Chapter 26 #2
I grabbed my clean jeans, laughing as I did. Maybe it was time to branch out with some different clothes.
Only after I got paid.
“Does the missus in your house have you on a short leash?” I teased.
He acted offended for a few seconds before leaning against the locker. “I will never get hitched. Not going to happen to this guy. But if you’re offering that tasty morsel of a veterinarian, I might be game.”
I snapped the wet towel against his leg, growling when I did.
“Hey!” he shouted.
“Touch her and you won’t need to worry about getting a girl.”
Steel rolled his eyes, his laughter fading. “I just wanted to say something to you, Viper.”
While the majority of Zullies had started to come around since the fire, there were still a few who kept a distance. Maybe they were worried my rage would make a return. Maybe I was as well.
“Yeah? What do you need to say?” I fastened and zipped my jeans, grabbing my shirt almost immediately.
“Axe told me how you handled the situation. He said you had a chance to walk away, maybe not get trapped at all, but you refused. You saved his life.”
“Isn’t that what I’m supposed to do?”
His laugh was halfhearted. “You might be surprised how many guys would think of themselves first. Axe drives me fucking up the wall, but he’s still my brother. After we lost William, my mother almost had a nervous breakdown. She couldn’t handle another tragedy. So thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Just don’t let it go your head.” His wide smile returned before he took a wide berth around me.
“Why does everyone keep saying that?” My laugh faded after he’d left the locker room. Not because I didn’t appreciate what he had to say. I was eager to get to Ziggy’s, which was only a couple of miles down the road. I was also more than eager to have the sensual woman in my arms all over again.
For several reasons.
The instinct I’d followed on the mountain wouldn’t allow me to rest. Not by a long shot. I couldn’t come off the precipice because some pieces weren’t fitting together. But I was positive I was right in my assumptions and determined to prove it.
I’d finally taken a shower, the conversation with the captain and the fire marshal weighing heavily on my mind.
What was interesting was that I’d found nothing on the man on the internet. Granted, the time I’d allotted had only been a few minutes. As it was, I was already going to be late. The last thing I wanted to do was to keep a lady waiting.
She’d have a field day tormenting me.
I hurriedly finished dressing, trying to figure out why the knot remained in my stomach. Grabbing my jump bag, I shoved the dirty clothes inside. Might as well take everything with me.
As I headed out, I glanced at the starry sky before pulling out my phone. The least I could do was to let her know I was on my way.
The phone rang.
And rang.
Finally, after the fifth ring, I got her voicemail.
That wasn’t unusual. She was probably on her way, listening to the satellite radio at full blast, or already dancing to the music at the bar.
“How is the lady of the house? Dog Doctor extraordinaire? I’m on my way, you bad girl.
Don’t flirt with anyone until I get there. ”
Sweet Jesus, I was awkward at flirting if not downright terrible.
The drive took no time and I was shocked at the number of vehicles already in the parking lot. I couldn’t see her truck, but there were way too many vehicles, people everywhere.
There were groups waiting outside, including a few smokejumpers. As I climbed out, the old hesitation rushed into my system, another stark reminder I wasn’t a party guy any longer. Sowing my wild oats had almost landed me in prison rather than in the Army.
I crossed the parking lot, fueled by desire and apprehension, even giving a fist bump to Raptor along the way.
“Hey, do you play basketball?” he asked before I passed.
“I’ve been known to shoot a basket or two. Why?” The frown on my face made him laugh.
“Nothing weird, dude. Some of the guys head to the court outside the high school from time to time. You interested?”
“Maybe. We’ll see.”
“That’s right,” he teased. You gotta ask the little woman. Ball and chain.”
How things had changed in a few short days. Winking, I backed away a few steps. “At least I have a woman.”
The other guys made a collective ‘ooohhh’ sound, which prompted Raptor to flip them off. I was in a much better mood than I thought possible.
Even if the nagging continued.
“You did good, Viper,” some guy I’d never seen said as I passed.
“Team effort,” I retorted.
“Yeah, but you’re local hero now.”
“Welcome to Missoula. What a way to show off your stuff,” another threw out.
“Glad to be here.” And I was.
It was a full five minutes before I made it to the entrance. But that was okay. For the first time in how the fuck long, I almost felt as if I belonged.
Once inside, I was blown away by the number of people on a Monday evening. It was instantly obvious why everyone was here.
The Zullies.
Hell, there were signs and freaking decorations everywhere. Even balloons. Really?
Cheers broke out, a few people applauding. I’d never been so damn uncomfortable in my life. As I made my way through, a beer was suddenly placed in my hand. Laughter was everywhere, the music up way too loud.
Everyone was in a damn good mood.
I moved through the crowd, sipping my beer and trying to avoid eye contact until I noticed Axe and Rock standing with a few other people.
Rock nodded as I approached. “I thought you might have skipped out.”
“Nah, just had a few things to take care of. Have you guys seen a gorgeous blonde standing about this tall with a killer body and even nicer smile?” I had my hand out indicating her height. I’d be damned if Rock didn’t plant a sultry smile on his face.
“No, but if you get tired of her, send her my way.”
“How many men am I going to need to kill before the night is finished?”
All three of us laughed while I scanned the crowd in hopes of seeing Grace swaggering toward me with that look on her face.
“Did she stand you up, maybe for a real man?” Axe tossed out, his grin just as evil as before.
“Not this man. But don’t worry. I’ll hunt her down.” And I would. As I looked around the bar again, grateful I had an advantage because I was so tall, my muscles tightened. It was almost seven-twenty. The girl was never late.
“Hey, thanks for the recommendation with that hot woman of yours. I know Kenzie already called to make an appointment for Frosty.”
“Did she talk with her?” I had to admit I was getting antsy.
“Not sure, but you can ask her. Hey, do you want to see Frosty snuggling in his new bed?” Axe’s voice had changed in pitch and tone, much like the cooing Grace did around the dogs.
Both Rock and I looked at each other, shaking our heads. Maybe a little TMI.
“Sure,” I said, “why not.” Why burst Axe’s bubble?
In seeing him flip through at least twelve pictures, I had to rationalize that Grace and I could turn out that way as dog parents. What was so wrong with that?
“Here you go. Isn’t he adorable? The poor creature did have surgery though. If I didn’t know better, I’d say he’d been shot.”
I glanced at the picture as a girl inched closer to Axe from behind, tweaking him on the butt. He immediately responded by wrapping his arm around her, pulling her close. “What did you say?” Had he just said he thought the dog we’d rescued had been shot?
My nerves were instantly on edge.
“Hey, honey,” she cooed. “Showing off our baby again?”
“Yes, Kenzie darling.” Axe was beyond being in love. I could tell by every action he took. “Did you talk to Dr. Monroe when you called her?”
“No, I had to leave a message, why?” She narrowed her eyes.
“The man who saved my life was asking.” Axe was grinning from ear to ear. In my wildest dreams I never would have thought this side of the man would exist.
She rushed toward me, throwing her arms around my neck. “Thank you for saving this crazy, pain-in-the-ass man.”
While I smiled, my thoughts were miles away as I tried not to make something out of nothing.
At the same time, given the angle of the way I was standing in the hug, I was offered a closer view of Frosty.
“That’s fine.” While I wasn’t trying to be rude, I pushed her away and snatched the phone from his hand.
Dear God.
No. This was crazy. Impossible. Or was it?
“Hey,” Axe chided, but noticed my face. “What is it?”
“I know that dog. He was already seen by Grace a few days ago. The guy he came in with was the one I mentioned at the base. The pup had supposedly been shot.”
Both Rock and Axe stepped closer, Axe glancing at the photograph. “You’re talking about the guy with the ballcap?”
“Yeah. I need to find Grace. She can confirm it.”
“Why would you take an injured dog with you on a hike?”
“He didn’t,” I gritted out. “The dog was used as a lure.”
“For who?” Axe’s eyes darted back and forth across mine.
“Me.” The motherfucker didn’t like that I was there to protect her. Oh, my fucking God.
“Viper?” Another woman’s voice caught my attention.
I swung around, almost knocking into her. Narrowing my eyes, I had to corral my thoughts before I managed to recognize her. “Darlene. Right?’
“Yes. Where is Grace?” She was as nervous as I was. “Is she here? I need to talk to her. It’s very important.” Her voice was shaking.
“She hasn’t gotten here yet. Why?”
She chewed on her lower lip and I was in her face so fast, her eyes opened wide. “She called and left a strange message, but there was a dog barking in the background and I could barely hear her.”
Exhaling, my entire body stiffened. “Did she say anything?” Something was wrong. I could feel it.
“Something about a group of letters and a restraining order. Did she tell you about the lighter she found on the ranch?”
“What lighter?”
“It was by the river near the old bar. My father ran it for fingerprints. There was a name of a bar on the surface, so she went there asking questions.”
“What?”
“What’s going on?” Axe asked.