38. Shane
Chapter 38
Shane
“I s this inspired by what I think it is?” I ask, grinning at the multi-hued painting on the table. Kaycia started it yesterday, and now that I’m looking at it closely, the dabs and dots of colors are obviously the wildflower clearing from yesterday. I can’t fight my smile, remembering how eager Kaycia was for me to yank her shorts off and fuck her amid their blooms. The memory of her riding me, her scent mingling with the flowers, has me hard just thinking about it.
“It was pretty memorable, don’t you think?” Kaycia’s voice drifts from the bathroom where she’s finishing packing her bag for her return to the city. We decided it would be best if Jamila picks her up in her hatchback. As a human, she’s the least likely to be followed or traced to me.
“You promise you’re going to make it back in time for the exhibition?” Kaycia asks, this time standing behind the couch with her backpack. She bites her lip from nerves. She’s been getting antsy about her opening night. I’m not even sure she slept last night.
“Of course. I’d never miss it.” I try to force as much warmth and confidence into my smile as I can before pulling her into an embrace. “Jamila’s here.”
Kaycia looks around me toward the window with a furrowed brow. “There’s no car in the driveway—oh!” Jamila’s silver hatchback pulls around the bend in the driveway just as she’s questioning me. “Wolfie ears?”
“Yep,” I reply, tapping one of my ears before holding her close again, resting my chin on top of her head.
She holds me tight, then abruptly steps back with her head cocked and eyes narrowed. “Wait a minute. If your ears are that sensitive…what else have you overheard?” Her eyes widen and cheeks flush when I bite my lip and give her a sideways smile.
“I’ll head out early tomorrow morning just to be sure. I can hang out at Max’s beforehand.” I avoid answering, stepping out of her arms to grab her bag.
“Shane McKinley!” she gasps. “This conversation is not over.”
“Jamila’s waiting.” I fight my grin when I see her glare.
We walk out front to meet Jamila, who hops out of the driver’s seat to pop the hatch for us to stow Kaycia’s bag and the painting she’s taking back to the city. She’s finished the eponymous “Sunset Daydreams” in time to add to the exhibit.
“You excited?” Jamila asks, smiling at Kaycia. Kaycia’s excitement overrides her nerves and shines through when she grins back and nods.
“Yep! Just gotta drop this at the gallery and take a peek at what they’ve done. Then it’s almost time! Love you,” she adds, turning in my arms and kissing me. Jamila’s brows shoot up when she hears, but she just smiles at me and climbs in the car waving to me from the rolled-down window.
“I love you, too. I’ll see you tomorrow.” I press my forehead to hers, memorizing her scent. With one last embrace, I release Kaycia and step back up onto the deck to watch them drive away.
* * *
W hile watching the sunset with a cold beer on the patio, my phone buzzes. It’s another area code from my hometown, but an unfamiliar number.
If Lana gave my number to anyone else, I’m going to lose it.
“Hello?” I answer gruffly.
“Well, well, well…” A deep, masculine voice responds. “How the fuck are you, Shane McKinley?”
I’m fucked.
“Colton. How did you get this number?” I grind through the tension wrapping around my ribcage like a steel band. I listen hard, trying to see if I hear something familiar—the city, traffic, anything. The sound of a woman struggling in the background stops my heart. Suffocates me.
Is it Kaycia? I strain to listen.
“I have someone special here who gave it up.”
“Let me talk to her. Now.”
Colton chuckles, his nonchalance stoking my rage as the sounds of struggling get closer and louder.
“Let me go, you stupid son of a bitch! Shane? Shane! Don’t tell them where you are!” I’m relieved and terrified within a single breath.
It’s not Kaycia.
But it is my sister.
“Lana?” Her name rushes from my lips, but before she answers or I can say anything else, Colton is back on the line. The noise in the background makes it clear someone is dragging her somewhere they can keep her under control, her spits and snarls fading rapidly the farther they get from the phone. Colton must have several men keeping her bound or has drugged her somehow. Otherwise, she would have already shifted and taken off a hand, or more.
“So, McKinley. Are you going to do this the easy way and tell me where you are? I know you aren’t at your apartment. Where did you sneak off to with that pretty little human I hear you’ve been fucking?”
“So, it was your cowards who trashed her apartment and left me threats. Couldn’t just come find and face me yourself?”
“You’re the one in hiding. If anyone’s the coward it’s you ,” he snarls. “Here’s the offer. You tell me where you are and let me give you the punishment you deserve for what you did to my brother. Or, you can listen while I cut pieces off your pretty sister. Or maybe I’ll visit the little slut you’ve been seeing? One of my guys said she has an exhibit at that fancy gallery she’s been in and out of so much recently. Tomorrow, I believe? Kaycia Durand, right? Says on their website that it starts at 6:30. That’s convenient, even includes appetizers and an open bar. Is she with you right now? Think you can keep her safe?”
My mind spins. If Colton or his pack bust into the gallery there’s nothing I can do. I can’t risk them ruining her exhibition or reputation. I certainly can’t lose control or kill someone in front of a group of highbrow art collectors. If I tell him where I am and just face this, I can negotiate to leave her out of it. Lana’s already involved, but I can still protect Kaycia.
“Fine. I want to know you’ve pulled your guys from watching her. I want you to agree to let my sister go as soon as you see me. Then I’ll tell you.”
I can’t risk offering to meet him back at my parents’ place. If I did, then I would be the one breaking the exile and would be put to death. Plus, he can’t bring an entire pack with him if he comes to me.
At least this way I have a fighting chance.
Regret choking me, I sigh and think of Kaycia.
“Deal.”