I withdrew my hand. “Someone wrote on our window with shoe polish.”
That was why I’d spent all my afternoon scrubbing those windows. It offended me to know that someone had targeted us, and I didn’t want a single trace of it left behind.
“What did it say?”
My cheeks heated. “Slut.”
His jaw clenched, and he sat back. Will usually kept his cool and wasn’t one of the aggressive wolves in the pack. Only twice had I ever seen him lose his temper, and it wasn’t a pretty sight.
Before he could say anything, I continued. “We can’t put cameras up since security cameras aren’t allowed in the Breed district, especially outside. It’s probably kids or maybe even some jealous competition. Anyhow, we’re wolves, and wolves stand their ground. The writing washed off, and we’re not dwelling on the matter. Aunt Lexi told me she had some trouble with her bakery in the beginning, but people got over it.”
He scraped his teeth against his bottom lip. “She was also mated to a Packmaster. People see you as an easy target—someone they can push around since you’re unclaimed.”
“And that’s why I don’t want to mention this to the pack,” I said, holding his gaze. “You don’t have legal rights to take action against someone who’s harassing me since I don’t belong to the pack anymore. The last thing I want is retaliation. I love my family but not enough to see you go to Breed jail over a few dumb rednecks who are intimidated by a couple of women.”
Will gave a handsome smile, erasing his dark expression. “You make a fair argument, but you mustn’t keep secrets from us. If there’s no one you trust in the pack, then speak with me. I have connections, and if you receive continued harassment, then maybe we can figure something out. You know all about the bidding war with real estate. A lot of packs want commercial property, so that’s why they’re hoping that you fail or give up. You won this property over a long list of people, so don’t be surprised by a little backlash in the community. They’ll get over it.”
I straightened my back. “I don’t give up. Never have, never will. And I promise to tell you if we run into trouble again. That’s been the only incident. Hopefully the last.”
Hope approached the kitchen island, clasping her hands. “Hi, William.”
Will turned in his seat and stood, arms wide. “How’s my girl?” He gave her a quick hug and looked between us. “Have you been watching over our Mel and keeping her out of trouble?”
Amusement danced in her eyes as she folded her arms. “She’s in capable hands.”
“Of that I have no doubt.” He glanced down at her bag near the door, his eyes brimming with concern. “I think it’s time that you tell me why I’m here. Are you two going somewhere?”
Her eyes darted toward me, and I stood up.
“That’s why I need to borrow your Jeep,” I confessed. “We ran into a last-minute snag with one of our contractors, so we’re on borrowed time to find a new one as quickly as possible. We have separate meetings set up tomorrow, and Hope’s taking the car. My scooter isn’t going to get me very far on the highway.”
“Do you need someone to escort you?”
“No,” I blurted, sensing that protectiveness kicking in. “And please don’t mention this to Lennon or Hendrix. You know how they are, and they’ll follow me. I don’t need two macho alphas flanking me at all times and intimidating the hell out of everyone. What if they insult the dealer and ruin our chances? The thing is, no one is going to take me seriously if I show up with a male escort.”
Hope erupted with laughter.
“That sounded all wrong,” I said, shaking my head. “What I meant was—”
“No need to explain.” His lips twitched before he nodded in agreement. “They’ll assume you can’t make decisions on your own. If this person is a Shifter, he’ll have more confidence striking a deal if you negotiate alone.”
I leaned on the counter. “Showing up with my brothers just isn’t professional.”
William turned away in a pathetic attempt to conceal his grin. It didn’t take a detective to figure out what had him so tickled. I had to laugh at the thought of me rolling up in a flashy red Jeep, my purple hair flying everywhere. The guy was going to take one look at me in my eccentric clothes and think I’d escaped the circus.
Which was exactly what my life had become.
Chapter 3
“How’s the drive?” Hope asked on my speakerphone.
I glanced at the mess of candy wrappers on the passenger seat of my uncle’s Jeep. “Scenic. And if one more trucker wags his tongue between two fingers at me, I’m going to drive off a cliff.”
She laughed. “Let me know when you see a cliff in Texas.”
“As a matter of fact, I’m already in Oklahoma. I’m sure if I look hard enough, I can find one. If not, the noxious odor of dead skunks every thirty miles should do me in. Where are you?”
“I just left.”
Turning down the air so I could hear better, I said, “Wait a second. Weren’t you going to leave right after me?”
“I wish I had. It took me over an hour to find a decent hotel online.”
I passed a pickup truck and grinned. Hope was a planner and didn’t like the idea of staying at the first motel on the side of the highway. When I’d left the apartment, she was on the internet, comparing amenities.
“Traffic is a nightmare,” she continued, “so it’s probably going to take me a couple of hours before I make it to San Antonio.”
I glanced down at the clock. “How long do you think your meeting will last?”
“It depends. We’re having dinner at the hotel, and if that goes well, he’ll probably invite me back to his place.”
“Sounds kinky.”
When her response came through garbled, I moved the phone around. “Hope?”
“I’m here. And don’t be silly. His elders want to speak with me. The tribes are careful about who they do business with, so he’s basically vetting me to see if I’m good enough to consider.”
“Well, just watch out for yourself. He might be one of those crazy alphas with a harem.”
“I’m glad I packed my harem pants.”
Chortling, I said, “I really shouldn’t laugh at that.”
“I’m more worried about you. It’s not too late to turn back.”
I jerked the wheel and swerved around roadkill. Thankfully it wasn’t a skunk. “Don’t worry about me. I brought my bow and arrows. The only thing I forgot to pack was some good music. Uncle Will’s fantabulous CD collection leaves much to be desired.”
“It can’t be that bad.”
I picked up a jewel case and read the label. “Let’s just say that when I lost the radio stations, I was reduced to listening to Herb Alpert and Engelbert Humperdinck.”
“Who?”
“Exactly. These are the joys of living with old Shifters. Do you think one day our kids will be laughing at our music?”
The reception cut off, and I only heard every other word.