Chapter 2
Thank God it was the end of my shift. This whole week had been hectic, but today, it seemed like all the criminals and crazies in Phoenix knew it was Friday and decided to do everything possible to bury me in work.
It was why I was leaving at nine p.m. rather than my scheduled six p.m. And I had come in early at eight a.m. rather than my usual ten o’clock.
Someone on the two-to-ten a.m. shift had to leave early.
It seemed to be a habit on that shift for several to do that, and I was usually the one who worked extra.
I wondered if the boss bothered to ask anyone else but me.
It had been so insane that I had barely had time for a few bathroom breaks.
Lunch had never happened. I snacked on whatever protein bars and trail mix I had in my desk.
I was starving, yet so tired I wasn’t sure I could eat.
I was glad for once that Daideo, Granddad, would be picking me up.
If I had to drive home, I would’ve cried and probably debated sleeping in my car.
My feet dragged as I got my purse and pulled on my coat.
The ride down on the elevator to the first floor of the precinct building seemed to take twice as long as usual, which wasn’t the case.
There was only a skeleton crew on at the moment.
As I passed the front desk, the desk sergeant called out to me.
It was Wally. He’d worked here since before I started.
We’d become friendly because I stayed late or came in early so often.
He did twelve-hour shifts. I stopped, although I wanted to keep walking.
“Hey, Fiona, you’re here again? Damn girl, do they have no one else who works? I saw the others from your shift all run out of here on time,” he remarked, frowning.
“They did leave. As for why, I don’t know what they worked on. But today was crazy for me. I had tests that I couldn’t leave over the weekend. But I can tell you they need someone else to start coming in early. Thirteen hours is too much.”
I never complained, but tonight I was beyond caring. His surprise showed.
“Fiona, they use you, and it’s not fair. You work harder and longer than anyone else. Until tonight, I’ve never heard you complain. Start saying no. You’ve proven your worth. They won’t fire you for saying you can’t or won’t. Let some of these slackers pick up some of the extra work.”
“I think you’re right, Wally. Thanks. Have a good night.”
“I will. Do you want me to walk you to your car?”
“No, my granddad is picking me up again, so he’ll be right out front. Thank you, though.”
“You’re welcome. Go home and get some rest. And a meal. I bet you didn’t eat, did you?”
“No, I didn’t. But I will,” I said, giving him a weak smile.
He reached over and patted my arm, then squeezed my hand. “I meant what I said. Tell them no. You’re a rockstar here. I hear praise about you all the time. They’re not going to fire you. They need to push those assholes who slack and never do extra work.”
“I will. ‘Night.”
He gave my hand a final squeeze, then let go.
He stood up. It was time for him to do a walk-around.
The walk to the door felt slow. As I exited the building, the cool, though not cold, air hit my face.
I took a deep breath. The temperature was still in the high forties.
It was refreshing after a day inside. I preferred the outdoors, which was no doubt the shifter in me.
Scanning the area outside the front of the building for Granddad’s car, I was disappointed not to see it.
I’d texted Gal in plenty of time. I hoped everything was alright.
He’d responded, saying they’d be here. The only thing I saw was a large SUV.
I couldn’t tell the color or model in the dark.
I settled on staring at the entrance to the parking lot.
They would have to enter there. They must’ve gotten delayed.
If they weren’t here in five minutes, I’d text Gal.
I heard the sound of doors opening. I began to turn when the wind blew, and a scent hit my nose.
My body went hyperalert. Inside, my leopard, Danu, stirred.
She’d been asleep until this moment. She was upset that I told her earlier I couldn’t let her out to run tonight.
She slammed up against me like she was trying to get out.
I had complete control of her since I was five.
She’d never reacted this strongly. I was shocked as I fought to contain her.
The musk in the wind made me inhale more.
God, it was incredible. The underlying scent told me another leopard was near, but it wasn’t my granddad or brother, though I swore I detected them, too.
My gaze landed on a large, muscular man walking purposefully from the SUV I’d seen.
He was coming toward me. His brow was scrunched up in a frown.
I took a step back. I debated whether I should go back inside or slide my hand into my purse.
I hadn’t thought I’d need my gun right outside the precinct building.
Suddenly, another scent caught my attention. It was suddenly more intense, and I knew it. It was my brother. I frantically looked for him, but I didn’t see him or our car. Where were they parked? Then I heard my name called.
“Hey, Fiona, we’re here,” Gal said loudly. Then, as if by magic, he came from behind the unhappy man, who was still headed for me.
“Gal, watch out!” I shouted.
The memory of that threatening letter we’d received not long ago surfaced.
Oh God, was this the one who wrote it? Was he here to carry out the threat?
I didn’t want to shift out front of the police station.
Humans didn’t know about us. I sure didn’t need Wally seeing me turning into a leopard, and I doubted I could outrun the guy.
If he had a gun, forget it. My only recourse was to shoot him before he got us.
I fumbled with the zipper of my purse. Gal gave me a confused stare.
He was right next to the man, who wasn’t paying an ounce of attention to him.
“What’s wrong with…” Gal’s question died as I pulled out my gun and leveled it at the man. That move got both their attention. They stopped advancing.
“Gal, get over here. Now,” I ordered.
For once, he did as I told him without asking why a hundred times or arguing. When he got to me, I grabbed his arm and tugged on him until he was standing behind me.
“Listen, this is a police station. There’s an officer right inside.
If you touch us, you’ll be arrested. Leave,” I told the guy, who I knew now was the source of that tantalizing leopard musk.
Too bad he was a thug intent on hurting or killing us.
I hadn’t thought the one behind the letter was another shifter.
“Put the gun away. There’s no need for it,” the guy said. His deep voice made my knees weak.
“Forget it. Not happening,” I fired back.
“Mind telling your sister not to shoot me, Gal,” he said casually to my brother, as if he wasn’t worried at the prospect of it happening.
“Fi, you don’t want to do that. I mean it. Put the gun away. He’s with me. He’s not here to hurt anyone,” Gal said calmly.
“What do you mean, he’s here with you? Who is he? I’ve never seen him before. Where’s Granddad?” I rattled off. My gun was still pointed at the stranger.
“He’s here to help, and so is his friend. We met today. Granddad is at home with him, waiting for us,” my brother explained.
“Help? Help with what? You’re not making any sense,” I replied.
“Why don’t we all get in the vehicle, and then we’ll explain. I don’t want to attract undue attention. And put the gun out of sight if you won’t put it away,” the man said in a bored tone.
As I debated, Danu was pushing to be set free.
He’s ours. He’s our mate. Go to him. Allow him to mark you. Then he’ll release my mate, and he can mark me.
What? That man is not our mate, I objected.
Yes, he is. I know it.
You’re reacting to being near the first male leopard in forever that isn’t related.
Danu huffed at me, then replied waspishly, You’ll see. Don’t wait too long. Or say I didn’t tell you so.
“Sis, you’re embarrassing me. Put it away. He’s not going to hurt us. This is Keir. And as you can see, this is my crazy sister, Fiona,” Gal said in exasperation.
“No, what’s crazy is you and Granddad trusting strangers,” I hissed.
“We can’t stay out here all night. We’re exposed. Let’s get back to the house. There, we’ll sit with Galen and explain all this. If you feel better, you can keep your gun out, just don’t accidentally shoot me. Do you know how to use that thing?” The man, I mean Keir, asked.
“No, I don’t know how to use it. I just carry it because I need more weight in my damn purse and to have men asking me if I know how to use the damn thing,” I snapped. My sarcastic side was coming out. I was tired and wanted to go home, shower, and sleep.
An unexpected chuckle came from Keir. “So, you’re a smartass. Good to know. Let’s go, Fiona. It’s not safe for us to be standing here,” Keir stated.
Gal gently pushed me as he murmured, “Go. I swear, he’s here to help. He and his friend have been with us all afternoon.”
Suddenly, exhaustion hit even harder. My body sagged, even though I didn't want to show any weakness. I did lower my gun, but I didn’t put it away.
As we walked up to Keir, I swore I detected amusement, but then it was gone.
He turned to face the SUV and waved us forward.
I stopped and shook my head. Sighing, as if he were carrying a heavy burden, the man went ahead. He opened the front passenger door.
“Gal, ride in the back. Your sister needs to be up front where she can keep an eye on me.” A tinge of amusement colored his voice.