“I thought you’d left.” Hoped was more like it.
“Obviously.” He stepped forward, kissed the pout from her lips, and presented the coffee cup. “Have some caffeine, Detective. I imagine you’ll need it today.”
“Thanks.” Uncertain how to handle her morning-after edginess, she tried for nonchalance. Sipping the coffee, she savored the rich aroma and proceeded to get ready.
She disregarded the odd sensations that crept up her spine as he watched her. Unprepared for feelings of domesticity, she chose to focus her thoughts on the case. She had to fill Cooper in on the shooter, find out what he learned from the bookie, and check on whether they’d turned up anything at the warehouse this morning. And there was still Hahn to deal with whenever he popped up out of his hole. Turning off the hair dryer, she pulled her hair back into a ponytail.
“You may want to contact your partner soon.” Rafe’s voice made her glance toward the now-vacant doorway.
“Oh?”
“He called earlier.”
“He what?” Panic widened her eyes. She hadn’t heard the phone ring.
“You were sleeping rather soundly. I didn’t have the heart to wake you.”
“You didn’t—”
He stepped into the doorway again. “I thought it best to let your answering machine pick it up.”
Relief swamped her. “Wise choice,” she said as she moved past him to gather her clothing. She hopped into a pair of jeans and tugged on a turtleneck.
“He plans to tear this place apart if he doesn’t hear from you within the next thirty minutes. He apparently tried to reach you late last night.”
“I didn’t check the machine.” She’d forgotten to set the alarm, too, which only proved how wrong she’d been to get involved with Rafe. He made her lose her mind. Turning, she caught sight of him fully clothed. “Where’d you get those?”
He finished buckling his belt and reached for a blazer. “I had Luc bring me a change of clothes this morning.”
“Oh, that’s just grand. Broadcast where you spent last night, why don’t you?”
“Calm down. He’s circumspect.”
She crossed her arms. “We are talking about Lucian Stone, right? AKA Lucifer?”
He chuckled, tugged on her hand, and pulled her reluctant body into a brief embrace. “Your secret’s safe with me, Detective.”
“It’s not you I’m worried about.” Yeah, right. She pushed away from him, started to put on her jacket, until she saw the blood stains on the collar. Tossing it aside, she headed for the door. “But I don’t have time to argue the matter now. I’ve gotta run. I’d drop you off somewhere, but I’m needed at the station.”
“That’s all right. I can manage on my own.”
She’d barely made it halfway down the hall when a knock sounded at the door.
“Mackenzie!” Cooper pounded on the door again.
“Guess he’s early,” Rafe murmured as he paused in the bedroom doorway behind her. Mackenzie felt the blood drain from her face.
“You think?”
“Mac? I know you’re in there. Open up, damn it.”
“Hide,” she ordered before moving slowly to the door. She cast a quick glance back to see Rafe move into the bathroom and out of sight. “Coming. Hold your horses.” Sucking in a deep breath, she opened the door.
“Where the hell have you been?” Cooper’s face twisted into a mask of fury, or worry.
“Good morning to you, too. What brings you out here?”
“I tried your house last night and this morning.” He stepped toward her, but she continued to block the door. “You didn’t answer.”
Yes, there was definitely concern in that voice, hidden beneath the quiver of anger.
“I tried to reach you, too, last night. Didn’t you get my message?”
“The one that said you were going to check out a tip from a snitch and would contact me later? Yeah, I got it, but you didn’t call back.”
“Guess I should’ve, but things got dicey, and I was beat. Long night. Got home late and sacked out. Forgot to set my alarm. Overslept.”
“You’ve been home all night?”
“Didn’t I just say that? Look, I’m sorry I missed your call this morning. Must’ve called while I was in the shower. Why the third degree?”
“I heard about the ambush from dispatch first thing this morning.” Cooper frowned as his hand rose to her face. “I was worried.”
“There was no reason to be. As you can see, I’m fine.”
He stared at the wound, letting his thumb caress her temple.
“What the hell was that?” Cooper’s hand dropped to his pistol.
She cast a quick glance over her shoulder. “What?”
“That sound. I know you heard that. You got someone in your place?”
“No.” Her grip tightened on the door, and she kept her expression blank. “It’s an old building...odd sounds are the norm.”
Cooper wasn’t buying it. “You gonna let me in?”
“What for? I’m on my way out.” She wondered how she could retrieve her keys and a coat without releasing the door.
“I know someone’s here, Mac. You gonna tell me what’s going on?”
She let sarcasm lace her voice. “Nothing’s going on, except for a pounding headache made worse by my partner who shows up with a bunch of pain-in-the-ass accusations that I don’t intend to dignify with a response.”
“What am I supposed to think? I come over here to check on you after hearing about last night and...what was that?”
With trepidation, Mackenzie looked over her shoulder and saw nothing. “What?”
“That flash. Don’t tell me you didn’t see it.”
“Bulb must’ve blown. It was flickering earlier.”
“Let me in, and I’ll check it out.”
“That won’t be necessary. I’ll handle it. Let me get...” The words died in her throat as she turned to see a black, devilish wolf appear.
She was going to skin Rafe alive for this.
Cooper cursed and pushed around her to stand between her and the wolf. The animal growled.
“Stop it,” she hissed, grabbing her partner’s arm and yanking him aside.
“What’s that doing here?”
Mackenzie moved between them with her back to the animal. For some unknown reason, she felt it more necessary to keep an eye on the man rather the wolf. That was until Rafe nudged her backside with his muzzle.
“Rafe,” she growled.
“Rafe?” Cooper asked.
Caught off guard, Mackenzie stared, dumbfounded, at her partner.
Tell him I gave you the animal temporarily.
“Uh...He loaned me the dog.”
“Why?” Cooper crossed his arms and eyed the animal, which sat beside Mackenzie and returned the man’s scrutiny.
Her mind drew another blank. “Good question.”
To prove that the breed can be safe.
“He said he wanted to prove to me that his animals are safe.”
“And you believe that?” Cooper’s look said he wasn’t believing a word, even though the wolf repositioned himself, stretching out carelessly on the floor.
Mackenzie let her nervous irritation show. “I don’t know. Maybe he just needed a babysitter for the mutt.”
Rafe growled. Mutt?
“Oh yeah. He’s safe all right.” Cooper closed the door behind him but continued to watch the wolf. “This is ludicrous. You can’t keep a wolf in the city.”
“Wolf? All I know is that he’s a well-trained canine.”
“Well trained to kill, you mean. What the hell were you thinking, Mac? Did you even tell Mr. High and Mighty Murder Suspect that you’re allergic to animals?”
“Not exactly. Apparently, I’m only allergic to cat dander, not canine fur.”
“So what? He just shows up on the doorstep with a wolf?”
“No. I...uh...I wound up with him after dinner. He wouldn’t take no for an answer.”
That’s because you didn’t say no last night.
She nudged the arrogant wolf with her foot.
“Where was the dog while you were out trading shots with the snitch?”
“In the car,” she lied.
Cooper leaned in for a closer look until Rafe sat up suddenly, causing the cop to step back. Mackenzie could almost hear the snicker in the wolf’s panting.
Cooper pointed. “I don’t recall seeing this one at Stone’s estate.”
She smiled. “You wouldn’t. He wasn’t there.”
The wolf whined.
“Where was he?”
Thinking quickly, Mackenzie said, “At the vet supposedly.”
“He was hiding this one?”
“I doubt that, since he gave him to me last night.”
I gave you more than that last night.
She let her smile turn into a smirk. “You got a field kit with you, Coop?”
“Yeah.”
You wouldn’t.
“Go get it. Might as well use this chance to get a sample for testing.”
“Ah. Now I see. You’re a sly one, Mac.”
“Just following every lead as always, partner.”
When the door closed behind Cooper, Mackenzie turned on the wolf. “You just had to make a noise, didn’t you?”
It was an accident, which is more than I can say for your field kit threat. You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?
“Oh yeah, I just love nearly getting caught having a tryst with a prime suspect in a murder I’m investigating. And the field kit isn’t a threat. What did you expect me to do when you pranced in here on four legs?”
You don’t think of me as a suspect any more. I don’t prance. And I’m not a mutt.
“You’re still high on Cooper’s list of suspects and don’t be so sensitive. What did you expect me to say? You show yourself as a wolf in my home knowing that my partner thinks I’m allergic to animals. I couldn’t just cuddle up with you and say, ‘He followed me home. Isn’t he cute?’”
Cute, huh?
She rolled her eyes as laughter erupted in her mind. “Try to behave.”
I will if you will.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
You behave, and I will, too. Don’t let him touch you again.
“You saw that?” Her moment of shock turned quickly to frustration. “You were supposed to hide, not peek around corners. What if he’d seen you?”
He didn’t.
“He could’ve.” She fisted her hand and scowled, and then felt foolish for fighting with a dog. “Ugh! I can’t fight with you when you look like that.”
If a wolf could smirk, the one in front of her was a master.
“He’s going to be back any second, so listen and keep your jealousy on a leash.”
Jealous? I’m not...
“Would you be quiet and listen? I’ll get him out of here as soon as possible so you can change. You’ll have to lock up. And try not to let anyone see you leave, okay?”
All right, but you owe me one.
“Owe you? I don’t...” She stopped when Cooper opened the door.
“Got it.”
She smiled at the wolf. “Come, boy. Now, sit.”
That debt grows with each word you utter.
She snickered.
“What’s so funny?” Cooper asked.
“Nothing. Let’s get this over with and get back to work.”
As they donned their latex gloves, Cooper said, “You can’t keep him.”
Her gaze locked with the wolf’s, and Cooper’s words suddenly took on a deeper meaning. “I know,” she said softly, and then looked away from Rafe’s stare.
“So, what’s his name?”
“Name?”
“Yeah. He does have one, doesn’t he?”
“Of course, he has a name.” Her mind raced as she brushed the wolf, collecting hairs in an evidence bag. The wolf met her urgent gaze, and the name came to mind. “Rae. It’s Rae.”
Unimpressed, Cooper eyed the animal. “I would’ve expected something more manly, like Phantom or Killer.”
What does he know about manly with a name like Coop?
Mackenzie hid her chuckle beneath a cough, only to draw a concerned look from her partner.
“You shouldn’t be doing this. What if you have an allergic reaction after all?”
“I’m fine. Really. Let’s just finish and go. I need to meet with Fuller and get an update on the search at the warehouse.”
“Actually, that’s another reason why I’m here.”
The wolf’s tail stopped swaying as she drew out a needle.
“What do you mean?” she asked Cooper.
“We’ll talk in the car. I need to run an errand before we go back to the station, and I’d like backup.”
Giving him an odd look, she moved closer to the wolf with the needle in hand.
Careful with that.
The sudden warning in her head made Mackenzie jump, then frown at the wolf. “Hold still.”
Be gentle. Sly humor caressed the words in her mind.
“You got some place to keep him while you’re out? A kennel or something?”
No cages. Rafe’s words held an ominous tone of alarm.
Mackenzie put her hand on the wolf’s head. “He doesn’t exactly like cages. He’ll be fine here.”
“You can’t leave him cooped up in a small apartment,” Cooper warned. “He’s wild. He’ll probably tear your couch apart and urinate in every corner.”
Mackenzie fought the urge to laugh. “If he does that, I’ll have him neutered.”
Cooper winced sympathetically as Rafe snarled. The dire warnings now rumbling in her head had Mackenzie chuckling despite herself.
“If this is to be my job from now on,” Luc said, “I want a raise and a damn chauffeur’s hat.”
Rafe slid into the passenger seat beside his agitated brother, who cranked the Jag and spun out into traffic.
“You wouldn’t wear it if I got you one. Besides, I thought you’d love a chance to drive the Jag.”
Luc snorted and whipped the sleek car around a minivan. “No. I just don’t want to ruin my rep by riding around with big brother hugging me on a Harley.”
Rafe laughed. “That wouldn’t do much for my reputation either.”
“What took you so long?”
“An unexpected guest. Nothing I couldn’t handle. You got the information I asked for?”
“More than you’ll need. It’s in there.”
Rafe picked up the manila envelope and inspected the contents as Luc yawned. Blueprints, maintenance logs, tax records.
“You found this out in one night?”
“I’m gifted. What can I say?”
“And the right amount of charm and money can make any loyal employee talk.”
Luc’s laugh was cut short by another yawn.
“Get some sleep today. You’ve earned it.”
“Damn straight. So what’s with the detective? Did the lady lion get a little rough?”
Rafe gave him a sideways glance.
“Come on. Fess up. I haven’t had to bring you a change of clothes because of a woman since those Lycan twins.”
“Luc...”
“What a fucking spring break that turned out to be. Man, were they foxes.” Luc whistled.
“Damn it,” Rafe muttered.
“So, are you having a midlife crisis or something?”
“You can be a real pain in the ass, you know that?”
“Natural talent.” Luc grinned.
Rafe leveled a stern gaze on his brother. “I was shot.”
The change in Luc was instant. “Tell me.” He listened intently as Rafe recapped the previous night’s events, after he’d called about using Luc’s new GPS device to track Mackenzie’s route. Luc’s scowl grew fiercer with each word.
“She knows about you...about us? A cop—”
“I didn’t plan for her to find out this way.”
Rafe had wondered the same thing, although not exactly in those terms. The effect she’d had on his life baffled him. He knew trusting Mackenzie to keep his secret was an extremely risky maneuver, but he couldn’t very well expect her to trust him if he weren’t willing to return that faith, at least in part. And he did want her trust. He wanted her. Period.
He’d enjoyed replacing the suspicious look in her eyes with glazed passion. Odd, he thought, how even seeing that suspicion and uncertainty return this morning had pleased him. She’d crossed the line into a relationship he was positive she didn’t understand any more than he did, but he intended to make sure she stayed with him. Now that he had her, he wouldn’t give her up.
Seeing the bullet graze her forehead had hurt him more than the shot that ripped through his own flesh. The pain and fear that he’d been too late...the panic was a new experience for him. It stunned him how quickly she’d infiltrated his stronghold and become his weakness. The idea that she wielded that much power frustrated him.
“What’s done is done,” he told Luc. “The important thing now is to ensure her safety.”
“Her safety? What about the threat she poses to our safety? Did your pillow talk include our shadow ops? Why not fax her a list of Lycan agents?”
Rafe frowned. “She doesn’t know about the clandestine operations of L.I.”
“Thank heaven for small favors.” Luc braked for a stoplight and leveled a hard look on him. “Know this, brother. I don’t give a damn how good she is in bed; if she becomes a danger to you or the pack, I will take her out.”
His hand shot out and latched onto Luc’s neck. Fury burned through Rafe’s veins, a firestorm engulfing him almost beyond sanity. “You touch her, and I’ll...”
Luc snarled and gripped his wrist with both hands. His narrowed gaze flashed with an angry challenge. “You’ll what, brother? Choose her over the pack? You’re the alpha, damn it. It’s your responsibility to protect the pack, not jeopardize it over some woman.”
Lycan Packs 1: Lycan Instinct Page 18
