  “I told you, I called Noah.”

  “Ian’s brother is a cop?”

  We reached the edge of the woods and an attractive guy dressed in a police uniform walked over. “Hello, Lauren.” He tipped his hat at her. “And you must be, Mara.” His eyes locked with mine.

  “Guilty as charged.”I grimaced at my stupid line.

  He laughed. “I heard you needed a lift.”

  Lauren glanced over her shoulder. “Yes. And fast. I don’t think Ian’s going to be able to hold things back any longer.”

  “Hold what back?” I asked.

  Lauren looked back toward the woods. “The guy in the suit.”

  “There’s a guy in a suit?” Noah opened the passenger and back seat doors.

  “Yes.” Lauren slipped into the back.

  “You can fill me in later.”

  I glanced back at the woods one more time before sliding into the passenger seat. It was my first ride in a police car.

  26

  Ian

  Either this guy was dumb or very smart. He seemed completely oblivious to the fact that Mara had run off, but maybe it was all part of some bigger plan. There was no way of knowing, and at the moment all I cared about was making sure Mara was safe.

  “You don’t know what you’re getting yourself involved in here.” The man eyed the house and then set his eyes on me.

  “I’m afraid you have it all backwards.” I tried to stay calm; I’d get more information that way.

  He smiled. “What exactly do you think I have backward?”

  “You’ve walked into trouble. I’d suggest you walk right back out of it.”

  “Walk back out of it?” He laughed. “You have no idea who she is.”

  “I know exactly who she is.” She was Mara, and she was mine.

  “If you did, you wouldn’t be handling the situation the way you are.”

  “Maybe you don’t realize who I am?” I hadn’t volunteered my name.