Shifting Positions (21 page)

“True. We had to do something to maintain some sort of secrecy or the pack would have to leave and none of us want to do that. Woodcliff is our home. But back to Frank.”

“Yes.” She raised a shoulder in a half shrug.. “Frank is a known womanizer. As a kid I remember the rumors of other women. Since you weren’t here at the time, you wouldn’t know about that. Who knows how many illegitimate children he might have from willing or unwilling women? As alpha, he was considered untouchable and undeniable. Needless to say it was a very unpleasant time for the shifter race.”

At his continued frown her shoulders slumped. “I told you it was a stretch. If nothing else, why would Matt’s house be ransacked by a wolf two days after Dave’s murder? There’s got to be a connection there. Maybe Matt is the one who called Kyle to rat out Dave. If Kyle did kill Dave, as Frank said he did, maybe Kyle is now after Matt for sticking him in the position of a killer.”

“It’s all very circumstantial. I still don’t understand why Matt would make the phone call to begin with.”

“Retribution. Frank not only lied, he denied claiming Matt as his son because he can’t shift. What better way to get back at an arrogant shifter than to set his eldest son - who can shift -

up to take a fall?” He still looked unconvinced. “Fine. Answer me this then. Does Matt’s place carry the same scent as the spot Dave was killed?” At the tightening of his lips she nodded and began to tick ideas off her fingers. “With Matt missing and the violence left at his house, you can gain access to his home and cell phone records. You can do the same at the Kolter Lumber Yard because of Frank’s imprisonment and his claim that Kyle killed Dave.” Caleb’s eyes were flat in cop mode and he only grunted at her words. Undaunted, Tess continued. “When you talk to his mother again, you can bring up the question of Matt’s sire. You can also check with Frank and see if he ever had any sexual relations with her. As a trained investigator with an extra-sensitive nose, you’ll be able to tell if Frank is lying about knowing Mrs. West in a carnal sense
and
if Matt ever came to him claiming Frank was his father.” His eyes narrowed in suspicions, Caleb asked, “Just what did you go to college for? Not modeling?”

Tess laughed. “Of course not! That was a total fluke in my senior year. I was going for an accounting degree, with criminal justice as my minor. I’m not an idiot, you know.”

“I know you’re not an idiot,
m’lupa
, but why accounting?” Her smile was more than a little sheepish. “I’ve always gotten along better with numbers than people. Numbers don’t lie.”

“And the criminal justice?”

She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “Forensic accounting appealed to me. What can I say?”

Caleb reached for her and kissed her with a thoroughness that left her breathless. “I can say you’re brainy as well as beautiful and you can say that you love me.”

“I know,” she whispered, her heart swelling with love while her tummy fluttered with nerves. “I’m working up to it.”

With a murderer on the loose, one man missing and presumed dead and the owner of the largest employer of Woodcliff in jail, the communities – both shifter and non-shifter – were more than a little uneasy.

On Wednesday afternoon, Tess stepped out the back door of Dolen’s Café after ending her shift to see Caleb leaning against her truck. As it did every time she saw him, her heart gave a mighty leap and then fell back down in her chest to purr in pleasure. Not only did she love him, she was
in
love with him, and every passing day the feeling grew..

It went deeper than biology or chemistry. She loved his brain, his strength, his determination, his openness. She adored the way the corners of his eyes crinkled when he smiled.

And most of all, she loved the way he loved her.

Tell him
. A little voice whispered in her head.

Unnerved, she nearly faltered in her steps.
I will. I just need a few more days to get used
to the feeling. This is a big step for me.

The voice snorted at the lame excuse.
A week ago you were ready to take giant leaps in
your life and now you’re faltering? Coward. Besides, if he never hears the words, you’ll hurt
him. Every day for the rest of his life, you’ll hurt him. How would you feel if the situation was
reversed?

Knowing how true that statement was, Tess plodded through the thin layer of snow with a sense of determination. She was not going to give in to her fears any longer. Caleb loved her and she loved him. That emotion was real, undeniable and needed to be said. Everything else would, hopefully, fall into place..

As she stood in front of Caleb, she opened her mouth to tell him she loved him, but didn’t have a chance.

“New boots?” he asked.

She automatically glanced down at the hiking boots. “Yep. I’m re-adjusting to life in the mountains.”

He grinned and reached out to clasp her hands, drawing her close. His lips brushed hers.

“And you do it beautifully.” He wrapped his arms around her waist and brought her tight until they were chest to chest and groin to groin. She slipped her arms around his neck and wiggled against his erection. A frustrated growl rumbled in his throat. “Witch.” Her laugh transformed into a happy sigh when he dropped his head to nuzzle her neck, specifically where his mark lay. “I miss you,” he said between urgent open-mouthed kisses along her skin. “I want you.”

He pulled far enough back that his hot, hungry gaze bored into hers. “I love you,” he whispered against her lips a second before he slanted his mouth over hers. She opened automatically, craving his taste.

One hand cupped her bottom, pressing her tight as he rocked his hips, his rigid cock rubbing at the notch between her thighs.

She felt herself begin a downward slide into a pool of hungry fire, the greedy flames already licking at her, sucking her in. She was eager to be taken, swallowed whole and devoured.

With a small whimper she clung to him, matching his ravenous kiss, thrusting her tongue in deep, mimicking the way she wanted him to thrust into her.

“Ahem.” The voice was low, but so close and authoritative that she jerked like a naughty child caught with her hand in the cookie jar. Caleb grinned sheepishly over her shoulder. “Sorry, Dean. I got carried away.” He looked back at Tess and pressed a hard kiss to her lips. “I love getting carried away.”

Embarrassed at being caught necking in the parking lot, Tess shimmied until Caleb finally let her free with a chuckle. She spun around…and just as quickly stepped back towards Caleb.

This was Dean? The pack’s alpha? And her little sister’s lust interest?

I don’t think so.

The man was too…too…dangerous. His thick hair, nearly midnight black, was held back in a low ponytail, throwing his lean face into taut relief. His full lips would have seemed feminine if not for the chiseled jaw and sharp cheekbones. She was nearly the same height which probably put the alpha at around six feet. But it wasn’t the lean physique that gave her pause, it was his eyes. They were a shockingly clear emerald green that somehow both mesmerized and seemed to pierce into her very soul as if searching out every deep, dark secret. Predatory energy radiated from his body, raising her hackles as if she sensed danger.

This man was a hunter, a stalker, a killer.

Even though he stood before her calmly, one eyebrow arched in question to her obvious perusal, this was one man she would not want to meet in a dark alley. Or in a crowded park in the middle of the day surrounded by soldiers with machine guns. There was no way in
hell
she’d allow Kaylie within ten feet of this man.

Caleb’s hand came up to rest on her shoulder. “Tess, this is our alpha, Dean Kinigos.

Dean, my mate, Tess Gentry.”

Dean bowed his head politely, keeping his hands in the pockets of his jeans. “It’s a pleasure to meet you Ms. Gentry.”

His voice was a low rasp that tingled rather than grated while a hint of the Deep South flowed over her like thick honey. The odd mix soothed even as it warned. She blew out a tense breath. “Likewise.”

Caleb chuckled over her head. “Don’t let his looks fool you. He’s only dangerous when he needs to be. Otherwise he’s a pussycat.”

The faintest of smiles touched the alpha’s mouth. “Please don’t let that get around. It’s hard enough trying to control over a hundred mongrels as it is.”

“I’m sure,” she murmured, captivated by those wicked eyes.

“Dean’s buying the lumber company.”

“Oh, well, congratulations.”

“Thank you. I am, however, in need of some assistance. Though I know the industry, I don’t have a lot of time to go through the books and conduct a thorough examination of past practices versus what changes might need to take place.” He tilted his head. “I don’t suppose you know of someone who is organized, level-headed, trust-worthy, and in need of a job?”

“Not off-hand, no. Sorry.” Dean raised a brow at Caleb who then pinched her ass. “Oh!

Are you asking if I’m interested?”

“Well,” Caleb shrugged, “Ruth is champing at the bit to return to work on Monday.

Granted, it’ll be part-time until she’s fully recovered, but I know you’ve been wondering what to do when that happens. I thought if you were interested, maybe you could help Dean out.”

“I..I..” Baffled, she glanced from one man to the other.

Dean grinned self-consciously and she went shock-still. Holy hell. Now she understood her sister’s interest. His smile altered his whole face, changing his appearance from borderline threatening to hot and handsome. Those intense eyes turned warm and seemed to glow with an inner light and she felt an instant desire to reciprocate with a smile of her own.

“I apologize, Tess. We shouldn’t have tag-teamed you like this, but I didn’t think it appropriate to come to you alone as you don’t know me.”

She tilted her head as if to consider the request. Her inner wolf gave her a thumb’s up, or was that a paw up? Caleb obviously liked and trusted his alpha or he never would have agreed to this impromptu meeting. Her eyes narrowed. Besides, if she stayed close, she could keep an eye on him and keep her sister away until she made a final decision about Woodcliff’s alpha. “I won’t be able to start for another two weeks.”

Caleb kissed the back of her head as if in approval or appreciation. Either one worked for her.

“Excellent,” Dean flashed another killer grin. “Here’s my number. Give me a call when you’re ready to start.” He looked pointedly at Caleb. “We need to go. Thank you, Tess,” he added before heading off to a large black truck.

Tess stuffed the little white card in her pocket and turned to Caleb. “Go?” Caleb frowned, not quite meeting her eyes. “I’ll tell you later.”

“Caleb?” she implored.

He blew out a breath. “The pack leaders held a meeting on Monday to discuss Frank Kolter’s actions and decide his fate.”

At her murmured, “Oh,” he suddenly snagged her to him and slanted his mouth over hers.

The kiss was hot, wild and very brief. “When can I have you again?” She grinned, feeling very wanted. “How about tonight?”

He growled low and thick. “Thank God.” His hands ran repeatedly over her hips and back as if he couldn’t drag himself away. “Eat well. We have a lot of time to make up for.” Then he kissed her one last time.

Tess watched him drive away realizing he’d never told her Frank’s fate. But as the daughter of a former pack alpha, she knew. Justice in the packs was harsh and swift and in the case of an insane or dangerous shifter, resulted in death.

Caleb would probably be upset afterward. Not that he’d disagree with the sentencing, but because a life would be taken. So maybe she would tell him tonight. Tell him what was in her heart, with her words and her body.

She got in her truck and tried it out. “I love you, Caleb.” God, it was so easy. The words just melted from her lips. And she knew it was right because she suddenly felt light and free, as if a huge weight had been lifted off her chest.

Intent on telling her mom her feelings for Caleb, Tess rushed through the house, automatically locking the door behind her, and raced up the stairs. Later she would berate herself for her distraction. Otherwise, what she saw when she walked into Ruth’s room wouldn’t have come as a shock. But then again, when a man you dated in high school held a gun to your mother’s temple, no amount of preparation would be enough.

“You’re late,” Matt said.

Tess instantly flicked her eyes to her mom, noting that while, yes, she was scared, she was otherwise unharmed. Then she swung her gaze to Matt. By his ragged appearance he’d obviously been in hiding for several days. His jaw and cheeks were unshaven, his eyes were jittery and bloodshot, his complexion pale, and the hand holding the gun wavered slightly. The smell of stale male sweat and body odor crawled up her nose, making her want to gag. He probably hadn’t eaten or slept much since Saturday. All in all, Matt West was a man flirting with the edge of sanity.

She relaxed her jaw, fixing her expression into a nonchalant coolness she did not feel.

“What are you doing, Matt?”

He gestured with the gun. “What the hell does it look like I’m doing?” Tess raised a brow. “Obviously you have a gun pointed at my mother’s head. Is there a reason for your actions?”

He sneered. “Don’t you dare get all uppity on me.”

“I’m not getting uppity, Matt. I’m trying to remain calm. I would like to understand why you came here and took my mother hostage.”

Matt’s throat moved. “I need protection.”

Tess glanced at her mom, who gave her a little shrug, then back to Matt. Even with a shifter’s strength and speed, she’d never make it across the room before Matt fired. The gun was too close to her mom to even try it. But maybe if she could get that weapon pointed in a different direction…

She took a careful step in the room and saw in her peripheral her mom’s face change to dawning horror. “Tess…”

Tess kept her eyes firmly on Matt. “Who do you need protection from?” Matt wiped his mouth with the sleeved of his free arm. “That fucking wolf.”