by Crissy Smith
“Have you ever heard of Detective Adam Cross?” she asked.
“No.” Magnus leaned forward.
“He was a detective with the LAPD who worked in the gang unit. I’d recently been transferred to the missing persons division, but I knew him socially. He was killed one night after he and his partner stumbled onto a burglary at a local all-night store.”
“A shifter?” Magnus had tightened his hand into a fist.
“Not him,” she said. “His partner was, though. Adam could have asked for a transfer. It was common back then when the shifters…you announced your presence. If a human wanted a different partner, the request would be granted.”
“I’ve heard some stories about LAPD,” Magnus said.
“The worst ones are probably true.”
“But Adam stood by his partner,” Magnus stated.
“He did. It made him unpopular.”
“But I bet it was even harder for the shifter,” Magnus said.
Melissa dropped her gaze to her hands. Her heart hurt. “Yeah,” she said softly.
“So, this cop gets killed and…”
“They walked in on a burglary and the guy panics. He shoots Adam and the partner returned fire. Perp is dead, but Adam is bleeding out.”
“Jesus,” Magnus said.
“Adam’s partner is screaming on the radio for help.”
“I have a feeling I know how this ends.” Magnus rubbed his hand over his face.
“Dispatch waited to pass on the information. Available units waited to respond. Adam bled to death in his partner’s arms,” Melissa finished.
“Fuck,” Magnus spat.
“There was a massive cover-up. The partner ended up walking away from it all.”
“I don’t blame him,” Magnus said.
“A couple of months after everything had been swept under the rug, I heard a captain in my division talking about the incident. They called it an ‘incident’. They blamed Adam for not bailing on his partner when he had the chance,” she told him. “This captain had a copy of the radio transmission. I found it in his desk.”
“You went into your superior’s desk?”
“They were laughing about the death of a fellow officer,” she defended herself.
“I would have done the same thing,” Magnus said.
“After I listened to it, I couldn’t put up with it any longer. It changed me. The desperation in Tr…the partner’s voice. I will never forget it,” Melissa confessed.
“So, you started making waves,” he said.
“Yes.”
“So, that’s why I hired you,” Magnus told her. “And I expect you to do the same thing here.”
She snapped her gaze to his.
“There is something going on in my town. Now, I’m not saying the park rangers are involved, but if they are, I’ll take them down. You’re going to help me.”
“I will.” Melissa nodded. “Yes.”
“Good,” Magnus said. “Let me introduce you to Deputy Wilson. He’ll bring you up to speed.”
“I’m excited to get started,” she told him. It was the truth.
“One more thing.” Magnus rose from the desk.
“Yes?”
“Were you sleeping with Adam or the partner?”
Damn, how does he know? Melissa turned to face her boss. “The partner.”
“The shifter,” Magnus clarified.
She nodded.
“And what happened with him?”
“Nothing I’m proud of,” she said.
Magnus walked over then shocked her by patting her shoulder. “We all make mistakes. But at least I understand more now. I’m happy to have you as part of the team.”
Chapter Two
Melissa’s first week at the sheriff’s office was eventful. Magnus did have a strong dislike for the two park rangers who had been in and out of the office. Melissa wasn’t sure whether the rangers were involved in the recent hike in illegal hunting, but if not, then they weren’t taking the threat seriously.
Magnus had stated he wasn’t surprised, since they were human.
She didn’t know if Magnus didn’t trust all humans, or only the ones he dealt with. So far, he’d treated Melissa with respect, often asking her opinion on important matters. The other new deputy’s arrival had been postponed for another couple of days, so she was still working mainly with Deputy Wilson.
This was the first time Melissa had been invited out with her co-workers. Logan’s girlfriend worked at the bar on the edge of town. Melissa hadn’t met her yet, but Logan brought her up often. Melissa hoped she’d find a friend in Annabelle. Not only did Melissa not know anyone in town other than the men she worked with, but it was turning out to be hard to connect with the residents of Brookside. Magnus had told her to give it time.
Apparently, the citizens of her new town found it hard to trust people.
Melissa understood—she did—but it was getting lonely.
In LA, when most of her fellow officers had started giving her the cold shoulder, she’d still had friends outside the police force. Being in a new place equaled starting over. Which was what she’d wanted, but Melissa would have preferred to be liked here.
She followed Carl Wilson inside the bar named The Den.
It was as she’d expected to find in a small California town out in the middle of nowhere. The place was pretty busy for a Friday night. The music wasn’t too loud, though.
At a corner table sat Magnus, Logan and the two junior agents with the Coalition, Fredrick and Fabian. Melissa had liked the twins as soon as she’d met them. Fabian was loud, flirty and fun. He was also dating Carl. Fredrick, more serious than Fabian, was smart and nice. He’d even casually mentioned them getting dinner some time. Although Melissa wasn’t ready to date and didn’t want to mix her personal relationships with work, it was nice to be noticed.
The pretty woman behind the bar waved at them before pointing to the table with their co-workers.
Must be Annabelle.
She was supposed to be a feline shifter. Melissa tried to see if she could pick up any signs the young woman was a shifter.
She moved with grace, but that could have been from years of experience waiting tables. There was nothing screaming shifter to Melissa.
“Glad you could join us,” Magnus said as she and Carl reached the table.
Fabian pulled Carl down next to him.
“Thank you for inviting me,” Melissa replied. She sat in the empty chair between Magnus and Logan. That gave her the opportunity to see the entire bar, including the entrance.
“I brought beers.” The woman from behind the bar walked to the table holding a tray of bottles. “Anyone want something different?”
Everyone around the table shook their heads, including Melissa.
“Good. I’m on a break now.” She passed around the drinks. When she set one in front of Melissa, she smiled. “I’m Annabelle.”
“Hi, I’m Melissa.”
“I know,” Annabelle said. “I’ve wanted to come meet you, but Logan wouldn’t let me visit the station.” Annabelle nudged her boyfriend.
Logan wrapped his arm around Annabelle’s waist, then pulled her onto his lap. “Because I wouldn’t get any work done with you around.” He kissed her neck.
Annabelle laughed while smacking his hand. She turned to Melissa. “How’re you settling in?”
“Good,” Melissa replied. “It’s a big change from Los Angeles, but for the better, I think.”
“I could never live in a big city,” Annabelle said. “I love my town too much.”
“You’d never leave the bar unless it was to climb your tree, if you didn’t have to,” Logan said.
Annabelle shrugged at his teasing. “True.”
“I was born and raised in LA,” Melissa told her. “I didn’t think towns like this actually existed.”
“Well, I’m glad they do,” Logan stated. “It’s nice.”
“You’d live in a cave if Annabelle wan
ted,” Magnus remarked.
Logan flipped Magnus off. “You’re one to talk. You don’t leave Brookside, either.”
Melissa enjoyed the teasing between co-workers. She’d had that once. Hopefully, she would again.
“There is no reason to leave here, ever,” Magnus stated. “No one should.”
She’d noticed the people she met seemed to have an unusual attachment to this town. Melissa wasn’t certain if that was a shifter thing or not. Brookside wasn’t picturesque. The buildings were rundown, the streets needed repairs and, with only two hundred residents, businesses weren’t exactly booming. Still, there was something about the place that called to her. It seemed she wasn’t the only one.
“You’re staying in the old Windham place, right?” Annabelle asked.
“I am,” Melissa said. “It is a beautiful house and it came furnished.”
“Mary Windham moved to Colorado with her daughter after her husband died.” Magnus picked up his bottle and drank. “She was a good woman.”
“She took good care of the place. I’ve always lived in an apartment. I was kind of worried that I wouldn’t be able to manage a place so big, but I like it. Last night, I drank a glass of wine, sitting on the back porch. It was so peaceful.”
Annabelle picked up the bottle she’d brought Logan. She tipped it to Melissa. “It is peaceful here. Have you gone into the state park yet?”
“I found a running trail not far from my house,” Melissa told her. “It takes me about two miles into the park.”
“Oh! I know the trail,” Annabelle said.
“I’m hoping to explore a little more. I printed out some maps of the area.”
“If you need a guide, just let me know,” Annabelle said. “I probably know every inch of the forest.”
Leaning back in her chair, Melissa sipped at her beer. “That would be great.” See, I can make friends. Annabelle seemed to be nice and Melissa had a good feeling about her.
It might not have been what she’d had in LA, but Melissa didn’t think she’d ever be ready for relationships like that again. After Melissa had started to look into cases where shifters were being treated unfairly by the LAPD, her so-called friends had turned their backs on her.
The pain of betrayal remained with her even to this day.
“What are you doing Sunday?” Annabelle asked.
“Uh, no plans.”
“So?”
Melissa cocked her head. “So?”
“Do you want to go hiking Sunday?”
“That might not be a good idea,” Logan said. “We haven’t had any trouble for about a week, but that doesn’t mean it’s safe.”
Annabelle huffed. “We’ll go hiking on only marked trails. In the morning. There won’t be hunters out.”
Logan shook his head. “One stray bullet…”
“I’m not going to stop visiting my trees because people suck,” Annabelle argued.
For the first time since she’d begun working at the Brookside Sheriff Department, Melissa understood why Magnus seemed obsessed with keeping the state park safe. It was the people of Brookside who were suffering. Annabelle couldn’t go for a run because she might get shot at. Logan must live in constant fear for her safety. It wasn’t as simple as handing out tickets for illegal hunting. The threat was real. People, good people, could be killed.
“Be careful,” Logan told Annabelle.
Annabelle grinned before turning to Melissa. “You in?”
“Yes!” Melissa said. Excitement built as she thought about navigating around her new home.
“Great. So, is there a man living in that big house with you?” Annabelle asked.
Melissa didn’t miss the way the question drew the attention of the entire table. She looked around. “Uh, no man right now,” she admitted.
“So, you left a poor broken-hearted guy back in LA?” Fabian questioned.
“Nothing like that,” Melissa said. She avoided looking at Magnus. Ever since she’d let the only man she’d ever loved slip through her fingers, Melissa hadn’t given any thought to her love life. It just didn’t seem important—she needed to make amends for what she’d done first.
“Don’t worry—we can gossip on Sunday,” Annabelle said. “Without all these men listening in.”
Melissa laughed. It felt good to have a friend again.
“There’s Trent!” Annabelle said. “Trent!” She waved.
Melissa glanced up and almost dropped her beer bottle. Oh, God! It can’t be. After years and years of searching, there was no way. But it was. He had the same swagger as he sauntered across the bar floor.
He looked up and their gazes locked. Trent froze.
She’d know those clear blue eyes anywhere.
“What’s the matter with him?” Annabelle asked. She rose, but Trent wasn’t looking at her. No, he hadn’t taken his eyes off Melissa.
Melissa stood. “Trent.”
In a flash, he’d turned on his heel and was storming through an open doorway, back further into the bar.
“What the—?” Annabelle said.
But Melissa didn’t stop to think about her actions or what the others thought. She rushed after Trent, not even pausing to look over her shoulder as Magnus called her name.
Melissa skidded around the corner and almost crashed into a big biker guy.
“Hey, there,” he said, grasping her upper arms to catch her from falling. “Slow down.”
She jerked out of his hold. “Sorry, sorry.” Melissa tried to go around him.
“I’m sorry, Miss, but customers can’t be back here,” he told her.
“Please.” Melissa looked up at the big guy. “I have to get to him.”
The man frowned. “Who?”
“Trent,” she answered. “I need to catch him before he takes off.”
“Trent.” He looked behind him. It appeared he was trying to decide whether he’d let her through.
“You don’t know me,” she said. “I understand. But I need to talk to him.”
“I don’t think that’s wise. Trent didn’t look like he wanted company.”
“He probably doesn’t.” Melissa blew the hair out of her face. “But I still need to talk to him.”
The man peered at her as if he could see the secrets she was trying to hide. Melissa was so desperate to catch up to Trent she didn’t care. “He went out of the back door. Just go through the kitchen. If he went into the forest, you won’t find him,” he said.
“I have to try,” she responded.
“My name’s Mac. Trent works for me. He’s also a friend.”
“Okay.”
“I don’t want to see him hurt.”
Melissa met the biker’s gaze. “I’m hoping to fix some of the hurt he’s already been given.”
With great reluctance, Mac stepped aside. “You better hurry.”
She didn’t waste time. Melissa high-tailed it down the hall and through the large kitchen. The woman cutting vegetables didn’t even look up at her.
“Please,” she whispered. Melissa banged open the back door and ran through. She skidded to a stop when she saw him.
Trent was pacing back and forth on the other side of a picnic table that separated them.
“No.” He shook his head. “No.”
“Trent.” She held up her hands. “I want to talk to you.”
“Why are you here?” he yelled. The pain lacing his voice hurt Melissa. “This is my place. My family! You’re not supposed to be here.”
“I’m sorry.” God, she was sorry. Melissa had gone over what she’d say to Trent if she ever saw him again, but all the words had left having to face him in reality. He seemed so much the same, but different.
Instead of the brilliant smile he’d always given her, his jaw was set and his lips pressed together. His light-brown hair was longer than she’d ever seen it. And his body… Dear God, he’d bulked up. In a pair of faded jeans and a tight black T-shirt, he looked fantastic.
“What are you d
oing here?” he demanded.
“I didn’t know you were here.” She stepped forward, but he shuffled back several feet. “I swear I didn’t know you were here.”
“And you just happened to show up where I live?” he asked. “I don’t fucking believe you.”
Melissa had picked up enough talk at the office to know The Den was not only a bar but housed several shifters from the area. The way Magnus and Logan often stopped talking when she walked into a room had made her suspicious that more was going on than she was aware of. Anytime The Den was mentioned, Magnus and Logan exchanged looks.
“Answer me!” he shouted.
“I didn’t know you were here,” Melissa said. “I joined the Brookside Sheriff Department a week ago. I was only having a beer with my co-workers when you walked in.”
“You’re the new deputy?” Trent went pale.
“I didn’t know!” Melissa would beg for him to believe her.
“You work for a town full of shifters,” Trent said. “Is this a fucking joke?”
“No.” Melissa tried again to get closer. Trent seemed so lost in thought he didn’t react this time. “I’ve changed.”
“You changed,” Trent barked.
“I—”
He pointed a finger at her. “Stay the fuck away from me.” Then he turned and stomped off into the forest.
Melissa thought about following him but knew that if Trent wasn’t ready to talk, there wasn’t anything she could do about it. But now she knew where he was. Melissa dropped down on the bench of the picnic table.
Trent. Here.
How in the hell had she gotten so lucky?
When he’d first taken off out of LA, Melissa had been relieved. God help her, but she had been glad the stress and drama from Adam’s murder would end. Since she’d first started dating Trent, she’d become fast friends with Adam. Her and Trent and Adam and his wife often double-dated.
She’d lost Adam the night he’d been killed, but she’d lost Trent as well.
Trent had gone nuts when the Medical Examiner had pronounced Adam dead on scene. It had taken eight officers to get Trent down and under control.
Later that night, when Trent had gone to her apartment looking for comfort, was when she’d made the biggest mistake of her life. The things she’d said to Trent still made her sick. It didn’t matter she’d been afraid, having received threats earlier that day. She’d turned her back on him when Trent had needed her the most.
