Chapter 6
Collect Call
SOPHIE
Pru Albright, my friend from culinary school, checks her phone.
“The guys will be here any minute.” Her fangs catch slightly on her bottom lip, the only visible sign she’s a vampire.
Pru quickly tucks them inside her mouth, ensuring any non-super in the vicinity would think she’s just a cute redhead with green eyes and a smattering of freckles in designer jeans.
“I wonder why they’re running so late,” says Cassia, stunning as always, her long blonde hair cascading down her back.
She’s wearing a short purple dress that I know is a size two, because I was with her when she bought it.
My curvier size ten means we can never swap clothes; it’s a good thing she’s my bestie and I love her, because otherwise I’d hate her.
When we were teens I struggled with jealousy because the hottest guy in high school—and my secret crush—pursued Cassia until she finally agreed to date him.
Eventually she married him, but her new husband turned out to be as selfish as he was handsome.
I’d dodged a bullet named Derek Taylor, but poor Cassia wound up with a broken heart.
My cousin now works two jobs to make ends meet after Derek dumped her and their daughter so he could go to Hollywood.
Last I heard, he’s an extra on a couple of dog food commercials.
Everyone in our family helps Cassia and her daughter as much as we can, trying to make up for all the hurt Derek has caused them. My mom is babysitting Olivia tonight so Cassia can have a rare night out with Pru and me.
I turn to Pru with a wry smile. “So tell me about this guy you think is my type.” We’re waiting outside on the dock for a table to open up at Pru’s favorite water-front restaurant in Sturgeon Bay, a non-super town about thirty minutes south of Riddle Hill.
The crescent moon casts a blurry reflection in the harbor below us.
We’re still fully glamoured even though night has fallen; it’s the law. Don’t show your fangs, fur, wings, or tails in front of non-supers. Ever.
Secrecy keeps supers safe.
Pru smirks. “If I weren’t already in love with Vreeland, I’d snap Rafe up in a heartbeat.”
“Please elaborate!” I arch an eyebrow and grin.
“Rafe’s a tall, dashing werewolf with bodybuilder muscles and hair black as ink. He’s a personal trainer, the hunky kind that rich ladies hire so they can ogle him while they’re working out. He’s also the silent type, so you’ll need to chat him up to learn about his personal life.”
“How did Vreeland and Rafe meet?” asks Cassia.
“They work out at the same fitness club.”
Cassia frowns, chewing her bottom lip. “That’s a bit unusual, don’t you think? Werewolves and vampires rarely frequent the same clubs.”
Pru shrugs. “Rafe moved to Sturgeon Bay in late spring. Vreeland says he’s planning on joining a pack in the vicinity but hasn’t gotten around to it yet. For now, he’s hanging out with the vamps.”
Cassia catches my eye and gives me one of her “stranger danger” warning gazes.
Every super knows that lone wolves are often bad news, and any wolves hoping to relocate are supposed to check in with the local alpha within a few days…
not weeks or months. I realize Cassia means well, and she’s been through the ringer with her ex, but I don’t need her mothering me.
I get more than enough of that from my actual mother.
I’m sure Rafe has his reasons for biding his time, and I’m not going to let that faze me. “Rafe sounds cool… and maybe a bit deadly.”
Pru and I chortle, but Cassia looks away uneasily. I wish she’d lighten up; it’s not like I’m going to marry the guy. I simply want to date someone I find attractive, and if he’s got a little edge to him, so what?
“Who’s deadly?” asks a low, gravelly voice from behind me. “Do I need to sharpen my claws?”
I turn toward the newcomer and wind up taking a step back.
Since he’s arrived with Vreeland and Julien, my vampire guy friends, and I can see the wolf hovering beneath the gold flecks of his brown eyes, I assume this is Rafe.
Dressed all in black, he’s every bit as muscular and dashing as Pru said, with his tousled dark hair and square, stubbled jaw.
A jagged pink scar mars one pale cheek, and I get the distinct impression Rafe solves his problems with his fists, which doesn’t bother me the way it would bother Cassia.
I prefer action over words anyway, even if that sometimes gets me into trouble.
This guy’s giving off bad-boy vibes from here to Milwaukee, but I’m not worried. My magic may not always behave, but I’m a strong faerie and can take care of myself.
As Rafe waits for my reply, he casts his eyes over me and smirks.
My heart speeds up at the way his gaze sharpens, as if he’s ravenous…
for little ole me. Okay, a teensy warning bell just tinkled inside my head.
I’m going to have to slow this werewolf’s roll; Rafe needs to know who’s in charge, and it’s definitely not him.
“I’m deadly,” I reply, folding my arms across my chest. “So don’t cross me, wolf.”
That earns a guffaw from Rafe. He grins down at me. “So I’ve been warned.”
“Oh really.” I glance over at Pru, who gives me a wink; apparently she’s told Rafe something about me.
I just hope she didn’t overshare. She’s leaning against Vreeland Silva, her fiancé, a cute vampire with long brown hair and eyes that twinkle with humor.
Pru has good-natured Vreeland wrapped around her gel-tipped pinky.
Vreeland sweeps his free arm in the air, making the introductions. “Rafaellus MacTire, this is Sophie Spellman Brownlee and her cousin, Cassia Spellman.”
Rafe smiles first at Cassia and then at me, his eyes lingering on my face before slowly scanning the rest of me. He’s taking his time checking me out, and I’m turning pink from the extra attention.
Cassia holds up the blinking pager. “Looks like our table’s ready.
” She falls into step beside Julien Drakus, whose dark good looks are every bit as appealing as Rafe’s.
He and Cassia are good friends but nothing more; Julien is the only photographer Cassia will hire when she’s planning a wedding, her side gig when she’s not working at my parents’ restaurant.
As a top-notch supernatural photographer, Julien returns the favor, sending plenty of business Cassia’s way.
They also share a similar personal history that’s solidified their friendship; Julien’s supermodel ex-wife left him and their young son a couple years ago.
Rafe saunters alongside me, his muscled arm brushing against mine. “I hear you’ll be opening a bakery soon in Riddle Hill. How’s it going?”
“Oh… things are a bit messy right now. The shop’s interior is still under construction.” An understatement, but technically true. Wrinkling my nose, I recall Leslie T. Barker. “Unfortunately I’m also dealing with a rather thorny legal issue.”
“A legal issue?” Rafe grins, his teeth flashing white as we take our seats. “And here I thought you were an honest faerie.” His tone is light, but I sense a steely toughness beneath his smooth exterior that leaves me feeling slightly breathless and unsettled.
Averting my eyes, I scan the menu the server handed me, unwilling to let Rafe see he’s unnerving me.
No one rattles Sophie Spellman Brownlee, the most fearsome faerie to barely graduate from Riddle Hill High.
More than a decade later, my pranks have become the stuff of legend, although in retrospect, I’ll admit I went too far with my last stunt.
I wouldn’t have graduated if my parents hadn’t paid for the damages to our science lab and offered free meals to anyone whose clothes were ruined by my exploding lime-green super goo.
“I’m an honest businesswoman,” I reply coolly, closing the menu.
“Of course you are.” Rafe gives a growly chuckle.
I glare at him, but his eyes are twinkling with humor; he’s obviously teasing.
Leaning against the back of the chair, I can see I have an audience.
Everyone around the table, even my cousin, is waiting for me to explain.
“My elderly auntie left me an inheritance along with one very unpleasant employee.”
Cassia quirks an eyebrow. I give her a little head shake; I know she’ll pepper me with questions later, but for now she’ll remain discreetly silent.
“Ah.” Rafe replies knowingly. “If your employee’s bothering you, I’ll be happy to show ’em who’s the boss.”
An image of Rafe and Teddy locked in gruesome werewolf combat pops into my head. I don’t think Teddy, the infuriating cleanliness freak, would survive the encounter. My throat goes dry; I may not like Teddy, but I certainly don’t wish him bodily harm.
Waving my hand, I say breezily. “No need; it’s nothing I can’t handle.”
“Well if you change your mind, let me know.” Rafe smirks. “I’ll gladly manhandle anyone who gets in your way.”
Cassia scowls at Rafe’s somewhat menacing statement, but it’s obvious he’s flirting. Enjoying this little game with Rafe, I shrug. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
The dinner conversation focuses mostly on Pru and Vreeland’s August wedding, which Cassia is planning and Julien is photographing, and the upcoming bridal shower that Cassia has offered to coordinate on my behalf because I have zero organizational skills.
As Pru’s maid of honor, I’m still in charge of the bachelorette party, but I’m leaning heavily on Cassia for advice; I’m not proud when it comes to asking for help and would even consider asking Teddy Barker, if he weren’t so self-righteous.
About the only person at the table without a role in the wedding is Rafe, who listens politely.
His eyes drift over in my direction every so often, causing my palms to grow sweaty with nerves.
After dinner, everyone lingers over decaf cappuccinos and dessert. Rafe and I decide to split a slice of lemon cake. “I’d like to see you again, Sophie,” he murmurs, lifting the last bite to his mouth.
“I’d like that too,” I say with a smile, despite a flutter of misgivings deep in my gut, which I blame on the stranger-danger glares Cassia keeps casting my way.
Rafe asks for my number and promptly sends me his contact info. Since I always turn down the volume when I’m having dinner, I pull out my mobile to confirm Rafe’s text came through. But what pops up causes me to inhale sharply.
“Anything wrong?” asks Rafe.
Cassia overhears him and glances at me, a small line creasing her brow. “What’s up?”
“I… I’m not sure,” I sputter. “I’ve received a couple of collect calls in the past hour, plus two voicemails—one of which is from your brother.”
“Jake left a message?” Cassia’s shoulders hunch as she retrieves her phone, probably worried in case it concerns her daughter. Scanning the screen, she releases the breath she’s been holding, visibly more relaxed. “He hasn’t called me.”
“Collect calls… Who does that anymore?” Pru wonders aloud.
Rafe shrugs. “Inmates need to make collect calls from jail.”
A twisty feeling settles in the pit of my stomach. My family and friends are all a law-abiding bunch; I can’t imagine any of them calling me from a jail cell. But… I’ve recently acquired a ridiculous new acquaintance. Has blasted Teddy Barker gotten himself arrested?
Nah. Impossible. Teddy is so squeaky clean I doubt he drives above the speed limit.
I rise from the table. “I’m sorry everyone, but I’d better be going. Something’s obviously up, possibly with the bakery.”
Rafe stands as well, pulling out my chair. “I hope everything’s alright.”
Cassia waves goodbye to our friends and joins me. We head to my car so we can listen to the messages in private.
The first is from Jake. “Hey Soph. I don’t mean to startle you, but one of your neighbors reported a burglary in progress at your place.
I was chatting with Marv and Sam outside the police station, and when I heard the call come in and your address, I followed them in my car.
” My cousin Jake is the mayor of Riddle Hill, and the fire chief, and alpha of the local pack.
If he wants to join the police on one of their calls, no one argues.
“We apprehended a strange werewolf in your cottage who claims he’s your employee and…
ah… your roommate. He was wearing nothing but boxers when we found him.
I honestly think he may have some screws loose.
Alright, call me when you get this message. ”
I pound my forehead against the steering wheel and mutter, “I don’t believe this.”
Cassia shudders. “What a creep, to be lurking inside your cottage in his underwear!”
I don’t bother explaining about Teddy Barker just yet.
I scroll to the voicemail left by someone at the SIU, which I’m guessing is the Supernatural Incarceration Unit at the Riddle Hill police station, and hit playback.
There’s a lot of static, and then I hear Teddy’s muffled voice; I have to raise the volume because he’s speaking so softly.
He doesn’t sound nearly as sure of himself as he did earlier this afternoon, when he was shoving Auntie Dragonfly’s will in my face.
“Hi, um… it’s Teddy. I hope you’re having a good dinner and that you get this message…
The thing is…. um, I got arrested. I swear I did nothing wrong.
I was minding my own business, cleaning my room, and suddenly two cops charged into your home and arrested me.
Can you, er… can you please come bail me out and give me a lift back to the cottage?
I promise to pay you back.” Teddy’s voice hitches.
“I’m sorry. Really, truly sorry. But I don’t have anyone else I can call. I’ll make it up to you. I promise.”
Groaning, I close my eyes and lean my head against the car seat. Twelve months. Three hundred and sixty-five days. A whole year of dealing with Teddy Freaking Barker.
Cassia stares at me as I hang up the phone. “What’s happening? Who was that?”
“Do you remember the summer we turned ten and stayed with Auntie Dragonfly for two whole weeks?” I wait for her to give me a hesitant nod before continuing. “And I accidentally broke Auntie’s Royal Vienna iridescent porcelain vase?”
Cassia’s eyes widen. “Ye-es. She’d warned you not to run through the gallery.”
“And Auntie was so mad she said I’d have to pay for it?”
“I remember. It was worth over forty thousand dollars, and you burst into tears when she handed you the bill.”
Rubbing my temples, I mumble through my clenched jaw, “Auntie Dragonfly has found a way to make me pay—over and over and over.”
“What are you talking about?” prods Cassia, sounding exasperated with my rambling.
“Leslie T. Barker is Auntie’s final revenge.”