Guardian Bears: Lucas (11 page)

She snuggled into him, holding tight, suddenly irrationally afraid that she'd lose him if she ever let him go.

* * *

L
ucas held onto Emily tight
, feeling her confusion of feelings. The fear giving way to joy, the joy tainted by new fears. He didn't know what to do apart from holding her tight, but that seemed to be enough to calm her.

Eventually, she looked up at him.

"When this is over, what happens?"

He couldn't read the look in her eyes. Fear and hope, yes, but what was she afraid of? That was still a mystery to him.

"Then we have time to ourselves," he said, reaching down to brush a strand of hair from her eyes. "We can do whatever we want. Together."

The feelings in her eyes intensified, and she bit her lip in that endearing gesture. "Do you really mean that?"

"Yes," he said, frowning. "Don't you trust me on that? I want you to stay with me when this is done. I
need
you to."

"I guess I do trust you," Emily said, though her eyes didn't show it. "But… why? Why me?"

"Because you're my mate," he told her, feeling his bear grumble agreement inside him. "I know that doesn't mean anything to you, yet, but it's the way bear shifters like me work. My bear knows that you are the only one for me, and for him."

Emily shook her head, confused. He didn't blame her – he couldn't imagine how that sounded to a non-shifter, someone who didn't have an animal soul to help them find their one. But
he
knew that fate had brought them together and marked them for one another. And he wasn't about to let that go.

"Are you sure your bear's got that right, then?" Her voice was full of doubt. "I'm no one special. I'm sure you can find someone better than me."

Lucas laughed. He couldn't help it. The look of confused hurt on her face sobered him instantly, but still he smiled as he answered her. "I'm sorry, I'm not laughing at you. But that's ridiculous. You're smart, you're pretty, and you're brave enough and fast enough to fight off a wolf-shifter hitman and give him the slip for weeks without help from anyone. And then fate sent you to me, or me to you. Don't doubt yourself so much, Emily, you're wonderful, and the universe has made its decision clear. We belong together."

Her smile seemed more genuine this time as he pulled her close for another kiss. He didn't think he'd gotten all of her doubts, that would take time, but it seemed like a good start.

"Now, let's get cleaned up and I'll make those calls," he told her. "The sooner the wolves are off your trail, the sooner I can show you just how serious I am."

L
ucas had long
since given up wondering how Karl had so many friends and contacts, but they were very useful in the security business. By the time Emily was getting out of the shower, Karl had gotten back with a number for a wolf shifter who was willing to talk about their community.

Hopefully this guy knows our wolves,
he thought, dialing. Emily came through to the kitchen while he waited for someone to answer. The sight of her lifted his heart, and he watched her bustle about putting on a pot of coffee as the phone rang and rang.

Just as his impatience was about to take over and he was about to hang up, the line clicked open.

"Harper," a voice said. It was powerful, deep, a voice which commanded attention.

"Lucas Barns, Guardian Bears Security," he replied. "My colleague Karl gave me your number – I need some information regarding a group of wolf shifters."

"Ah, yes. Karl." Harper sounded slightly amused. "A good man. How can I help you?"

"I need to track down a pack," Lucas explained. "I don't know much about them, unfortunately: I have a client who is being menaced by them because she is a witness to a murder one of them committed."

"That sounds unfortunate," Harper said. "When you say 'murder'…?"

"I mean what I said. My client's employer, Sam Tanner, was killed over a disagreement with less-than-legal investors. The killing was carried out by a wolf shifter."

There was silence at the other end of the phone. It stretched and stretched, to the point where Lucas started to wonder if the other man had hung up on him. Eventually, though, the wolf shifter sighed a heavy sigh.

"I was right, then. Unfortunate." Harper paused again and then continued. "There is a pack in your area that has rejected the Compact between wolves and men, and gotten involved in organized crime. They have seen the inherent possibilities of using their talents as enforcers for the mob, I understand, sordid as that is. Probably they are the ones you want."

He didn't sound happy, and Lucas couldn't blame him. That was a nasty business – the supernatural community getting involved in criminal activities was something that happened, of course, but a group working as enforcers was the kind of thing which couldn't last. Sooner or later, someone would slip up and get caught.

The Compact Harper spoke of was the deal between all the members of the supernatural community, the arrangement that let them get on with their lives. Its most important rule was keeping their existence from the rest of humanity. A group that rejected the rules would be dangerous, because they turned their backs on the protection and aid of the society of their peers.

On the other hand, it was somewhat good news for Lucas. Everyone involved would want the evidence to go away quietly, and no one would back up the wolves if it came to it. Even other wolf shifters wouldn't want to get caught up in protecting them, not when it meant risking the secrecy of their existence.

"That sounds like them, yeah," he said aloud. "Can you get me in contact with them?"

"I certainly can make some introductions," Harper replied, less than enthusiastically. "But you need to understand that these are not reasonable people. They have stepped outside the Compact and risk bringing danger to all of us; they may not react predictably to your involvement."

"I have a client whose life is on the line here," Lucas growled. "If they don't listen, then there'll be danger for
them
. I
will
deal with them, one way or another. And if they've dumped the Compact, then there's nothing to hold me back."

"I don't doubt your abilities. Just remember the choices they've already made to get them to this point."

Lucas grunted agreement. They wouldn't have much to lose, he supposed. But hopefully, that would also make them more eager to resolve this without drawing attention to themselves. After all, they didn't have anyone's help to fall back on.

He couldn't help thinking that he was being optimistic there, though. That a pack of wolves who had rejected their society and become part of the criminal underworld wouldn't have much in the way of self-control.

"Why hasn't someone done something to stop them yet?"

The sigh he heard from Harper sounded sad, almost wistful. "There isn't anyone to do it, I'm afraid. Not amongst us wolves, at the moment. This pack is the most powerful in the area, and they haven't caused enough havoc yet to draw in any troubleshooters. Frankly, I am glad that this has drawn your attention rather than the human police's – I've been expecting this to turn into a disaster."

Another pause, and then Harper continued. "I'd have dealt with it myself but I am getting too old, certainly past the age to challenge their Alpha for leadership of the pack. He is something of a terror in a fight, and while in my prime I would have taken him, those days are past now."

"That leaves it in my hands," Lucas said, nodding to himself. It always came down to that. "Send me contact details for the rogue wolves and I'll deal with them, one way or another."

"I'll let them know to expect your call," Harper said and hung up, sounding glad to be able to hand the problem off to someone else.

As he looked down at the phone frowning, Emily came over with a mug of coffee for him. It was strong and black, and he smiled at her, wishing he could forget all about this and take her back to bed.

Work first,
he told himself sternly.
You'll be able to have as much fun together as you like after these assholes are out of her life.
He put his arm around her, holding her close as he took a sip of the coffee. It felt good to be next to her.

Moments later, a text arrived with another number. Rubbing his eyes, Lucas sighed and dialed again.

* * *

E
mily couldn't help paying
some attention to Lucas' phone call to his wolf contact. It wasn't that she wanted to pry, but it was a peek into a world she had no idea about. A world that she was now involved in, whether she wanted to be or not. And one that she would be living in forever, if she stayed with Lucas.

She wanted to, so badly. It wasn't just that he made her feel safe – before this nightmare, she'd not felt the need for that. But he made her feel so much more, the way he looked at her, the way he smiled. He didn't have a face used to smiling, she could see that, and it made the fact that he smiled for her all the more precious.

Plus, it doesn't hurt that he is the most gorgeous man I've ever met
, she admitted to herself. Just looking at him made her tingle inside, remembering how good he'd looked stripping for her. And how his touch, so gentle for such a big man, had made her feel. It was a little selfish, but she wouldn't want to be without that feeling for the rest of her life.

So as she poured a cup of coffee for Lucas, she listened, wanting to know a little more about the world of the shifters. A little more about what she was getting into if she dated – or should that be mated? – one of them. Lucas' life was so different from her own, different enough that his half of the conversation seemed almost meaningless to her. But she couldn't doubt what he was saying, even if the talk of 'rogue wolves' sounded ridiculous.

As he finished the call, she gave him a mug of coffee and a smile, trying to make it encouraging rather than fearful. She wasn't sure what the look he gave her meant, but she did know how it made her feel – her body melted under his strong gaze, and she blushed bright red.

Stop it, Emily
, she told herself, turning away.
Don't distract the man who's trying to save your life
. As much as she wanted to let him take her back to bed, she had to resist the temptation.

By the time she looked back, he was dialing another number, and she tensed. That would be the other wolves, the ones hunting her. Lucas glanced up and stopped short of pressing the call button on his phone.

"Are you alright?" The note of concern in his rough voice made her feel flustered as much as it reassured her, and all she could do in response was nod.

"You don't look it," he said, frowning. "This can't be easy for you. Would it help if you heard what we say? I can put the call on speaker – just don't say anything, okay?"

Emily didn't know if she'd even understand what they were about to discuss, but at least this way she'd know
something
. Being in the dark was terrifying.

"I – I think I'd like that," she said, sitting next to Lucas. His solid presence next to her was reassuring, powerful and strong. "If it's okay?"

"I wouldn't offer if I didn't mean it," he assured her, laying his phone on the table in front of them and switching the speaker on. He pressed the call button.

It rang for what seemed like forever, and Emily almost hoped that there would never be an answer.
Maybe they're away from the phone? Maybe this is the wrong number?
But just as Lucas shifted impatiently, the phone clicked and a strong, deep voice answered.

"What?" Whoever was speaking, his voice wasn't unpleasant. But it was scary, threatening, and the short, sharp response wasn't welcoming in the slightest. Shivering, Emily leaned into Lucas.

"My name is Lucas Barns," Lucas answered, confident and stern. "You are looking for Emily Shaw, and I am her bodyguard. Let's talk about how we can resolve this."

"You can give up the girl to us and walk away," the other man said with an audible sneer. "We'll pay you well."

Emily felt Lucas' body tense at that, heard the anger rising in his breath. Her hand closed on his, squeezing. If she'd had any doubts about being able to trust him, they would have vanished when she saw how angry he was at the very idea of betraying her.

"She's not for sale," he ground out. "And you saw what I can do, at the diner. So you know what you're up against. Be reasonable."

"I know you're formidable," the other man said, an edge to his voice now. "Bears make dangerous enemies. But I have a pack, and you are on your own."

"We can posture over the phone, or we can get this done," Lucas said, reining in his emotions. His voice sounded calm, confident, and reasonable, but the tension in his body told Emily a different story. The other man was lucky he wasn't in arm's reach of her bear. She wished that he were – and that she could see Lucas pound him flat, but she kept her peace and let the negotiations continue.

"If you're not offering her, what do you have to give us?"

"You don't want her," Lucas said. "I don't give a shit about you and your pack, or what happens to you when this is done. I just care about keeping my client safe."

Emily wondered whether the wolf heard the brief pause before the word 'client' as though Lucas had been about to call her something else. She smiled up at him, but if he noticed, he didn't show it. All his attention was focused on the call.

"What you need," Lucas continued, "is her laptop. It has all the evidence, and she has no intention of going to the police or any other authority. You can walk away from this, you and your pack, and she can walk away from what she saw. No one else needs to suffer."

The shifter on the other end of the line didn't answer right away. The seconds dragged on, and Emily held her breath, wondering if his next words would decide her fate. Finally, he broke the silence.

"You can promise that she won't make a fuss if we leave her be?"

Lucas relaxed. Only then did Emily realize that he had been holding his breath too. He looked at her, and she nodded, eager to be safe. "I can, and do. As long as you leave her alone for good."

"All right then," the other man said, "let's meet. Somewhere nice and private."

"Not so private that it's an ambush," Lucas warned. The other man laughed, a deep and unpleasant sound.

"All right, we'll meet in the woods. I know a place, it'll be just you and me away from prying eyes. And you'll be able to scout it to make sure my pack's not hiding if you're worried about them. Satisfied?"

"That works," Lucas agreed.

The details went over Emily's head – some coordinates that she didn't understand – but she followed enough to know they'd be meeting that night, deep in the woods. She shivered nervously, excitement building as she realized that this was it. The danger was about to be over. Lucas wrapped her in his arms as soon as he finished the call, kissing her on the top of her head and holding her tight.

"This is really the end of it?" she asked, not quite able to believe it.

"You bet," he replied, lifting her so he could plant a kiss on her lips. "They may talk tough, but they don't have any reason to break that deal. I'll meet their Alpha tonight, and tomorrow you can go back to your normal life."

That sent a stab of confused feelings through Emily.
My normal life? What's that? I don't have a job, I don't have much of anything anymore.

But those feelings could wait for the morning. Right now, she had a bear to feed, and thank for saving her. "I'm going to make some food," she told him. He'd want to be well fed for a hike in the forest.