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Chapter Four

Barrett

I held onto Tegan way longer than what could be considered professional. She’d barely recovered from getting swept away from that sham of a wedding when I put her in this tiny helicopter. I wouldn’t admit the thing scared me too.

It felt good to have a woman in my arms again. Not that this was the time to indulge, but Tegan wasn’t letting me go, either. She needed this as much as I did. I couldn’t imagine what she’d been through on that farce of a show, being that close to Silverclaw.

More importantly, what made her so important to him that he wanted to keep her under his claw?

Her body was soft and curvy, but strong, and she smelled lightly of vanilla and citrus. She was still in her wedding gown, which had gotten dirty during our adventure. There was a smudge of dust on her cheek that I was dying to wipe away, but I’d already been too familiar with her. If I was gonna get her to take my security company seriously, I would have to start acting professionally. But she didn’t seem like the type of woman who’d let anyone see her looking less than perfect.

I forced myself to peel away from her.

The copter landed on the outskirts of Granger Falls. It was near our office, and I’d been able to secure a last minute, open-ended cabin rental. Until I could get to the bottom of what Tegan knew about Silverclaw’s business practices, I had no sense of how long I’d be on this case. It was possible that she would want to start her life completely over, and this was a place she could form some strong pack ties if she decided to stay here.

An SUV waited for us. No angry shifters on our tail on this end of the journey.

I climbed into the back seat with Tegan. Bellamy was once again behind the wheel.

“You’re quiet,” I said, mostly because I wanted to get out of my head. To stop thinking about how good this woman smelled. What my own mating ceremony had been like. How much I missed Renee and Natalie.

“I think I’ve hit the second stage of shock. Which happens to also be shock.” She turned to me briefly, grinning, but her gaze darted back to the window. “Wait, are we in Granger Falls?”

Fuck. So much for protecting her here if she could figure out where we were immediately. The Sawtooth pack was strong and had already fought off a threat similar to Silverclaw’s plan. I’d only had a chance to do quick research, but Gideon didn’t have any obvious dealings here.

But if he did, that could be why Tegan knew where we were.

There was a possibility she was playing us, too, and still working for Silverclaw.

“You’re familiar with it?” I played it cool, even though it was the furthest thing from cool if I unwittingly put her in more danger.

Damn. I needed to get back on my A-game. I’d been lucky with the clients I’d had since Renee passed away. They’d been cut and dry cases. I could’ve done them in my sleep, and some of my critics could say that I did. This case needed my full attention. Too much was on the line for me to miss even one detail.

“Yeah, The Real Werewives shot one of their seasons here. The town seemed so cute.” Her demeanor changed, shoulders relaxed, expression softened.

“Didn’t realize you were so into reality shows.”

“It sounds like I’m an obsessed fan, doesn’t it?” She laughed. “I fell in love with the show, and thought that going on one like it would be the best way to expose Gideon.”

“That’s how you wound up on Moonlight Mates ?” The shows didn’t have any affiliation with each other. Some of The Real Werewives contestants and producers still lived in town, so at least I was able to confirm that in the short amount of time I’d had to prepare for the job.

“It wasn’t my first choice. I really wanted to be a Werewife, but I got fired and, I’m not too proud to admit, a little desperate. The waiting list for The Real Werewives is years long, if they even film any more seasons. Moonlight Mates wanted me.” She sighed. “Now I know why.”

“Not sure I’m getting the connection of a dating show and bringing Gideon to justice,” I said as Bellamy turned down the main road through the town. It was always bustling with activity, and I thanked the moon that no one paid any mind to the SUV with the darkened windows rolling through. The fewer people who knew we were here, the better.

“I thought the show would be a shifter-friendly platform where I could bring light to what was happening to the packs that made agreements with Wild Adventures.” She made air quotes for the word agreements. “And use the prize money to try to throw a monkey wrench into Gideon’s plans.”

“Didn’t realize reality shows paid so well.”

“They don’t. I was na?ve.” She let out a defeated chuckle. “I was desperate to stop him. My plan didn’t work, but Gideon’s did. And now we’re here.”

“Are you a shifter?” Didn’t think she was, but I needed to make sure.

She shook her head.

“But you care enough about what happens to their land that you’d put yourself on a shifter dating show to stop them?” I had to understand her motivation. “I guess I still don’t get the connection.”

“These shows make me forget about my own less-than-exciting life, and I let my imagination run wild. The people who are on them seem to change their whole lives. So in addition to revenge, I was looking for some excitement. Instead, I got the kind I didn’t want.” Her gaze was once again fixed on the town passing us by. “These pack villages always have such a unique heartbeat. Is this where your clan lives?”

“No.”

Bellamy’s eyes briefly met mine via the rearview mirror. He knew why I didn’t say more. Tegan might not notice the nod he gave me before turning onto the road that led to the cabin I’d rented for us on the Channing Reserve.

It was owned by the local pack alpha. Wolves were all around us. I didn’t anticipate needing any backup, beyond what Bellamy could provide, because I planned to keep Tegan tucked away until it was safe for her to emerge.

“This is the place,” Bellamy said as he slowed to a stop. “Need help with anything?”

“Get some rest,” I said as I opened the door to the SUV. “You did good today.”

“See you later, boss.” He winked. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

I growled, more at myself than him. His bear must’ve been picking up on mine, but if my thoughts were that fucking obvious, it was only a matter of time before Tegan figured them out too.

I held out my hand to help her out of the backseat. She looked so out of place on this farmland in her lacy, ruined gown.

“What happens now?” Her eyes were wide, with her makeup smudged underneath them.

“We stay here until we figure out what we want our next move to be.”

She raised a brow. “Like you and me? Together?”

Great. She was probably on to me too.

I nodded. “You hired a bodyguard. I’m here to protect you.”

“Is this your house?”

My bear was thinking all sorts of inappropriate thoughts about bringing her home. Making the house less empty. He was out of his ever-loving mind if he thought I was ever going to do that. This was just a job.

And I needed to start acting like it.

No matter how delectable my client was. She was paying for a service, and I planned to deliver.

I can think of a few ways you could make good on your promise…

Shut up, bear.

“No. I rented it just for this job.” I punched in the code that unlocked the door.

It was a one room cabin, with a sitting area, kitchenette, and one bed.

I did not think this through.