Chapter 15
CHAPTER 15
T alon had never wanted to strangle anyone as much as he wanted to strangle Bruce. He wouldn’t be surprised if Piper looked at him and said, ‘ I’m out,’ and ran for her life. The relief he felt when she squeezed his hand and moved closer overwhelmed him. She was an amazing woman who he was falling harder and harder for.
“The second reason I came was to inform you of the information we have uncovered,” Mac said, ignoring Bruce.
A car pulled down her dirt driveway and stopped. A middle-aged man got out and headed toward them. “Who’s that?” Piper whispered to Talon, but Thorne answered her as Mac walked up to greet the man.
“That is the developer, Mr. Cleves,” Thorne explained, his voice dropping as he turned back to Piper and Talon. “It’s come to our attention that your mayor has been using Mr. Cleves’ name in a scam that’s been spreading across small towns.”
“A scam?” Piper asked, her brows lowering in concern.
Thorne nodded. “Yes. The mayor has been convincing townspeople that a well-known developer, in this case, Mr. Cleves, is planning to buy up land for major projects. Depending on his needs, he uses the developer’s reputation to stir up fear or excitement. Then, he manipulates landowners into selling their property below market value.”
Piper’s mouth dropped open. “So, he’s pretending to represent Mr. Cleves?”
“Exactly,” Thorne continued. “He claims the land will be developed for the good of the town, though he raises prices or cuts off access to important areas such as your woods. But in reality, he’s turning a profit on reselling the land while the townspeople are left thinking they’ve made a smart deal.”
“That’s why there’s been pressure for me to sell.” Piper realized, anger rising in her voice.
“Yes,” Talon confirmed, his hand tightening around hers. “And it’s why we need to stop him before more people are tricked into losing their land.”
Piper glanced over at Mr. Cleves, who was in deep conversation with Mac. “What happens next?”
“We confront the mayor,” Thorne said firmly. “Mr. Cleves will clarify that he has no part in this, and we’ll ensure the truth comes out. Once the scam is exposed, the mayor’s grip on the town will be over.”
“So, my home and property are safe?” Piper asked, her voice laced with both relief and uncertainty.
Thorne nodded. “Yes, your home is safe. With the scam exposed, the mayor won’t have any legal grounds to force a sale. And once we confront him, the pressure should stop.”
“What will happen to Mayor Johnson?” Piper asked as Mac and Mr. Cleves walked toward them.
“I plan on pressing formal charges for using my name under false pretenses.” Mr. Cleves informed her. “I’ve already informed authorities who should be arriving any time now. They may come to talk to you since your land was part of the scam. He was trying to take advantage of its value. The wood from your property alone, sold to a lumber company, would bring in a hefty price. You’re fortunate that these men stepped in. This is a very lucrative scam that, in many cases, works. A lot of people lose everything they ever worked for. Some even die. It’s a dirty business.”
“Thank you...all of you,” Piper said, looking at Talon, who was watching her closely.
“We are still tracking to see if anyone else was involved with Mayor Johnson.” Mr. Cleves informed her. “So far, that doesn’t seem to be the case, but if someone else comes for your property, alert the authorities immediately.”
“I will,” she said, then glanced at the red writing on her home. Never had she thought something like this could happen in her small town. It was a little scary.
“We best be heading to the mayor’s now. I’m sure the authorities are close to arriving.” Mr. Cleves announced, then glanced around her property before looking back at Piper. “Ma’am, if you ever decide to sell this place, I’d like to be your first call option to buy.”
“It’s not now or will ever be for sale,” Piper said without hesitation.
“Hey, I wouldn’t be as successful as I am if I didn’t try.” He laughed and then walked off with Thorne and Mac.
“Stay here with Bruce,” Talon leaned down and kissed her. “I need to take care of a few things and ensure the mayor is dealt with.”
“Shouldn’t I be the one to do that?” Piper frowned. “I’m not afraid of the mayor or the assholes who spray-painted my house.”
“Trust me,” he whispered. She knew that, as a man, he wanted to take care of this, but was she woman enough to step back and allow him to do so? “I know I failed you once with trust, but I swear that will never happen again.”
“I’ll have dinner ready when you get home,” she said, smiling at the surprised look on his face. She gently touched his cheek. “Yes, when you get home. ”
“I love you,” he whispered against her lips. “I’ll be back soon.”
“Bow-Chicka-Wow-Wow.” Both Bruce and Fat Bastard sang, gaining a growl from Talon.
“Does your wolf like cat casserole?” Piper asked as Talon pulled away.
“No!” Talon grimaced, then chuckled at the expression on Fat Bastard’s face. “But I know a panther that probably would.”
“Not funny, Talon,” Bruce called out, but Talon just flipped him off without turning around. “So, what’s for dinner? Got any fish?”
Piper didn’t even respond. Instead, she rolled her eyes and headed inside to start dinner, hoping Bruce and his friend would get bored and take off. She walked inside, looked around her home, and smiled with a sigh. Their home. Her and Talon’s.
Dinner had been ready for about half an hour. She did, in fact, feed Fat Bastard and Bruce, then sent them on their way. She was done with talking cats for the day. Now she was taking care of Pecker.
“What a day, huh, Pecker.” She leaned against the enclosure, watching the turkey peck at his food. “You got to meet new friends. I got a hot, sexy boyfriend or mate. I’m not sure yet what the difference really is, and my property is safe. I call that a win/win.”
Hearing a rustling behind her, Piper turned, her breath catching in her throat as she stared at the large black wolf standing only a few feet away. Startled, her hand flew to her chest. The wolf was massive, with sleek, dark fur and intense amber eyes that seemed to pierce right through her. They were Talon’s eyes. For a moment, she stood frozen, staring at the majestic creature. She felt no fear.
“You’re beautiful,” Piper whispered, her voice soft with awe. She stepped closer, unable to tear her eyes away. Every inch of the wolf radiated power, yet there was a gentleness in his gaze that made her feel safe, just like Talon.
The wolf took a step toward her, his movements graceful and fluid. His eyes never left hers, and Piper felt an overwhelming connection, as if the man and wolf were one and the same, both wild and untamed, yet deeply devoted to her. She felt blessed beyond measure at the thought.
Slowly, she extended her hand, and the wolf leaned forward, allowing her fingers to brush through the thick fur on his head. It was softer than she expected, and warmth radiated from his body. A shiver ran down her spine, not from fear but from the intensity of the moment.
Piper stepped back as the giant wolf stood still, his amber eyes watching her closely. She could feel the energy shift around him, the air seeming to hum with power. Talon’s wolf gave a low rumble, then bowed his head as if acknowledging her before the transformation began.
It was a strange, mesmerizing process. His fur rippled, and muscles shifted beneath the surface as his body began to change. Never in a million years could she ever describe what she was witnessing as Talon’s form stretched upward into the shape of a man, her man.
Talon stood naked before her, her eyes roaming every inch of his body, as majestic as his wolf. She was absolutely captivated.
“Are you afraid of me?” He asked, his voice husky and concerned as he watched her closely.
“Never would I be afraid of you or your wolf, Talon. You are one and the same, are you not?” She reached for him, and he took her in his arms.
“Yes,” He picked her up and carried her toward the house. “We are, but I am the alpha and the man who wants you more than anything.”
“You’ve got me,” She nuzzled his neck, not caring where he was taking her, not caring what happened in town. All she cared about was being with him at this moment. Talon walked past the kitchen where dinner sat waiting and then set her down as if waiting for her. She grabbed his hand and led him to their bedroom.