Page 16 of Caught Bear Handed (Sawtooth Security #3)

I took a deep breath, desperately trying to ground myself in the reality of the situation.

We were on an undercover mission, not a joy ride to the sex club.

A musky scent permeated my nostrils, and I opened my eyes to see Beau’s knuckles tighten on the steering wheel, like we were sharing the same fantasy.

Focus. I was already rattled, and this wig cap was making me overheat. It didn’t take me long to forget the uncomfortable realities of being in character.

“Whoa.” I’d seen The Stepchild on TV, and of course, listened to the Sawtooth Security crew repeatedly warn me about how absolutely huge this party was, but I’d completely failed to imagine the actual scope of this production.

I’d been picturing backyard potluck. Maybe a quaint gathering on a town green. Ha. This was like a festival. Complete with a Ferris wheel and a giant outdoor stage.

I let out a low whistle. “Sawtooth Forest knows how to party.”

“We do,” Beau said proudly. “This is a great community. It wasn’t always like this.

The wolf pack are more like phoenixes, and they rose from the ashes.

They’d been divided into haves and have-nots, and the good guys were able to reclaim what was rightfully theirs.

Look how they’ve brought everyone together. ”

“It looks magical.” And intimidating. But I didn’t want Beau to think I was having doubts. I wanted to bust these bad guys more than anything.

You want your life back? my wolf asked.

I glanced over at Beau, who was smiling hopefully—and a little apprehensively.

“Ready to introduce yourself to Sawtooth Forest as my girlfriend Gina?” he asked.

I swallowed hard and nodded. “Will I run into any of your exes?”

It took him a moment to shake his head. “Haven’t been serious with anyone since I got here.”

“Let me rephrase that. What about people you’ve brought to Red Heaven?”

“They know the rules of the game.” His voice was full rumble, but he didn’t wait for me to answer before he got out of the truck. Before I had a chance to move, he was on the passenger’s side, opening my door.

“So Beau the boyfriend is a gentleman,” I teased as I slid out of the cab and took his free hand. He’d tucked his crock pot full of chili under his other arm.

“In the streets,” he said. “All bear in the places it counts most.”

My lips parted, but people were already calling to him, and he waved. No doubt this bear was an extrovert, because his energy had changed.

Which made me wonder if I was the only one in full character today. We’d worked hard on my story and the origin story of our relationship. It was always assumed that Beau would simply be Beau. He had to be in order for us to pull this off.

But I was already seeing a different side of him.

Once we were out of the parking lot, I started to get the lay of the land. There were rows of tents set up like a farmer’s market and picnic tables in between. Most were full with families and friends, everyone with heaping plates.

Trucks and smoking grills lined the perimeter, and people carried more food in the silver catering trays to the tents.

Beau furrowed his brow as he took in the scene and then headed with purpose to the tent marked with the Sawtooth Volunteer Firefighters’ logo.

“Hey! There he is! Back from his big job.” Two guys that I was pretty sure were wolf shifters greeted Beau at the firefighters’ tent with those complicated man handshakes. Others were behind the table, overseeing the distribution of food. “And you didn’t come alone.”

Beau tensed, just for a moment. But if these guys were shifters, they wouldn’t have missed it, either.

“Nope, I sure didn’t.” Beau beamed. He’d make a good actor, gaining his composure quickly. “Gina, this is Baron and Dallas Channing. They’re Sawtooth pack wolves, and we volunteer on the fire department together.”

“Hey! So nice to meet you!” My greeting felt overly bubbly, but every character felt like wearing clothes that didn’t fit until I found my groove. “I’ve got to tell you boys that I’ve been up all night with this one perfecting his chili recipe. It’s so good. Where’s the competition table?”

Baron raised a brow. “After all that, you still managed to make chili.”

“Once I make a promise, I don’t break it.” He motioned to the crock pot. “I should probably get this over there.”

“There’s plenty of time for that.” Dallas waved his hand. “I want to hear all about how you met your new friend.”

They’re not testing you, my wolf said. They’re genuinely happy for Beau.

“I met him right as he completed his assignment. Of course, it was top secret, and even if I knew the details, I wouldn’t be able to share them with you.

And when he said he was coming to celebrate Independence Day here, I had to check it out.

I’m such a fan of The Real Werewives , I was hoping maybe I’d meet a few.

Wait.” I inspected my new friends closely. “You two weren’t on the show, right?”

“We weren’t, but we’ve got good news for you.” Baron pointed toward a giant stage. “The Werewives are doing on-the-spot interviews. It’s not confirmed whether or not they’re doing a new season.”

“Gina doesn’t need to go on a reality show to find her mate.” Beau wrapped his free arm around me, and there was a full body bear rumble in progress.

“I can still go fan girl.” I faked a pout toward Beau and then turned back to my new friends and brightened. “Are any of the former contestants here?”

“Everyone is here,” Dallas assured me. “The Werewives aren’t the only celebrities here. Did you know that Amelia from The Wolf’s Moon is Sawtooth pack?”

“No!” I clasped my hand to my mouth. “I freaking love that show. Is she actually here?”

Baron chuckled. “No wonder the two of you get along. I’m sure you know this guy loves it too.”

“He’s got a thing for…never mind.” Dallas grinned.

“Careful,” either Barrett or Bellamy growled loudly into my earpiece. “Put an end to the conversation.”

Beau tensed, but if the brothers Channing noticed or heard the message, they didn’t let on.

I touched Beau’s arm. “Can we go find the Werewives?”

“We should get that chili over to the table before the judging starts,” Baron said. “You did all that work, and I’d love to see the Fire Department place in the competition. Bragging rights are a big deal.”

“Where’s the tent?” Beau asked.

“At the end of the row.” Baron motioned us in the right direction.

“Fuck,” Beau growled as we walked away from his fellow volunteers. “This is harder than I thought.”

“I didn’t know you were back.” Someone else approached before I had a chance to answer. Definitely a bear. His attention quickly turned to me, and he offered his hand. “I’m Brad, since this guy hasn’t introduced us.”

“Gina.” I registered Beau’s growl, but I kept going. “I’ve heard about you.”

“All good things, I hope.” Brad beamed.

“Just that Beau does all the work and you take the credit.” I laughed.

Brad feigned shock, gasping, and put his hand to his chest. He was slightly older than Beau, taller and lankier. “And I was just about to tell Beau how much I missed him.”

“Of course you did. You had to do all the work.” Beau snickered. “What happened while I was gone?”

Brad cautioned a glance at me. “We’ve been busy, and making progress. Didn’t think the job was done.”

Interesting. Brad didn’t know Beau’s assignment, or he was playing the part. We’d have to debrief…as soon as possible. With all these people here, it would be really easy to lose control of the situation.

Beau gave him a smug smile. “Not my fault if the bosses don’t tell you the important stuff.”

“They don’t have to,” Brad said with a growl. “I’m busy doing it.”

“Okay, no need for a bear brawl.” I held my hands up. These two definitely had a rivalry going, and the last thing I wanted to do was give Brad any ammunition to blow our cover. I didn’t think he’d do it maliciously, but he would do it in the spirit of competition. “I’d love to find the Werewives.”

“I’m actually glad I found you,” Brad said. “Barrett’s looking for you.”

“Let’s go,” I said. I’d find Amelia later.

“Just Beau,” Brad clarified. “No offense, but this case is chock-full of classified information. It will just take a minute, and then you’ll have this guy all to yourself.”

I failed to school my face before my mouth dropped. I looked at Beau, whose frustration rolled off him in waves.

Barrett and Bellamy had been so meticulous about the details. Sure, some had been forgotten. There were a lot of things that we took for granted until we actually had to walk in a character’s shoes. But there was no way Brad was completely cut out of this plan.

Something was up. My wolf’s hackles rose.

“I’ll catch up to you,” Beau said, catching me off guard and kissing my cheek. “I’ll meet you by the chili tent.”

“Are you sure?” I asked, trying to hide my disappointment he didn’t stand up to Brad. Which wasn’t fair. Just because we’d spent every waking moment together for the last couple of weeks didn’t mean I knew everything about Beau’s job.

It didn’t mean I knew everything about this bear.

“Yeah.” He squeezed my hand. “I’ll catch up with you as soon as I’m done.”

He and Brad turned and walked toward the parking lot, and I took a deep breath, getting my bearings. The place was packed, and I’d been almost nowhere but the cabin for a couple weeks.

Before that, my life had been carefully curated to the confines of set.

It really was another world, where everything was handled and decided for us.

And now, in the crowds of pack and families with plates full of food, laughing as they celebrated the holiday, I felt like I’d landed on another planet.

The crowd cheered as the band took the stage. A guitar solo sliced into the applause and the band launched into an eighties hard rock anthem. It fit the vibe perfectly.