Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
GAVIN
Apossible killer in my town. It’s been a while.
The victim Brooke was cagey. Said someone held her head underwater.
She claims she didn’t get a good look at them.
She wouldn’t give me too much information.
She knows more than she’s saying. She might be afraid that the person will come back and finish the job.
I don’t like seeing the look of fear in Sasha’s eyes.
Sasha. Can’t believe I called her by her first name. But I had to put her mind at ease and let her know I’d keep her safe. Can’t let what happened to Lily happen to Sasha. Not sure what I’d do if someone hurt that infuriating woman. I’d like to know she’d return to Charleston safe and sound.
“Gavin, what’s up, man?”
He walks toward me and pulls me into a hug.
“A lot’s going on,” I say to my best friend.
I take a step back and take in Jax’s mechanic garage. It’s rustic yet has a modern flare.
Jax Milton and I have been friends since grade school.
“Have a seat. I’ll grab a couple of beers.” He grins.
My best friend is a wolf shifter too. The women in our small-town flock to him in droves.
Asking him to fix their cars when there’s nothing wrong.
He’s six-four. Bet they fall for the blue eyes and jet-black hair.
My best friend isn’t looking to settle down either.
His mother was killed when he was young.
He’s never been the same. If he’d let a woman in, maybe she could help soothe his soul.
I have some nerve. Since I won’t settle down either.
He places the cold bottle of beer in my hand.
“I heard your new secretary is really getting under your skin.”
I chug half the bottle as he sinks onto the bench seat beside me. He removed it from a nineteen-fifties Chevy truck and turned it into a sofa.
“Tyson said you’re stalking her.”
I chuckle. “Fuck my nosy, gossiping brother. I’m not stalking her. I’m just making sure Walker is safe in Evan’s camper alone way out in the middle of nowhere.”
“And is she safe?”
“Yeah,” I say, twisting the neck of the bottle in my hand.
“It’s clear you have a crush on her.”
“What? How?”
“You’re a little less grumpy, my friend.” He pats my back.
“She has a way of working my nerves without even trying. No one has the balls to stand up to me like she does. She called me an asshole to my face. Of course, that’s after I told her she could speak freely.
I’d heard her say it under her breath before.
I semi lost control and cornered her in.
Every night before I go to sleep, I see her face.
When I wake up in the morning. Same thing. ”
I wouldn’t admit to my friend that I’ve been beating off to visions of her.
I’m sure once she’s out of my town this need to fuck her long and hard will go away.
“Gavin, it’s been years since Lily died. It’s time to move on.”
I lean back and run a hand over my hair. “Walker, I mean Sasha said she’s been hurt by her ex-boyfriend and doesn’t trust men anymore. Bottom line, she’s not interested in me.”
“Okay, well, it’s still time to move on. Find a mate and settle down.”
“I’ll settle down if you do,” I smirk as I drain the rest of the spicy apple cider beer.
“Yeah, I’ll get right on that,” he jokes.
I change the subject. “Come for a run with Tyson and me on Saturday morning.”
He grins from ear to ear. “Getting back to your old self. I’d be happy to join you guys.”
I yawn. “I’m fucking exhausted. Going home to take a nap.”
“Aren’t you off work?” He asks.
“Yeah, but there’s a possible killer on the loose. So I’m working around the clock.”
I don’t tell my best friend I’m exhausted because I’ve been camped out at Sasha’s lot. Thankfully, I keep a go bag in my trunk in case of emergencies, like shifting and or watching a stubborn omega.
If I don’t find this suspect soon, Sasha’s moving into my cabin whether she wants to or not.