Page 8

L ily

I sat on the cold metal table while Creeg dabbed a cotton ball soaked in peroxide onto my head wound before applying the antibiotic ointment. It stung a little, but I still considered myself lucky. The car accident could’ve turned out much worse. He placed a bandage over the area and stepped back, his brows scrunching together. I realized just how much he resembled Kai. Only difference was, Creeg didn’t set my blood on fire with a mere touch. I took a deep breath and asked, “Well, what do you think? Will I live?”

He grinned. “You will, but after your trip into town, come straight here and I’ll change the bandage and use a little more ointment.”

I started to speak, but the door swung open, Kai standing on the other side. He glared at Creeg, then strode across the room and cupped my face in his palm. “Are you well?”

His concern went straight through me, threatening to turn me into a puddle of goo. “All good.” I offered Creeg a smile. “Your brother took good care of me.”

Kai’s gaze landed on Creeg. “Did you, now?”

Creeg chuckled and cleaned up the used swabs. “A little peroxide and some antibiotic. I’ll need to see her when you two get back as well. I want to change that dressing and put more antibiotics on it.” He pointed toward my forehead. “It’s inflamed, but there’s no blood or pus so that’s good.”

Kai’s gaze softened as he watched me. “Does it hurt? Are you certain you shouldn’t rest?”

I rolled my eyes and scooted off the table. “Your brother just told you I’m fine. Besides, I seriously need to replace my phone.”

Kai ran a hand through his hair. “Fine, but if it starts to hurt, you’ll tell me.”

“Sure,” I lied, smiling up at him.

He rolled his eyes. “You could at least try to look sincere.” He took my hand and we headed out of the room. When we reached the upstairs landing, he said, “You’ll need your coat. The temperature dropped below thirty today.”

I nodded. “Be right back.” I jogged up the stairs to my room and grabbed my puffer coat from the suitcase, then slipped it on before heading back down to Kai. He wore a leather jacket and oh Lord he looked yummy in it. His hair was a wild mess around his shoulders and he wore a pair of black jeans and work boots.

When I got within a few feet of him, Kai smiled. “You look very pretty in blue.”

I could feel the blush filling my cheeks and wanted to kick myself for the telltale reaction. “Thank you.”

He put an arm around my back and headed for the front door. When we reached the porch, there was a black SUV sitting in the driveway with the engine running. “Is that yours?”

“Yeah. I came out early and started it up so it’d be warm.”

Geez, I’d never met anyone so thoughtful. “That was very sweet, Kai. Thank you.”

He grinned at me and held the passenger side door open for me. “I’d be a terrible chauffeur if I let you freeze to death.”

I laughed and got in, then stared over at him. “First you rescue me, then you give me a place to stay, now a chauffeur. A girl could get used to being spoiled like this.”

“Good, then my plan is working,” he murmured as he winked and shut the door. I watched him jog around to the driver’s side, then get in behind the wheel. He put the vehicle in gear, then took off down a long gravel driveway. Once we were on the road, Kai glanced over at me long enough to say, “That café I told you about is right across the street from a shop that sells cell phones. I believe they carry the same type as yours.”

I reached into my purse and pulled it out. “I wasn’t able to read the texts I got last night,” I muttered, thinking of my lovely family. “But I did listen to a voicemail from my mom. Unfortunately.”

Kai stiffened, his hands clenching the steering wheel tighter. “Your mom called you?”

I sighed and dropped my phone back into my handbag. “Yes. It wasn’t a pleasant message either.”

He shook his head. “I don’t think I like your mom very much.”

I laughed at his vehemence. “Yeah, well, that makes two of us.”

We were quiet for a few miles and I enjoyed the scenery. Sach Valley, the area where Kai lived, was breathtaking with mature trees and rolling hills. The quiet beauty made me feel at peace, as if a heavy weight had been lifted from my shoulders. I thought of the kiss I’d shared with Kai in the woods the night before—as well as his promise to tell me the truth. No time like the present.

I turned in my seat, angling my body toward Kai, then asked, “Last night, you said you’d tell me the truth.”

He didn’t speak, a clear sign that I’d hit a nerve. A muscle in his jaw twitched and his gaze narrowed.

“There are things about you, about your family that you aren’t telling me,” I went on. “That much I’m certain of.”

“It’s true.” His shoulders bunched and his fists tightened on the steering wheel. “We’re very private, Lily. For good reason.”

I mulled that over. Several wild scenarios sprang to mind. Top of the list, they were into something illegal. “Drugs?”

His gaze shot toward me. “You think we’re drug runners?”

I slapped my hand on my thigh. “Look, you live in the woods, basically on a compound. You have a hundred acres. And you’re extremely secretive. What else can I think?”

He let out a heavy sigh. “I see your point, but we don’t deal in drugs. I swear we aren’t into anything illegal.”

Frustration mounted and I blurted, “Then what is it? Why the secrecy?”

He was quiet for a few minutes before saying, “Do you believe that there are things of this world that mankind has yet to discover?”

“Uh, I suppose. I’ve never given it much thought, I guess.” I remembered him telling me about the Yucilons . “I didn’t know anything like Fostine existed.”

“Exactly. And we both agree that if the government found out about her, she’d be caged up in some laboratory.”

“Yes. It’s despicable but true. Although, I don’t understand what that has to do with your secrets.”

He took a turn and I could see the town coming into view. “My family, the Ravenbriars, have been around for generations.”

“I know,” I replied. “Creeg told me something similar when he treated me last night in his clinic.”

“What he didn’t say is that we aren’t like you, Lily. We aren’t...”

He was on the verge of sharing something vital, I could feel it. Why he hesitated concerned me. “I’ll keep whatever you say in the strictest confidence,” I offered, hoping to ease his mind. “I’m no gossip.”

“It’s not that.” He smiled over at me, before turning his attention back to the road. “I know you would never betray my trust.”

I began tapping out a rhythm on my leg. “Okay, then why is this so hard for you?”

“I’m afraid you’ll think I’m nuts.”

“Try me.”

His cell phone rang, cutting off his confession. He cursed and picked it up from the middle console and read the screen. “I’m sorry. It’s Wyatt.”

Wyatt. Anytime the man spoke, the rest of them jumped. It was strange how they all treated their oldest brother. I watched him answer the phone with a curt “yeah.” Whatever Wyatt had to say caused Kai to hit the brakes. My body jerked forward from the momentum. “We’re on our way,” he muttered.

When Kai ended the call and did a U-turn I had to grip onto the dash to keep from flailing about. “What on Earth is going on?”

“I’m sorry, but the trip to the store will have to wait,” he muttered, his gaze snaring mine. “Wyatt just learned that a man fitting our father’s description has been murdered.”

“Your father?” I blurted, digesting his words.

“It’s a long story, but to sum it up, our father left when Fostine went missing. He went looking for her. He hasn’t been back since. We’ve searched, filed a missing person’s report. But nothing.” He swallowed hard. “Until now.”

I wrapped a hand around his forearm and squeezed. “Have faith. It might not be him.”

A muscle in Kai’s jaw jumped wildly. “Yeah, I’m hoping that’s the case. Wyatt and I need to go identify the man.”

“Does your brother know what happened?”

He swallowed hard before saying, “A friend of ours found the man behind an old building.” His voice shook when he added, “Next to a dumpster. He’d been shot in the head.”

“Oh, Kai,” I replied, sorrow tightening my chest as I imagined what that must have been like for Wyatt. “Police?”

“They’ve been called to the scene. Wyatt is on his way.” He cursed under his breath. “I need to drop you at the house, then head over there.”

“Take me with you,” I offered, wishing I could just hold him. The pain Kai attempted to keep hidden broke my heart. “It’ll take more time to go home first. Just take me with you.”

Kai’s gaze widened. “Are you certain? I’m not sure what I’m walking into, Lily,” he bit out. “Things could get ugly. It’s a crime scene, after all.”

“I’m sure,” I swore. “I’ll wait in the car if I have to.”

He slowed the car to a crawl, as if thinking over my suggestion. “Wyatt might not approve, but what the hell,” he muttered, then turned the car around and headed to town.

I didn’t much care if Wyatt approved. I wanted to be there for Kai. I kept that bit to myself and asked, “Where did they find him?”

“Behind a warehouse.” He shook his head. “Something doesn’t feel right though.”

I watched Kai. He was deep in thought. I couldn’t imagine what he was going through. The fear that it could be his father, shot and killed, then left like trash. “I take it you know where we’re going?”

“Yeah, I know the place,” he groaned.

Fifteen minutes later, we were approaching the edge of town. I saw large buildings up ahead, but Kai slowed, then made a right before we could reach the town limits. Another mile and I saw police lights. Three squad cars and a few other vehicles were all parked in front of a three-story building. I reached for him and offered a smile. “Deep breaths,” I murmured.

He gave me a jerky nod, then pulled into a spot next to a big, black four-wheel-drive truck. “Wyatt’s,” he explained, as he killed the engine. “Wait here.”

“You’re sure?”

“I am. I don’t want you anywhere near this place, Lily. Please, wait here.”

I nodded. “I’m not going anywhere.”

He shoved open the door, then slammed it closed. I watched on as Kai jogged toward the building. I sighed, feeling helpless. There had to be something I could do. Anything. I clasped my hands together, then hung my head and prayed. Hopefully God is in a listening mood .

****

K ai

I approached a group of police officers, most of whom I recognized. When everyone turned my way, one of them closed the distance between us and held up both hands. “It’s messy, Kai.”

“Let me through, Brandon,” I bit out.

He sighed. “Just ... brace yourself.”

I shoved past him, then saw Wyatt standing next to the dumpster. To his right was the body of a man sprawled out on the blacktop. Jeans, old black work boots, and a grey, short-sleeved t-shirt. The face unrecognizable. Blood and pieces of skull and brain scattered around. “Jesus,” I muttered, my stomach churning at the sight.

“No ID, no wallet. Nothing.”

Wyatt turned toward me, his lips thinning in an angry line. “It’s not him.”

I moved closer, then gave the body another inspection. I noticed the left arm. “No scar,” I said, relief swamped me.

“Yeah, but there was a note,” Wyatt replied, nudging his chin toward Brandon. “Show him.”

Brandon pulled a plastic bag from his shirt pocket, then held it in the air. “It was pinned to his chest.”

“ You’ll never find him ,” I read aloud. “What the hell?”

“He’s taunting us,” Wyatt shot back. “Bastard killed this guy just to prove a fucking point.”

Brandon shoved the note away and cleared his throat. “I need to know who you think did this.”

The pair stared at each other. Wyatt didn’t say a word. Brandon shook his head. “You can’t go off on your own here.” He pointed to the dead man lying on the ground. “This is a murder investigation. If you have information that could aid us, then you’re obligated to tell us.”

“You want the truth?” Wyat yelled, getting in Brandon’s face. “Gregory Patterson did this!”

“That weird little fella from Cedar Haven?”

“Yes. He’s your murderer,” Wyatt ground out. “And you’d better find him before I do.”

Wyatt turned and walked away, leaving Brandon to shake his head in frustration.

I tried to smooth things over. “I’ll talk to him.”

“Good, because I don’t want to arrest him for some vigilante bullshit. I truly don’t.”

I didn’t say anything else. What could I say? I agreed with Wyatt. One way or the other, Patterson would be found. I hoped it would be before the son of a bitch killed our father.

When I caught up to Wyatt, I asked, “What is the point Patterson is trying to make with all this?” Rage threatened to consume me. “That he’s a fucking psycho?”

Wyatt shoved a hand over his face, then leaned against the front bumper of his truck. “Patterson lost Fostine. He’ll make Dad pay for that.”

I gave that some thought, then said, “I wish I’d gotten a picture of the dead guy. We could’ve shown Fostine. Maybe she’d recognize him.”

Wyatt yanked his cell phone out of his back pocket and waved it in the air. “I got a picture, but there’s not much left of his face to recognize.”

There went my stomach again. “Send it anyway,” I muttered. “It’s worth a try.”

Wyatt tapped the screen and hit send. Seconds was all it took for Fostine’s reply. Wyatt sighed. “She says it’s Ricky, the guard who helped her,” he explained. “She recognizes the clothes. They’re the same clothes he had on the night she escaped.”

“Fuck! That bastard’s had it out for our family for years.” I groaned. “There’s no telling where he took Dad.”

“Yeah, and all we have is a first name for the guard. It won’t help the police.” Wyatt’s gaze went back to the crime scene. “But I had a chance to check out the body before Brandon and his buddies showed up.”

Had Wyatt caught a scent? “Yeah?”

He pulled his hand out of his pocket. A small teardrop-shaped leaf in the palm of his hand. “That’s from an Osage Orange tree. I also caught the scent of honeysuckle.”

“There are a lot of both on the south side of town.”

“Yep. I’m going to make a trip out that way. See if I can spot any abandoned buildings.”

“I’m coming with you. Let me take Lily home first.”

Wyatt’s eyes widened and he searched the area until his gaze landed on Lily seated in the SUV. “You brought her here?”

“She wanted to be with me in case...”

His steely eyes drilled into me. “Damn it, Kai. It’s a fucking crime scene.”

“I know.” I didn’t bother to apologize. “She’s my mate.”

His oldest brother quirked a knowing brow at me. “Have that talk already, did ya?”

“You know I didn’t have time for that yet,” I answered. “Enough about that. If you’re going after Patterson, then I’m coming, too.”

“A scouting mission,” Wyatt warned. “Nothing else.”

“Until you find him,” I argued. “There’s no way you’ll call for reinforcements. I know you. You’ll charge in and take on Patterson alone.”

“Whatever. I’m just saying that this might lead to nothing.” He held up the leaf. “Hell, my only lead is from a tree that grows all over this area.”

“And the honeysuckle,” I reminded him. “I think you’re onto something here.”

He threw his hands in the air. “Fine, do something with your mate. I’ll meet you at the café in one hour.”

Another thought hit me. “I’m bringing Miggs.”

Wyatt’s lips lifted at the corners. “Only because you don’t want him anywhere near Lily.”

I crossed my arms over my chest. “He’s got an attitude about her,” I admitted. “I don’t trust him.”

Wyatt’s smile disappeared. “Yeah, I’m concerned about that, too. He nearly took me on yesterday and that’s not like him.”

“So, he’s coming with us. If we find Patterson, then Miggs can let out some of his pent-up rage on him.”

“Sounds good to me.” He pulled his key out of his front pocket, then got into the truck. “One hour.”

I nodded, then headed for my own vehicle. I got in behind the wheel and smiled over at Lily. “It wasn’t him.”

“I’m glad, but do they know who the victim is?”

“No,” I answered. Some poor schmuck who’d crossed paths with Patterson. Another innocent victim. “There was no ID on him.”

She gazed out the windshield. “That’s so sad.”

I reached for her, squeezing her hand in mine gave me strength. “I’m sure the police will do everything they can to find out who he is and locate his family.”

“Yeah.” She sighed. “And you still don’t know where your dad is.”

“No, but we have a lead. Wyatt wants us to check into it.” I sighed. “I’m afraid I need to take you home, Lily. He’ll need my help.”

“Of course,” she offered. “Actually, I still need to replace my phone. And check on my van. Maybe I could do that while you’re with Wyatt.”

I smiled. “That’ll work. In fact, I’m meeting him at the café. When you’re finished with your errands I can meet you there later. And you can use my car.”

“Are you sure?” She grinned. “I mean, I might decide I like it better than my old clunker of a van and drive off with it.”

“I’d find you, Lily.” I winked at her, then put the SUV in gear and took off out of the parking lot. “Have no doubt of that.” I tried to keep the conversation light, but I was too wound up by the knowledge that Patterson was off somewhere torturing my father. The only thing on my mind was getting him back. And making the sick bastard pay.

****

L ily

I saw the tension in Kai. His shoulders were stiff and his hands held the steering wheel in a white-knuckled grip. “So, your dad went searching for Fostine and got tangled up with a bunch of people that sell exotic animals?”

“Something like that. And there’s no telling what they’ll do to keep their operation safe.”

I didn’t know where to begin. How deep was I getting with Kai and his family drama? My brain was warning me to get out now while I still could. After all, I had my own family ugliness to deal with. But my heart was the one calling the shots and I didn’t have it in me to leave Kai. Not when he needed me the most.

“You’re quiet,” he murmured. “I’ve thrown too much at you.”

“No, it’s just, this is serious stuff, Kai. I mean, could you be in danger, too? Your brothers?”

“We’re safe,” he promised. “It’s Patterson who will suffer.”

“Patterson?”

“He’s the one who did this.”

“Did your brother give the name to the police?”

“Yes.” He scowled at me, his eyes ice-cold. “But we take care of our own.”

He was talking vigilante justice and I couldn’t condone that. “An eye for an eye is not the way to handle this. The police can bring this Patterson person in. Question him.”

“And when there’s no proof, then he walks.” He shook his head. “We cannot let that happen. Dad would be the one to suffer.”

I knew he was worried, but the urge to reason with him wouldn’t go away. “Taking the law into your own hands? You think that’s a good idea?”

He turned onto the street heading into town. “I think if we don’t act fast, then Dad could end up dead. We won’t sit back and do nothing.”

“But the police—”

“Have their hands full looking for a murder victim’s identity. Locating family. Waiting on an autopsy.”

When we reached a little rundown auto repair shop, Kai pulled up close to the front, then killed the engine and turned my way. “I know the things I’m saying seem barbaric to you, but please be patient with me.”

“I just think there is a right way to handle this that doesn’t get you hurt. Or killed.”

He cupped my cheek in his palm. “I don’t want to frighten you off,” he murmured. “I need you, Lily.”

Need . There it was again. Capturing my heart and leading me down a dangerous path. Good or bad. Right or wrong. I wasn’t leaving Kai. Not now. Not when he was practically begging. I unbuckled my seatbelt and leaned closer to him, then placed my hand on his chest. “I’m not going anywhere. I might be seriously crazy, but I’m staying.”

His eyes warmed and he lowered his head to brush his lips across mine. It was such a small taste of him and I ached for so much more. It left me desperate.

“My brothers will be waiting,” he explained, as he opened the door and jogged around to my side. He placed the key in my hand and smiled. “I’ll see you later. At the café.” He pointed across the street. “Ask for Tessa. She works there and knows us. She’ll take good care of you.”

“An ex-girlfriend?” The ugly green monster reared its head.

“No. A friend only.”

“Of course.” I tried to take a step back, but Kai’s warm, calloused hand on the back of my neck stopped me. I glanced up at him and caught the heat of his gaze on me. “What is it?”

“Thank you for giving me a chance,” he growled. “In the midst of all this, you could’ve insisted I drop you off at the nearest hotel, and yet you chose to stick it out with me.”

I smiled, as my heart did somersaults. “You and I still have things to talk about, remember? I’m not letting you off the hook that easily.”

His lips tilted up sideways. “Good, because I want you to know me. Everything about me. And when you do, then we can continue what we started last night by the waterfall.”

My blood turned to molten lava at Kai’s quietly spoken promise. Speechless, utterly speechless, I watched as he crossed the street and entered the little café.

Oh, yeah, I was definitely heading down a dangerous path. And yet I wasn’t running in the opposite. Why wasn’t I running? Simple, Kai brought out something in me that I hadn’t known existed. It was thrilling and scary all at once.