Chapter 5 #2
Major stood at the edge of the dock while opening the map.
Of course, the two empty rentals weren’t the closest properties.
He needed to get a look at them, and the best way to do that was to shift to his Eagle.
Until Tabitha was finished sparring, he would have to wait.
He strolled the grounds, his eyes trained on the woods for any type of movement.
When he found none other than squirrels and birds, Major headed back to the house.
His phone alerted him to someone at the gate.
He changed views to that feed, and an older woman was retrieving a suitcase from the trunk of the car idling outside the barrier.
Perry met her and punched in the code. Assuming she was the cook, Major continued on to the house.
Daniel was still sitting on the patio, but the man had fallen asleep.
Major kept his steps silent so as not to wake him.
Within a few minutes, Perry and the lady entered through the side door.
“Ah, Major. Allow me to introduce you to Florence. She’s our saving grace.”
“It’s a pleasure, Florence.”
“Likewise, Mr. Lazlo.” Her smile was genuine, and Major liked her already.
The camera alert sounded again, and Major pulled up the app to see what caused it.
Two figures were walking through the woods down by the lake.
He headed to the back door and told Perry, “Someone’s by the lake.
Keep everyone inside until I get back. Lock the doors and turn on the alarm.
” When he exited the back door, he woke Daniel and informed him of the situation. “Please go inside and stay there.”
Daniel picked up the glass on the small table and downed the contents before doing as Major instructed.
Major internally cursed him as he stumbled to the back door.
When he was inside, Major ran down the steps and toward the woods in the direction the strangers had passed by the camera.
When he grew close, he paused and listened.
“My mom will kill me if she figures out who took the vodka.”
“Nah. We’ll fill the bottle with water and put it back where we found it.”
Fucking kids. Major quietly stalked toward the conversation and found two teenagers passing a bottle back and forth, taking swigs of the clear liquor.
“You’re trespassing on private property,” he said, adding some bass to his voice. Both kids squeaked, and the one holding the bottle dropped it.
“Damn, dude. Where did you come from?” the instigator asked.
“Doesn’t fucking matter. What matters is you’re trespassing. You have two options. One, you get the hell out of here and don’t come back. Two, you come back, and I’ll drag you by the ear to your house and tell your mother about your underage drinking habits.”
“Option one.” The non-instigating boy leaned over to pick up the bottle.
“Leave it.” When he opened his mouth to argue, Major took a menacing step forward. “That’s the price you pay for stealing something that doesn’t belong to you. Now, get out of here.”
The two teens scrambled away and took off in the direction they’d come from.
Major waited until he could no longer see them to grab the vodka.
It wasn’t even the good kind, but to kids, that didn’t matter.
Major grimaced as he poured the rest out.
If it had been top shelf, he would have kept it.
When he got back to the house, Tabitha was waiting.
She unarmed the alarm and opened the door.
“Everything okay?”
Major held up the empty bottle. “Yep. Two teenagers stole a bottle of their mom’s vodka and were hiding in our woods to drink it. At least we know the cameras are working.” Major walked to the pantry and tossed the bottle in the recycling bin.
“Is it safe?” Florence asked from the hallway off the kitchen where her bedroom was.
“Yep. It was a couple of kids.”
“Good. I’m making pork roast for supper, and I’d like to get started.”
Tabitha grabbed Major’s hand. “We’ll leave you to it.” She led him downstairs to the game room.
“Where is everyone?”
Tabitha faced Major, still clutching his hand. “They retreated to their rooms until we give the all-clear. While we have a minute, did you read the email from Nikita?”
Major rubbed his thumb across the back of Tabitha’s hand. “I did. What was your take on the Kilbrooks’ missing information?”
“Hold that thought.” Tabitha reached behind his head with her free hand and tugged him down for a kiss.
When her tongue brushed his lips, he opened for her.
Fuck, his girl’s mouth was made for all kinds of sin.
Major snaked one arm around her waist, pulling her braid with the other.
With her head angled back, Major released his fangs and scraped them against the pale flesh of her neck.
Tabby moaned, the vibration a direct line to his dick.
Major released her, taking a step back. “What was that for? Not that I’m complaining.”
“Leftover adrenaline from sparring.”
“How’d that go? I overheard Craig saying he was going to watch.”
“Trista is a quick learner, so my time with her was well-spent. Craig couldn’t keep his mouth shut about her form, so I told him if he thought he could do better to meet me on the mat.”
“And did he?”
“Yep. He found himself on his back more than once.”
Major barked out a laugh. “You are too sexy, Tabitha Stone.”
She reached up and thumbed one of his sharp teeth hard enough to draw blood. Tabby licked the red liquid, eyeing him the whole time.
“Are you trying to kill me?” Major retracted his fangs as he grabbed her hand and sucked her thumb into his mouth, swirling his tongue around the cut.
Her eyes fluttered as the wound healed. “Sorry,” she whispered. “I—"
“No.” Major pressed his fingertips to her lips. “Nothing to be sorry for. I get it. After this job is over, you and I are taking at least a week off and going somewhere private.”
“Promise?”
Major pressed his lips to her forehead. “Promise. I overheard Daniel and Craig talking earlier. Daniel asked Craig about knowing Brad, and he was adamant he didn’t.”
“You would think if he did, he would be truthful with his uncle. It’s Daniel’s job to keep him out of trouble. I’m wondering about the fact that the Trio can’t trace their true identities. Maybe they were in witness protection.”
“If that’s the case, do you really think Craig would have become an actor? Someone in the public eye where he can be found easily?”
Tabitha leaned against the poker table. “No, but any other reason wouldn’t make sense either. Not with him being so visible.”
“Do you think I should voice him and find out the truth?”
“It would be the fastest way to get to the bottom of this. At least if we know for sure whether he and Brad have had previous dealings and what they are, we’ll be better equipped to handle what comes next.
The studio isn’t going to wait forever to start filming.
According to Perry, moving here was a short reprieve to give the cops time to find out why Brad attacked Craig and if someone else is coming to finish the job.
He spoke to the director who was in touch with the detectives, and Brad still isn’t talking. ”
“Then let’s go tell them the coast is clear. The first opportunity I get, I’ll ask him.”