Page 26 of Paws and Claws (Saltwater Grove Romances #4)

26

DOMINIC

T he early morning sun hadn't yet crested the horizon when Dominic paced the empty briefing room. The aroma of fresh coffee wafted through the air, mixing with the lingering traces of paper and ink from yesterday's reports.

"Thanks for coming in early," he said as Connor, Martinez, and Chen filed into the room. His deputy carried an extra cup of coffee, sliding it across the table to him.

"You said it was important, boss." Martinez settled into one of the chairs, her dark eyes sharp despite the early hour.

Dominic planted his hands on the table, leaning forward. "The Paranormal Hunters are planning to attack the Midsummer Shifter Jousts tomorrow."

Chen's chair scraped loudly against the linoleum floor as he sat up straighter. "That's a serious accusation, especially given recent... events."

"Bruce is working with them," Dominic said, his voice holding the weight of authority that came naturally to him as both sheriff and alpha. "He's trying to frame me like he tried to frame Tabitha Moon."

"The witch?" Martinez raised an eyebrow. "The one you've been spending a lot of time with lately?"

Dominic let out a low growl. "We've got evidence of their weapons, specially designed to target shifters. The Jousts will be the perfect opportunity for them to make a statement and possibly harm a lot of innocent people in the process."

Connor stepped forward. "I've worked with Dominic for years. If he says there's a threat, then there's a real threat."

"Bruce has been acting pretty strange lately," Chen admitted. "Always disappearing, taking calls in private."

Martinez tapped her finger on the table. "Still, it's your word against his. And after the other day..."

"I know what it looks like," Dominic said. "But I've spent fifteen years protecting this town. You know me. Have I ever led you wrong?"

The room fell silent as his officers exchanged glances. Connor's unwavering support seemed to sway them, and finally Martinez nodded.

"What's the plan then, boss?"

Relief flooded through his chest. "We'll need to coordinate with some... unofficial help. Local witches who've agreed to assist."

"Tabitha's friends?" Chen asked, a hint of skepticism in his voice.

"Yes," Dominic admitted.

"You've changed, boss," Martinez said. "Two months ago, you wouldn't have even considered working with them."

"Two months ago, I was wrong about a lot of things," Dominic replied simply.

The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across The Hex's back parking lot as Dominic led his officers toward the gathering of witches. His nose detected the scent of various magical herbs and ingredients, along with the underlying current of wild magic that always seemed to follow Tabitha and her friends.

"This better work," Martinez muttered behind him.

Tabitha stood at the head of her group in her tight jeans and leather jacket, making his heart skip a beat. Her friends lounged against their motorcycles, eyeing the approaching officers with obvious distrust.

"Well, if it isn't Saltwater Grove's finest," drawled Luna, a witch with silver hair and multiple piercings. "Come to write us some tickets?"

Chen's hand twitched toward his belt. "Maybe if you'd follow basic traffic laws-"

"Enough," Dominic growled. "We're not here about tickets or past grievances."

"He's right," Tabitha stepped forward, her eyes meeting his. "The Hunters are the real threat here."

"Still don't see why we should trust cops," another witch called out.

"Because," Dominic planted his feet and crossed his arms, "we all want the same thing - to keep our town safe. The Hunters don't care if you're a witch or a shifter, or if you wear a badge or you don't. They want us all gone."

Connor nodded. "We need to work together on this."

"The festival starts tomorrow," Luna pushed off her bike. "They'll need to prep tonight. Get their gear ready and go over the plan."

"That's our window," Connor said. "Take them down before they can hurt anyone."

"There's this warehouse," Luna glanced at Tabitha. "Off Milton Street. Lots of sketchy stuff goes in and out. Perfect place for them to set up."

Dominic felt his pulse quicken. This could be it. "We'll need to coordinate. Set up surveillance first, make sure they're actually there."

"Meet at the convenience store two blocks over at eight," Tabitha suggested. "Close enough to watch but not so close they'll spot us."

"Agreed." Dominic looked around the group, pleased to see determination replacing the earlier hostility. "Eight o'clock. Don't be late."

As the groups separated, Tabitha caught his arm. "This is actually happening, isn't it?"

"Yes," he said softly, allowing himself a moment to appreciate how her touch sent warmth through his body. "And we're going to stop them for good."

The convenience store's flickering neon sign cast intermittent red and yellow shadows across their faces as Dominic surveyed his unusual team. His officers clustered near their unmarked vehicles while Tabitha's witch friends lounged against their motorcycles.

"Third car in ten minutes," Connor reported quietly, nodding toward a black SUV that pulled into the warehouse lot.

Dominic's enhanced vision picked out the driver's profile. "That's Reynolds. He's one of our rookie officers. Bruce has some nerve recruiting my officers for this attack." The betrayal stings, but he pushed the feeling aside.

"Speaking of the devil," Tabitha murmured, sliding closer to him. Her wild magic tingled against his skin like static electricity.

Bruce's sedan rolled past their position, turning into the warehouse lot. Dominic's officers tensed, several cursing under their breath as their colleague disappeared inside.

"Son of a bitch," Martinez spat. "All this time..."

"Focus," Dominic growled, his alpha nature threading through the word. "We need a solid plan. Chen, what's the layout look like?"

"Three exits - main entrance, loading dock in the back, side door near the office section. No windows except up high." Chen sketched a rough diagram in his notepad.

Luna peered over his shoulder. "We could seal those exits with binding spells. Trap them inside."

"That could work." Dominic acknowledged as he stared at Chen's diagram.

"What about a distraction as well?" Tabitha suggested. "My wild magic could create quite a light show out front while teams slip in the back."

The plan started forming in Dominic's mind. "Split into three groups - one for each entrance. Martinez, you'll lead the loading dock team. Connor takes the side door. I'll handle the front."

"With me," Tabitha added, bumping his shoulder playfully.

He should argue, should keep her safely away from the front lines, but he'd learned better by now. Besides, her magic complemented his strength perfectly. "With you," he agreed, earning a brilliant smile that caused his heart to race.

They spent the next hour working out signals and timing, his officers and the witches gradually finding common ground in their shared mission. Dominic watched with pride as his two worlds merged, creating something stronger than either alone.

"Looks like at least fifteen inside now," Connor reported.

Dominic nodded. "We move in five minutes. Get your teams ready."

Dominic watched as Luna and three other witches moved silently around the perimeter of the warehouse, their hands weaving intricate patterns in the air. Magical energy crackled, invisible to normal eyes but clear as day to his enhanced shifter senses. The spell work reminded him of spider webs, delicate yet strong, sealing the loading dock and side entrance.

"Your team ready?" he asked Martinez, keeping his voice low.

She nodded, her hand resting on her service weapon. "We'll move in on your signal."

Connor's group took position near the side door, the witches with them maintaining the binding spells. The magical barrier shimmered like heat waves rising from hot asphalt.

Beside him, Tabitha bounced on her toes, wild magic sparking around her fingers. "Ready to crash their party?"

"Try to keep the property damage to a minimum," he rumbled, though his lips twitched with amusement. Her enthusiasm was infectious, even in serious situations.

"Where's the fun in that?" She grinned up at him.

"The fun is in taking down the bad guys without destroying half the block." He touched her shoulder, letting his hand linger. "But I trust you."

Her expression softened. "That means a lot, coming from you."

"Times change." He squeezed her shoulder before addressing the group. "Remember, we need Bruce alive. He's got evidence of their whole operation on him."

"What about the others?" asked Chen, checking his weapon one last time.

"Subdue them however necessary," Dominic's voice carried the weight of command. "But no unnecessary force."

Luna finished her spell work and gave them a thumbs up. "Back exits are sealed tight. Not even a mouse could squeeze through."

"Good." Dominic checked his watch. "Three minutes. Get in position."

As the teams spread out, Tabitha pressed against his side. "You know, for someone who used to lecture me about speeding tickets, you're pretty sexy when you're all commanding."

Dominic suddenly pulled Tabitha against him, his large hands spanning her waist. The wild magic crackling around her fingers sent pleasant tingles through his palms, like touching a living storm.

"Try not to do anything reckless," he murmured, his thumb tracing circles on her hip.

"Me? Never." Her eyes sparkled with mischief. "You're the one who needs to be careful, Sheriff. I've gotten used to having you around."

"Is that your way of saying you care about me?"

"Maybe." She tilted her head.

His chest rumbled with a low laugh. "You're impossible."

"You love it."

And he did. God help him, he loved everything about this wild witch who'd turned his ordered world upside down. Instead of answering with words, he bent down and captured her lips with his.

The kiss blazed through him like wildfire, fierce and consuming. Her magic sparked between them, matching the intensity of their shared passion. Dominic poured everything he couldn't say into the kiss - his need to protect her, his hope for their future, his fierce determination to see them both through this night safely.

Tabitha pressed closer, her fingers curling into his shirt. She kissed him back with equal fervor, as if trying to brand herself into his soul. His inner lion roared with approval.

When they finally separated, both breathing heavily, Tabitha's eyes were bright with emotion. "Wow. If that's how you kiss before a fight, I can't wait to see what we do after we win."