Page 7 of Mated to the Mountain Bear

“Your brother?”

At least Beau comes with a recommendation from a woman I trust. I know nothing about his brother.

“Ben. He... keeps to himself. But he’ll help.”

The lights of the town fade in the rearview mirror. Trees line the highway, dark shapes bending in the wind and rain. We take an exit I don’t recognise, onto a two-lane road that curves uphill through forest. The headlights sweep across tree trunks and underbrush, creating moving shadows that make my heart race.

“I don’t know about this… Maybe I should just stay with a friend.”

But who? I run through the depressing short list in my mind and admit I’ve got limited options.

Am I going to turn up on the doorstep of my best friend who’s expecting twins? My ex who still wants to patch things up? No thanks. None of them needs this shitshow landing on their doorstep. Especially if this guy is dangerous.

“Someone was in your apartment tonight. He probably knows everything about you. Where you work, your gym, yourfamily. And checking local hotels is too easy for a guy who’s this determined. You need to disappear for a few days while I figure out who’s doing this.”

He’s right, and I hate it.

My fingers dig into the leather of his jacket as I draw it tighter around me, holding on to something solid, while everything else spins out of control.

This is what Beau does. There’s a reason Harris recommended him. Trust the process. It’s just a few days. Maybe he’ll figure out who it is, and this will all be over.

He pulls out his phone, thumb moving across the screen without looking away from the road. The call connects through the car speakers.

“What?” The voice that answers is groggy and annoyed.

“Mason, it’s Beau. I need you and Maddox ready in an hour.”

A string of sleepy expletives come down the line.

“Do you know what fucking time it is?” He snarls, but I can hear movement, like he’s already getting up and dressed, just like Beau did.

“I’ve got a situation. Someone broke into my client’s apartment tonight while she was sleeping. I need you to help me track them down.”

I can still scarcely believe it happened. Hearing it repeated out loud again is jarring. Is this really my life now? I used to think I was so strong and could handle anything. Now, look at me, I’m a mess. Everything’s a mess.

“Shit.” The sleepiness vanishes from the voice. “Where do you need us? I’m already in the car.”

These guys don’t mess around.

“I’m taking her to Ben’s first. She needs somewhere safe while we work.”

A long pause. “Ben knows about this?”

Beau shifts in his seat again, looking at me out of the corner of his eye, and frowning. “He will in about twenty minutes.”

“He’s gonna lose his shit.” But there’s amusement in Mason’s voice now. “He said no to the job, like five times already.”

Beau rolls his shoulders, looks at me, then back to the road.

“This is different. I’m not asking him to work, just let someone stay for a few days.”

Mason laughs. “That’s worse. I think he’d prefer to work.”

Beau’s fingers drum against the steering wheel. “Can you and Maddox handle surveillance on her apartment building while I drop her off? Whoever this guy is, he might come back. I’ve just sent you the details.”

Normally, I’d point out how dangerous texting while driving is, but somehow, I don’t think now is the time.

“On it. I’ll grab Maddox, and we’ll head straight over.”