Chapter 25 #2
“Bingo. The guy didn’t want to go on record as you might imagine.
A lot of money changes hands, to the tune of millions.
His life would be in danger. However, he did provide just enough proof that both the FBI and the DOJ will be very interested in delving into the accusations.
Given the increasing tension in various watchdog organizations determined to protect shifters, the article itself will be a bombshell.
The ripple effect will be devastating for everyone involved. ”
The way he was looking at me, I sensed he meant Matt would crumble with the explosion. “Understood.”
“Then I am happy to tell you Tom is frothing at the mouth.”
I took a deep breath, holding it as tiny frissons of excitement rolled through me. “That sounds amazing.”
“However, I’m not going to be writing the article.”
“What? But I thought you said…”
James knitted his eyebrows together. “You’re going to write that article. Don’t worry. I’ll be your liaison. That is if you’re still willing after everything you’ve heard to put your reputation on the line. Of course you’ll be paid the going rate, which according to Tom, won’t be too bad.”
“Willing? Are you kidding me? Both barrels of my shotgun are loaded. I only shoot when I see the whites of their eyes.”
“I think that gives me a pretty good indication.”
“I am ready and eager to bury the sons-of-bitches.”
“Beck is definitely your mate. You’ll willing to do anything to protect him as I’m sure he would do for you.”
Was he trying to persuade me that everything would be okay or issue his usual warning about things in the universe?
Whatever the case, I was still lost in thought on both his upcoming fatherhood and the fact I was writing an article for a paper who’d won more awards for excellence than Edward R. Murrow.
“He already has.”
“He’s a lucky man, Sloane. Just remember that you aren’t going to make any friends. In fact, you could place yourself and that mate of yours in danger as well. Plus, there’s always a chance the Hellions won’t like being shoved front and center given the franchise’s recent approval.”
“Oh, I think Beck and his family can handle the heat. With a fire of their own. Plus, I have a few other plans in mind to ensure the Hellions are also protected.”
When James stood, so did I. “You’re exactly the same as you were in college,” he told me. “Tenacious as hell. Welcome to the team, Ms. Winters. It’ll be a pleasure working with you.”
* * *
What was that expression? Something about hell hath no fury like a woman scorned? At this point, all that mattered to the woman inside was getting justice.
Okay, maybe revenge.
With that in mind, before I’d left North Bend early that morning in yet another rental car, I’d made a few phone calls. I’d had to do so clandestinely since James had been one hundred percent right about Beck’s possessiveness.
He’d refused to leave me alone for more than ten minutes. Time in the bathroom alone had been a rarity. His personality was much more than a dog with a bone, tenacious as hell. He’d acted as if sex was all he could think about.
If so much hadn’t been at stake, we’d be rolling around in the muck right now.
Wasn’t that a pleasant thought?
I tried to act carefree as I headed into the building, yet the knots in my stomach were for an entirely different reason than before.
What I was about to do could backfire, destroying the little trust I’d rebuilt with Beck. The worst part was that I wasn’t a salesperson, unless the people buying hungered for someone to shove the product down their throat.
Which at this point, I would happily do.
However, I’d need to curtail my usual personality for one that catered to that old boys’ club James had mentioned. While I’d fluffed my hair and had worn extra makeup, I’d refused to put on heels, choosing my flaming red Converse high-tops to accompany a bright red pantsuit I’d treated myself to.
If the boys didn’t like what I was wearing, tough.
I found the directory, taking several deep breaths as I went over my limited presentation one more time. With my mate hovering around, I’d had very little time to put any numbers together. I only hoped I wasn’t completely off the mark. If so, well…
Nope. I certainly wasn’t the kind of woman to accept defeat. I’d push on until the idea was down their throats.
Maybe I should have been a serial killer all along.
As I walked in through the double doors, I could tell the girl behind the desk had been expecting me.
“Ms. Winters?”
“Yes.”
“Right this way. They’re expecting you.”
This should be interesting. At least even as my mate, he couldn’t read my mind.
Or could he?
* * *
I could always feel Beck’s presence behind me. Always. At first, me being me, a girl who’d lived alone since she was eighteen, I’d been annoyed. I’d pushed him away, learning to lock the bathroom door.
We’d gotten into more bickering matches in the last two days than before when we’d actively hated each other. Yet we’d always ended every argument with a little hot nookie.
Usually with me being pushed up against a wall.
As always, my skin prickled from both heat and an abundance of electricity. It was as if I had my index finger permanently stuck in an electric socket.
However, this Friday afternoon was a bit different. We were going to his parents’ house for a little barbecue with people from their neighborhood. Not all of them shifters either.
Maybe all along I’d been one of those people who’d believed something deep in the darkest recesses of my mind shifters weren’t normal people. That they didn’t enjoy typical human activities like having a few people over for cocktails and raw meat.
Oops. Barbecued meat.
I often amused myself.
The article was to appear on the front page of the Portland Herald on Sunday. Sunday was one day a huge number of people still purchased actual newspapers. I’d worked very closely with James to push the article on hyper overdrive.
I had hopes that the timing would work out, especially since the meeting I’d had after seeing James again for the first time hadn’t necessarily gone as planned.
I’d been sick about it ever since.
The only thing that could save Beck and Ford’s career was the article.
There was pressure being placed on the Hellions by the board of governors for the NHL.
Including threats of placing them on suspension.
I didn’t believe that would fly in court, but the damage done in the world of sports would still be tremendous.
That much I’d learned through the grapevine.
“You can’t touch the merchandise,” I told him when he closed the distance.
“And why not?” He did so anyway, placing his hands on my shoulders. His touch brought a wave of heat.
“Because we’re due at your parents’ house in twenty minutes.”
“Where do you think all the little pups running around came from? Do I need to have a conversation with you about the birds and the bees?”
I spun around to face him. “So Georgia is having twins?”
He seemed surprised. “Yes, why?”
“So is James’ wife.”
His eyes narrowed. “I think it’s a little premature to worry about how many pups we’ll have.”
“I didn’t say that’s what I was worried about.”
“You’re a terrible liar. However, you’ll have a chance to mention that to Georgia, the soon to be doctor at the party. Including about the birds and bees.”