Shifter Wars (21 page)

“Nothing! My phone was sitting on the bench, and he was pawing it.”

“He was what?” C.J. asked incredulously.

“He was hitting the screen with his paws. He’ll scratch it up with those claws.”

C.J. laughed. “Next you’ll tell us he was trying to make a call.”

I walked over and picked up Booger. “He probably saw something flash on the screen. I bought him one of those laser light toys. He loves it. He would chase the thing for hours if I let him.” I walked toward the door. “Let’s go home,
Sparky
. You’ve caused enough trouble for today.”

Chapter 26

I scowled in disgust at Matthew, who stretched his long legs out in front of him like a proud peacock. He was seated in the back of the van while the rest of the team waited for his intel.

I glared at him. “What were you trying to do in there with the phone?”

“I was trying to see who he called last.”

“Why?” I asked.

“He was talking to someone. I think it was the same person he called Friday night.”

Misha spoke up from the front seat. “Did you get a number?”

“Yep.”

“It won’t help us if it’s one of those throwaway phones,” I argued.

Matthew tipped his head. “I’m not sure these guys are that smart. Ken uses his own phone, at least.”

Misha grabbed a pad of paper. “Give me the number. Do you know Ken’s number too?”

“No, didn’t look for it.”

“His number would probably be even better to have. I could track his activity and see who he’s calling regularly.”

Matthew rattled off the other phone number and then folded his legs in, sitting up. “I can try to take a look at his phone again tomorrow.”

“No way.” I answered. “You can’t afford to get caught again. If Ken is in league with these poachers, he wouldn’t have to be a rocket scientist to figure out something isn’t normal with you. I’ll take a look around the office for his number. I’m sure Bruce has a contact list somewhere.”

Jean Luc chimed in. “Did you overhear anything important?”

Matthew shrugged. “No specific plans like on Friday. He definitely doesn’t like Kyle, though. I can’t repeat what he said without getting my mouth washed out with soap. Otherwise he rambled on about waiting for—” Matthew did finger quotes “—
the call
. Whatever that means.”

“I think it means Ken isn’t calling the shots. Someone else is, and it could be the same person who tried to kill Griffin.” I turned to Misha. “Were you able to research shifter succession rules today?”

“Yeah. They’re not as convoluted as vamp rules, but they come pretty close.”

“What did you find out?”

“That under normal circumstances, Tim would be the leader.”

I frowned. “Even though he wasn’t born before William died?”

Misha nodded. “Griffin would have been in charge until Tim came of age, and then Tim would have taken over the pack.”

“Then why didn’t he?”

“I don’t know.” Misha typed on his tablet. “According to shifter law, the only reason the direct descendants would not inherit the title would be under two circumstances. William would have to abdicate, or the ruling Council would have to remove him.”

“He would have had to do something pretty horrendous to be removed.” I looked at Matthew, who wouldn’t meet my eye. “Matthew. Do you have any insight into this?”

He squirmed in his seat. “Nothing concrete. I really can’t talk about it.”

“What if it’s relevant to the case?” I pushed. “Could this secret be the reason why someone is trying to kill Griffin?”

Matthew sighed. “You didn’t hear this from me, okay?” I turned an imaginary key in front of my lips and he continued. “I’ve heard a couple of rumors over the years. One is that Griffin took over the role after William’s death and refused to relinquish it when it was time for Tim to take over. Supposedly, he holds something over Tim’s head which keeps him from contesting Griffin’s leadership.” He paused.

“And the other rumor?” I asked.

“That Griffin had William killed so he could take over the pack.”

I straightened. “I don’t believe it.”

Matthew held up his hands in surrender. “I’m not saying I believe them, either. Whatever happened, only Griffin and the Shifter Council know.”

I turned to Jason. “Can you drive me to Griffin’s? I need to fill him in on what we found out today.” And ask him some questions about the rumors.

* * *

While Jason and I drove to the estate, I sat quietly, watching the swirling snow. It hit the truck window in a frantic pattern, causing a kaleidoscope effect. My thoughts were as disjointed as the streaks on the window. Who was after Griffin? Poachers looking for payback for Mark Brennan’s death? Or members of the pack looking to avenge William’s death? Or could it be something else altogether? Jason interrupted my mental exercises.

“Stop scrunching your face up, Kyle. It’s not attractive.”

“Thanks.”

He cleared his throat. “Do you want to talk about it?”

“There isn’t much to talk about.”

“Do you believe Griffin killed his brother to take over the throne?”

I blew out the breath I’d been holding. “No.”

“Then it’s all that matters.”

“When did you become so Zen?”

“In the last three years, my world has been turned upside down. I’ve discovered humans are not alone on this planet. Then I thought all demons and vamps were trying to wipe us off the face of the earth. Now my best friends include a Shamat demon who is addicted to TV shows and a beautiful Succubus demon who keeps me guessing every second of every day. I think being Zen is mandatory. Either that, or I’d go crazy.”

“So what do you think I should do?”

“Listen to your feelings for Griffin.”

“Oh, no. Not you, too! This isn’t about my feelings. It can’t be.”

Jason parked the truck in Griffin’s driveway. “Of course this is about your feelings. You could have talked to him on the phone about what we discussed today. It’s okay to admit you want to check on him. You’re allowed to care about someone else, Kyle.”

“You’re a great man, Jason Watson. I had my doubts when we met. Of course, you were trying to run me over with your truck at the time, but you’ve surprised me yet again.”

“I’ve had some great teachers lately.”

“I know of a certain doctor who is growing quite attached to you. Take your own advice and tell her how you feel.”

Jason leaned over me and opened my door. “Don’t make me carry you over my shoulder into the house, woman!”

I grabbed his face and kissed him on the lips. “You are the best fake boyfriend I’ve ever had. Now go ask your woman out on a date!”

He laughed and hugged me. He let me go and I scrambled out of the car. I stopped short when I caught sight of Griffin in the window staring at me. I walked slowly to the door and opened it, not bothering to knock.

I stepped into the foyer and shut the door. Griffin’s eyes narrowed on me, and his nostrils flared slightly. “Do you have any news?”

So this was how it was going to play out. “How are you feeling?”

“Better.”

And he did look much better. He was vertical for one thing, and his coloring was almost back to normal. But when he stepped toward me, he was still favoring one side.

I shucked off my coat and hung it in the hall closet. “Why don’t we go sit somewhere and I can fill you in?”

He led me to his living room. The fire in the hearth was low, but the room was still toasty warm, and I sank gratefully onto the couch. Griffin sat down more slowly. I almost reached up to help him, but changed my mind. It would not go over well.

Once he was settled, I launched into what we’d found out since the last time he and I had talked. He stayed quiet throughout my report, and when I finished he still didn’t speak. I looked into his eyes and smiled. He didn’t smile back.

Finally he spoke. “What was Jason doing here?”

“Put down your club, Conan the Barbarian. Jason and I are friends. The kiss meant nothing.”

He cocked his head to the side. “I know you’re friends. I can smell him on you. He cares for you. Wants to protect you, but doesn’t want you.”

I gaped at him. “If you know, then why are you…?”

“Holding back with you?”

“Yes!”

“Because I can smell your uncertainty, your hesitation. I’ll not rush you. If you still need time to get over Dalton, I can wait.”

“Thank you.” The scary thing was, I didn’t know if the hesitation he smelled was because of Dalton or because deep down I was afraid I didn’t know Griffin as well as I thought I did. “I need to ask you something.”

“What?”

“Why are you the leader of the pack?”

He frowned slightly. “I told you already. William died, and I took over in his place.”

“I know, but according to shifter law, once Tim reached adulthood, he would have taken over the title.”

He kept studying his hands. “It’s complicated.”

“Did William abdicate the throne, so to speak?”

Griffin struggled to his feet. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Or did the Council remove him and his descendants from power?”

“Why is any of this relevant?” he demanded.

“Because it may be why someone is trying to kill you!”

“No one outside the Council knows the truth, and that’s how it will remain.”

“You’re wrong to keep it from your pack. Secrets make people create their own version of what happened, and it’s oftentimes way worse than the truth.”

“I’m not worrying about these rumors. Why should you?”

“Because I care, damn it!” I jumped up and stood in front of him. “Did you know there are rumors you killed your brother to take over the pack? If someone truly believes it, it could be the justification they’re using to come after you.”

He flinched as if I had slapped him. “Do you believe this?”

“No, but I don’t understand why you won’t tell everyone the truth and dispel the rumors once and for all.”

“I don’t need to justify something which happened before you were even born. It’s a shifter matter.”

I was about to turn away but stopped myself. Our relationship was becoming ridiculously dysfunctional. One or the other of us was pissed at all times. That wasn’t going to cut it with me anymore.

“It’s not going to work this time.”

“What?” he demanded.

“You acting high and mighty and me getting pissed off so I’ll stomp out of here. We have to stop dancing around each other.”

He stared at me in confusion. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

I paused before speaking. “It’s true I have been hesitant with you because of my past. But I think you’re just as hesitant. Here’s the thing. I don’t know where this is going between us. There are no guarantees. With humans, we don’t get the luxury of smelling emotions. So with me, things aren’t going to be cut and dried. I’m not in the mood for games anymore, Griffin.”

His pupils glowed amber. “I’m not either. Come here, and I’ll prove it to you.”

So it was decision time. If I was going to walk my talk…I took a step toward him.

His eyes softened, and he reached up and ran his fingers along my hairline and down my cheek. He then brushed his thumb lightly over my lips in a more than sensual motion, before leaning forward and kissing me ever so lightly. His lips teased mine, brushing over my mouth, feather-light, before backing away, his eyes taking in my reaction.

I let out a shaky breath, and he smiled. His tentative kiss was the perfect response to my mixed emotions. He leaned forward and rested his mouth next to my ear and whispered, “I have wanted to taste you since the first time I saw you sitting in the tree house with Trina.”

I smiled. So much for taking it slow. His hands framed my face, and he kissed my closed eyelids, and then his kisses ran along the side of my face. He nipped my earlobe, and my nerves went
kablooey
, tingling from my ear down to my toes. He then made his way to my mouth again, and his tongue slipped in. Not to be outdone, I added my tongue to the equation.

He growled. I wrapped my arms around him in response, and he flinched. I backed away quickly.

“Did I hurt you?”

“No, I’m fine.”

“I think we need to slow down before this goes too far. You’re not up for it.”

He smirked.

I didn’t dare look down. “Okay, bad choice of words. You need to recuperate a few more days before we explore this further.”

He groaned in what I hoped was frustration and not pain. “What if you let
me
explore for a while?”

I held up a palm. “Now you’re begging, and it doesn’t become the leader of the shifter nation to beg.”

* * *

I lay in bed—alone—and thought about my most recent encounter with Griffin. I was relieved we had not taken our initial exploration beyond kissing. Which in itself was interesting, since I had never had trouble with relationships. Actually, if I was honest with myself, I had never had trouble with sex; relationships left me quaking with fear. And unless I was mistaken, that was where Griffin and I were headed.