Chapter 4
JAKE
Aweek has passed since he made contact and we aren’t any closer to arresting him than before.
Parker is running himself ragged checking our systems for any possible way to find this guy.
Thankfully our phones didn’t have a breach.
We still don’t know how he found out about her date at the ice rink with Liam.
Logan arrived today and we’re going to lay out our next steps.
Having him on our side will be invaluable especially when we’re trying to arrest this asshole.
Though the small, alpha part of my brain believes that’s not enough.
I can’t let myself go down that road. Keelan already said something along those lines the other day.
No one said anything to negate it. I think we’re all feeling it and want this to be over for Thea.
If we can link him to Connor’s murder then he’ll go away for good.
If it’s only a stalking charge, then we could be dealing with this all over again in a few years.
Right now, it’s just Logan and me in the dining room.
Keelan, Parker, and Eli are working elsewhere in the house.
Thea was in my nook area last I saw her.
Though I guess now it’s turned into our nook.
I’m definitely not mad about it. That was always my little spot to retreat to within the house and having her scent now imbedded there has made it so much better.
Logan looks just the same as when I last saw him three years ago.
If only a little more haggard. His blue eyes, similar to Ben’s in their iciness, are dull.
His dark brown hair, verging on black, is in its normal short style, though not as neat as he normally had it when working a job.
I was surprised how happy I was to see him again.
Closing the door on my previous career naturally led to a decline in the relationships I had with most coworkers there.
All except Logan. He’s my oldest friend, even longer than I’ve known everyone in the pack.
The files he brought are laid out on the table in front of us. He’s clearly done a deep dive into Mark Henderson. Before we get into it, he says, “I’ve called in Campbell’s team for security. They’re on their way, should be here tomorrow.”
I groan. “You’ve got to be kidding me. Why them?!”
“First, short notice. And second, they’re good at their job. You know that.”
“Don’t give me logic. Usually that’s my job,” I say jokingly. “I just can’t stand them, or rather Taz. I have no idea how you get along so well with them.”
He laughs. “You’re too serious for someone like Taz. Which is interesting since your pack has its fair share of jokesters.”
“I guess you’re right. Surprised you haven’t just joined their pack by now,” I say before immediately regretting it.
The silence is thick in the air. Logan has never been in a pack.
I shouldn’t have brought it up. “I’m sorry, bad joke.
” He nods in response and we move on. Based on what Thea has told us, Connor and Logan felt the same longing for a pack but nothing ever happened.
At least Connor had Thea. I know Logan will find a pack with how much time he spends at work.
My bet has always been it’d be someone from there but who knows when that’ll happen.
Connor never got a chance to have that pack connection.
It fuels the anger I already felt on behalf of Thea, now for Connor.
He should have been part of our pack, a brother, and he was robbed of that chance.
Henderson needs to pay for everything he’s done.
Redirecting the conversation, I ask, “So what conclusion have you come to on him?”
“I agree with you. He checks all the boxes. The next step is our trip to Florida to interview his former pack mates. They’ll provide some good background our research couldn’t find, but I think we may get a useful lead on Mark Henderson from them. Especially from the beta he’s still bonded to.”
Well I’m glad he’s confirmed my instincts were good. At least I haven’t gotten too rusty in the years out of service. “Have you set up the interview with them yet?” I ask as I look over some of the documents he brought.
Logan scoffs. “Of course. Monday afternoon. That way you’re here when Campbell’s team arrives tomorrow. I did have to arrange it under a cover. I got the impression they would not be willing to meet to discuss Henderson. I’ve arranged for our flights out Sunday.”
“You’re leaving?” Thea’s voice rings through the air, making my stomach drop at how sad she sounds. I look to Logan, whose face screams that he wants to be anywhere but here.
“I need to grab something from the car,” Logan says quickly and nearly runs out of the room. Thea’s eyes stayed on mine. Her brows pinched together, mouth frowning.
Standing, I make my way over to her. “We need to talk to his former pack mates; it could give us a lead.”
“Why do you have to go? Logan can do that, right? What if something happens? He could find out you’re there and do something like he did to Connor,” she says desperately, hands fisting at the hem of her shirt and her voice breaking at the end.
I reach out to tilt her head up to look at me. “I have to do this, for you. This is my way of taking care of you. I need to do this.” I can’t seem to find the right words to express why I need to do this so badly. Please understand Thea.
She looks into my eyes, as if searching for something before sighing. “Is this related to the story you told me about your last case?”
Surprise washes over me as I take a step back. Is that why this is so important? Of course the main reason is about protecting Thea, but maybe it is related to that case. A way to make amends. “Maybe.” I run my hand over my face, my exhaustion catching up to me.
She grabs it and squeezes it. “How long will you be gone?”
“A few days. Should be back by the end of the week the latest. I promise.” I squeeze her hand back, taking in her hazel eyes. Pulling her into a hug, I whisper, “Thank you.”
She tightens her arms around me in response.
I have three days before our flight out.
I need to try and do something special with her before then.
We never got a chance to have our date before all of this happened.
But first, I need to deal with Campbell’s team arriving.
Then hopefully I’ll be able to spend some time with Thea.
We’re all waiting out on the front porch in the cold for Campbell’s team, who should be arriving any minute now.
Most of the pack weren’t too happy that a bunch of alphas would be arriving and staying here to look after our omega.
Even Micah grumbled about it. Ben, ever the peacemaker, had a brilliant idea they could stay in the rental house now that it’s empty again.
Well, empty of residents since it still has the furnishings Thea bought.
We only moved out her personal items so far.
We must be a sight, eight men, seven of which are alphas, and one short curvy omega, standing outside like a receiving line.
Laughing under my breath as I catch a glimpse of their SUV pulling up the drive.
I look over at Logan, who’s already descending the steps to meet them as they pull up.
Ugh, I guess I should join him since I’m the only member of the pack that knows these guys.
All of the guys on their team are ex-military, though for different countries.
I never did find out how they ended up a pack.
Harrison Campbell is from the UK, Taz Australia, Ren Canada, and River the US.
Somehow, they work together both as a team and as a pack.
Logan and I have worked with them in the past when they were needed for certain cases.
I never maintained any kind of contact though after we were done working together.
Logan, on the other hand, did. He’s good friends with Campbell, who isn’t that bad of a guy. It’s Taz that ruins it.
Speaking of him, he bursts out of the passenger back seat.
His bulky frame stretches, likely from the long drive.
His dirty blond hair is cut shorter this time with a short barely-there beard.
Guess he’s trying to be more rugged in his look.
Ren quietly exits the passenger side, side-eying Taz.
Wonder what that’s about? Ren, the beta of their pack, seems pretty much the same as the last time I saw him.
His black hair still has that shaggy long on top type of cut.
Campbell comes around the front of the car and greets Logan. Similar to Ren, he’s basically the same, though he’s also sporting a short beard. He pulls it off better than Taz, a dig I will save for an opportune moment when Taz deserves it most.
He turns to me and I greet him with a handshake.
“Thanks for coming, we appreciate it.” I may not like them, specifically Taz, but I am glad they’re here.
We need some kind of security for Thea’s heat regardless, but having them here until the stalker threat is resolved is the best course of action.
Returning my handshake, Campbell says in his British accent, “Of course, Logan’s brought us up to speed. Apologies that your omega is dealing with this.”
A not-so-subtle cough sounds from behind us. Turning, I find Taz smirking mischievously. “Speaking of, is that sexy woman your omega?” he asks with nearly a challenge in his tone.
Even though we’re away from the group on the porch, I know they’ve heard if Keelan and Micah’s, surprisingly enough, growls are anything to go by.
“Shut it Taz,” Campbell barks. They’re both alphas so there’s no real effect other than punctuating his annoyance.
Taz just rolls his eyes as Ren sighs. “I take it the drive up wasn’t a peaceful one?” Logan asks with a laugh underscoring his tone. Now it’s Campbell side-eying Logan. That is a yes.