“We’ll take care of this, baby doll,” Daniel soothed as he took his mate in his arms. “Don’t you worry.”
Anders quickly strode inside, his gaze zeroing in on the figure sitting on the couch, head down and hands folded in her lap. Beside her, he recognized Deputy Police Chief, Cole Carson, talking to her softly. The sight of an unmated male so close to her was enough to make his tiger snarl loudly, the sound rattling from his chest. Both of them looked up at him, but he ignored Carson. Instead he focused on Darcey’s beautiful face, marred by a bruise on her cheek and various healing cuts all over her skin.
“Goddamned motherfucking sonofabitch!” Ignoring the protests directed at him, he bolted toward Darcey, kneeling in front of her. When he tried to reach out, she flinched away from him, and he cursed inwardly. “Who did this to you?” he demanded. “Tell me.” And he won’t live to see tomorrow.
“I-it’s already healing,” she whispered. “I’m fine.”
“No, you’re not,” he growled. “Someone hurt you. Who was it?”
“Get away from her, you asshole!” Sarah shouted. “How dare you come in here?” She turned to Daniel. “How could you bring him here, after … after …”
“I didn’t,” Daniel put his hands up defensively. He shot Anders a dirty look.
“I want him to leave,” Sarah barked at Carson.
“Now, now.” Carson’s voice was calm. “Let’s all step back for a bit. We’re here because someone attacked Ms. Wednesday.” He glanced at Anders, one brow shooting up, then turned to Darcey. “Ma’am, you didn’t want to come down to the station to make a statement, and I’m fine with that, I can take it here. But you really need to tell me what happened now while your memory is still fresh. Or we can still head to the station.”
She nodded. “Here is fine.”
Carson took out a notepad from his pocket, flipped it open, and pressed the tip of his pen to the page. “All right, start from the beginning.”
“I was w-working late tonight, by myself, and I was about to go home.…”
Anders slid onto the couch beside her, his entire body growing tenser and tenser as Darcey began to tell them what happened. By the time she was done, he felt hot and flush with fury, and his tiger was chomping at the bit wanting to get out.
“… and then after I called Daniel, I was finally able reach Sarah and she came here,” Darcey finished. “Th-that’s about it, Deputy.”
“Thank you so much, Ms. Wednesday, and I’m sorry about what happened. Are you sure you don’t want to get checked out by an EMT? They’re on standby outside.”
She shook her head. “I-I-I’m all right. I think these”—she gestured to the bruises and cuts on her arms—“should be gone by morning.”
“And thank you for letting me take pictures of them as evidence earlier,” Carson said. “Is there anything else you can tell us? You said he didn’t say anything? Just … sniffed you?”
“Did he touch you?” Anders asked, hands curling into fists.
She scowled at him. “I told you, that’s all he did. I mean, before he dragged me across the shop and I tried to get away and we went through the window.”
“Could he have been trying to kidnap her?” Sarah asked.
“Maybe,” Cole said. “Sounds like he was trying to identify you based on scent, and when he figured out what you were …”
“Those damned anti-shifters,” Daniel snarled.
“Wait, that doesn’t make sense,” Darcey said with a shake of her head. “He had to have been a shifter, too, right? If he sniffed me?”
“Was he a shifter, Ms. Wednesday?”
“Please, call me Darcey. And …” She closed her eyes. “I think so. It was dark, and he knew where I was. And he was definitely strong. Strong as me anyway. But everything happened so fast so I couldn’t tell what he was exactly.”
Daniel rubbed his chin with his thumb and forefinger. “A stalker then?”
“It’s that damned billboard.” Anders could feel his blood pressure rising.
“Billboard?” Cole asked.
“Are you blind, Carson?” Anders curled his lips back distastefully. “The one on Seventy-Five where she’s got her—”
“Stevens,” Daniel warned. “You know the one, Cole. Right by exit seven.”
Recognition flashed across the deputy’s face, as well as a hint of lust, which only made Anders want to pound it in more. “Ah, yeah.” The professional, emotionless mask slipped back on his face. “Have you gotten any extra attention since the billboard went up?”
Darcey cleared her throat. “There have been some guys coming up to me while I’m out or at the store … being persistent,” she said. “But I don’t think they would do something like this. Maybe this was someone who wanted to rob us?”
“All good theories,” Cole said as he put his notebook and pen away. “I need to check if my lab guys have arrived, then head back to the station and put the report in. I’ll take your contact info before you go. Do you live alone? Do you have someone to stay with you?”
“She’s with us,” Daniel informed him. “She won’t be alone.”
“Good. If you’ll excuse me.” He tipped his hat and then stalked toward the door.
“Jesus.” Anders raked his hand through his hair. “What the hell were you doing by yourself this late?” he said to Darcey. “What if that bastard succeeded in his plans? If he had gotten to you—”
“What do you care?” Darcey exploded, shooting to her feet. “Who asked you to come anyway? You have no right to be here.”
The words stung because they were the truth. And he knew she was correct. He had no right to be here; he threw that away the moment he rejected her.
“Let’s go home, Darce.” Sarah placed herself between him and Darcey. “You should get some rest.” Putting an arm around her sister, she led her away from him, and they left the coffee shop.
Anders made a motion to go after her, but Daniel blocked him, placing a hand on his shoulder. “Take your hands off me unless you don’t want it back,” he warned.
“Oh yeah?” Daniel challenged. “Just try it, Stevens.”
He huffed, but didn’t say a word.
“She’s not your concern,” Daniel warned. “You don’t want to be her mate? That’s fine. Your choice, no one can make you bond with her. But you stay away from her from now on. She doesn’t need a piece of shit like you hanging around.”
He just stood there, unmoving. Even when Daniel left and he was alone, he didn’t move a muscle. Yeah, he was a piece of shit all right. Wasn’t that what he wanted people to think? So they would never get close enough?
He couldn’t risk it. Couldn’t let anyone close enough to touch him, because everything that he came in contact with turned to shit. He’d ruined things all his life, and he would ruin her too.
And Daniel was right—Darcey didn’t need a piece of shit like him. She was better off—everyone was better off without him. He shut his eyes, reminding himself of why.
Why did you have to spawn that brat?
He’ll just grow up to be like his father. A boozer with no future.
He’s ruining everything.
He was doing Darcey a favor by rejecting her. That thought repeated in his head like a mantra, and it would be best for everyone involved if he just stayed away from her.
Chapter Five
“I swear, Sarah, I’m fine.” Darcey crossed her arms over her chest. “Will you guys please stop coddling me?”
“We’re not.” Sarah glanced over at Daniel.
“We’re just concerned,” Daniel added.
“Then why does this feel like an intervention?”
Daniel and Sarah were already in the kitchen when she came down at seven o’clock on the dot as she did every morning. Usually at this time, all three of them would have breakfast before Daniel went off to do his shift and she and Sarah headed off to the shop. They let Adam sleep in, since he was a teenager and it was the last few days of his summer vacat
ion.
This morning, however, as she came down, all dressed and ready for work, Sarah had “suggested,” i.e. told Darcey, that she should stay home.
“Someone tried to hurt you last night.” Sarah’s hands curled into fists at her sides. “You should stay here and rest.”
“I’m all healed up.” Darcey gestured at her arms and face, to show them that all the cuts and bruises were gone.
“The shop isn’t cleaned up either,” her sister added. “Daniel went back to cover up the broken window and door with a board, but the repair guys won’t be coming by until lunch. We might not even open at all today.”
“All the more reason I should come. You’ll need help cleaning up.”
“Ugh!” Sarah threw her hands up. “I’m going to wake up Adam.” She looked to Daniel, and a silent communication seemed to pass between them before she pivoted on her heel and headed out of the kitchen.
“You know she’s only like this because she cares about you,” Daniel said.
“I know.” With a sigh, she sank down on one of the kitchen chairs. “I’m telling you, I’m fine. Sure, I was a little rattled last night, but I’m all good now.”
“We still don’t know who attacked you,” he pointed out. “He could come back.”
“I’m sure he was just some guy looking for a couple of dollars.”
“Blackstone doesn’t have panhandlers or homeless people,” he said. “We take care of our own here. What if Anders was right about the billboard?”
Her head snapped up. “Of all the sexist, chauvinistic—” She pressed her lips together. “Don’t you slut-shame me too.”
Daniel’s eyes widened. “Darce, no, it’s not like that.” He sat down next to her. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for it to come out that way. Of course, you’re free to do what you want with your body. Sarah would skin me alive if I even thought …” He took a deep breath. “And I’m sorry. About Anders.”
It was difficult not to wince, or stop the glum feeling clouding over her. Her swan, too, whimpered at the mention of the name. It had been elated to see him last night and have him close. His presence soothed their nerves, which irritated the hell out of her.
“I didn’t bring him there on purpose.” Daniel had told her that Anders happened to be right in front of him when she called.
“I believe you.” She had trusted him enough to tell him what animal she was a few weeks ago, so she trusted him to tell her the truth. “I still don’t understand, though, why did he come all the way down?”
Daniel sent her a sympathetic look. “I know you grew up without anyone to explain the mate thing to you, but I hope I can try,” he began. “See, as your mate, Anders is always going to feel a connection to you. It’s his protective instinct. And you probably still feel drawn to him, too, at least your swan is.”
A hand went up to her chest. She was always going to feel this way? “How … how can I stop it? Is there a way for us to not be mates?”
Daniel shook his head. “I don’t know. I only know what my parents told me. But, as long as you don’t bond, the mating should remain incomplete. It’s not the end of the world, Darcey,” he assured her. “My mom had me, and she and my dad weren’t mates. They were happy together too. You can still find someone else and have a family with them.”
Her swan flapped its wings in protest. “I … thanks, Daniel.” That gave her some hope.
“Ugh, why am I waking up so early?”
She turned toward the doorway, where Sarah pushed Adam in as the teen rubbed his eyes. Darcey had asked Daniel and Sarah not to tell him about the attack, but only that there had been a break-in at the store.
“Seven twenty is not early,” Sarah said. “Besides, you should start waking up at this time, so you can get used to it when school starts.”
“Yeah, yeah.” He rolled over to Darcey. “So, Sarah tells me that you’re playing hooky at work today, and we should do something together.”
“I am, am I?” She shot her sister a dirty look. Sarah could be pretty sneaky when she wanted to. But … it was a day off, and she would get to spend time with Adam, which she hadn’t done since she had gotten back from Vegas. “Sure. What do you want to do? Watch a movie? Pie at Rosie’s? Hiking? Computer store?”
“I’ve been hanging around town doing all those things for weeks,” he said. “Why don’t we do something different? What do you want to do?”
Darcey tapped a finger on her chin. “I’m not sure either.” Back in Vegas when she worked at a children’s clothing boutique, she hardly had any time off. Her witch of a boss, Agnes, had her at the shop from morning until night. On her days off, she caught up with housework, then scrolled through her dating apps or scheduled a date. Seeing as she was definitely not doing those last two and Adam wouldn’t want to spend the day cleaning the house, she would have to think of something else.
“Darcey,” Sarah began. “You used to go back and visit the orphanage where you lived, right?”
She nodded. “Every couple of months.” On the rare times she did have two consecutive days off, she made the three-hour drive up to St. Margaret’s in Lund to visit the sisters and bring treats for the kids. It was too bad that now that she lived in Colorado, her visits would become even rarer, though she did vow that once she saved up enough money, she’d go back again.
“Maybe you guys could look into doing some volunteer work,” Sarah suggested. “Daniel, is there something like that around here? A senior center, food bank, orphanage, or shelter of some kind?”
Daniels blond brows knit together. “Hmm. I’m not sure, actually. See, the Lennox Foundation pretty much takes care of everyone here. School, healthcare, and most things people around here need. Maybe Jason—he’s the head of Lennox Foundation—might have something, but as far as I know, they work with paid staff and don’t really need volunteers.”
“If everyone around here’s taken care of, why would they need our help?” Adam pointed out. “Maybe we should look outside of town.”
“That’s a great idea, Adam.” Perhaps thinking about something other than her own problems would help distract her and put things in perspective.
“It might be a great opportunity for you, too, Adam,” Daniel added. “Something to add to your college application.”
“Great!” Adam said. “I’ll start looking.”
Darcey and Adam searched for any kind of volunteer opportunities in the nearby towns. Eventually, they found something that wasn’t too far out—just thirty minutes from where they were, in a town called Greenville. There was a community center there that catered to kids from low-income families and offered before and after school programs as well as support for parents. They called up the center and were told that, yes, they were in need of volunteers, and they could visit that afternoon.
Later that day, they headed to the Greenville Community Center. The building itself was obviously a few decades old, but it was clean and well-kept. The bright yellow and white paint added a cheerful, welcoming look.
“Hello,” she greeted the older, white-haired woman at the reception area when she walked in. “I’m Darcey. Darcey Wednesday.”
“Oh.” The woman smiled and clapped her hands together. “Darcey! Welcome. I’m Betty. We spoke over the phone.” Circling around the reception desk, she shuffled over and offered her hand.
Darcey shook it. “Nice to meet you, Betty.” She stepped aside to let Adam in. “This is my brother, Adam.”
Betty offered her hand to Adam. “Lovely to meet you, Adam.”
“Thanks,” he said, shaking the older woman’s hand. “Nice to meet you too.”
“Welcome to Greenville Community Center,” Betty said warmly. “I’m so glad you’re interested in joining us.”
“We’re glad to be here,” Darcey replied. “Where do we start?”
“Why don’t I take you on a quick tour?” Betty suggested. “We’re not a huge center like the one in Verona Mills, so it won’t take too long. We can also chat al
ong the way, and you can tell me what you were thinking of in terms of volunteering with us.”
Betty led them down the hallway from the reception area, taking them to the cramped offices, a small indoor play area, study room, kitchen, and the lunchroom.
“And now,” Betty began as they walked down the long corridor, “let’s head into the gym. Actually, it’s more of a multipurpose hall, and frankly, it’s not like those fancy high school gymnasiums, but sports are our most popular programs.” She pushed on the double doors at the end of the hallway. “Oh, you’re just in time too. We have our karate class going on.”
Coordinated shouts and the sound of feet slapping on the floor greeted them as they entered the gym. Betty was right—it wasn’t much of a gym, and it was obviously the most used area of the community center. The concrete bleachers were a drab gray, the paint on the wall was peeling, and the hardwood floors had seen better days.
In the middle of the gym, a group of about fifteen kids of varying ages wearing white uniforms were lined up in a grid atop rubber mats. They moved in sync as they went through a series of kicks and punches. At the front of the class was a tall man dressed in a white top and pants, a black belt tied around his waist.
Darcey’s skin prickled involuntarily, making her frown. Where the heck had that come from? As the man turned his head, she realized why she’d reacted that way.
Mine! Her swan flapped its wings happily.
Anders? What was he doing here?
“Darcey?” Adam asked. “You okay?”
She blinked. Betty and Adam were already a few steps ahead of her, while she remained rooted to the spot. Shock and awareness coursed through her, making it hard to breathe.
Betty cocked her head toward the class. “Come, I’ll introduce you to the kids and Sensei Stevens.”
Sensei Stevens?
Her swan urged her forward, and it was as if she had no choice. As she drew closer to him, her heart hammered a quick rhythm in her chest.
Anders put his hand up and the class stopped. “Great job, everyone. Water break.” The kids scattered off, most of them making a beeline for the water fountain in the corner. Stepping forward, Anders knelt down in front of one of the students—a little girl, probably no more than six or seven, who was also the smallest of the class.
Blackstone Ranger Rogue: Blackstone Rangers Book 4 Page 6
