Chapter 25

"I-I need to know what Dad wanted the money for. I need to know everything you do."

Keegan zoomed forward and pressed his body against mine.

"Some secrets are better left buried."

My back hit my car and I knew I had nowhere to run. If Cassidy taught me anything other than how to keep my liquor down it was never show a predator fear. So I straightened my spine and lifted my chin.

"You'll get your money back. I want to know what it was for. It was a lot of money. Why you! Why would my Dad do business with a vampire knowing they're banned from the pack?"

Keegan grumbled something inaudible and withdrew his fangs. His eyes turned back to their normal shade too.

"Because he knew he needed the best. The enemy he was fighting knew how to handle wolves, not vamps."

I crossed my arms. "What did he want you for?"

"You got my money or what?"

"Just tell me! This could help. They were killed in their home. I don't know what they were mixed up in but they were good people they didn't deserve what happened to them."

Keegan eyed me up and down. He stepped back giving me room to breathe.

"They were good people. Martin wanted to protect his home. He spent a lot of time and money making sure the place was impenetrable."

We didn't even have a brick wall what was he talking about?

"It might look like a rundown house now but it had strong magic keeping anyone Martin didn't want there out."

I held my breath just listening to Keegan speak. Who was my Father afraid of?

"He borrowed money from me a couple of times which was why I thought he was good to lend him again. I know he wanted the money to reinforce the spell around the house. He needed more stuff to make it stronger and the witch he dealt with needed more money."

"Do you think he managed to do it?"

"If I got into your house sweetheart then he didn't get the job done. He was killed."

"Do… you have any idea who could have killed them?"

"It wasn't me."

"I didn't say that!"

"I don't know but he was working with witches and he knew a lot more than he should have. I'm sure had enemies. I'd be worried if I were you."

His enemies had already come and they cost my co-worker her life and they broke into my house and trashed it.

"For extra, I can be your protection," Keegan said.

I narrowed my eyes and crossed my arms. "You never pass an opportunity do you?"

He raised his shoulders. "You owe me for putting wolves on me."

"I didn't-" A bark cut my words short.

I turned in time to see a jet-black wolf racing towards us on all fours. My blood ran cold and I froze to the spot.

"One of your friends?" Keegan asked calmly.

How couldn't he be terrified by the beast rushing towards us with hunger dripping from his mouth and rage in his hazel eyes? Those hazel eyes… were familiar.

"Dash?" I whispered.

He got closer and leapt off the ground. He aimed for Keegan who masterfully avoided the wolf's claws. He rounded my car. He looked at the direction the wolf came from. If he ran he could escape but he lingered on me instead.

"Dash!" I yelled. "Stop he's a good guy!"

The wolf stopped. His heavy body heaved with pants and growls. He focused on me. I wondered if he realized what was going on. I wanted to reach out and run my fingers through his fur. Time passed with me engaged with the wolf. I'd seen other wolves but I didn't know Dash's was this big.

Before my eyes, the wolf's fur began to retreat and the size got smaller. All that was left was a slightly less hairless and naked man.

"A good guy? He's a vampire!" He blasted.

"Do you see her bleeding? I haven't touched her," Keegan yelled.

He rounded the car and stopped behind me. Dash yanked my arm and tucked me behind him. I blinked several times so my eyes wouldn't wander below his back. Now wasn't the time for that.

"He's given me valuable information on my Dad."

"I can get more too. I worked with Martin a long time and I know a lot of his associates."

"Really?" I jumped from behind Dash.

He shoved me back.

"I don't trust vampires," Dash said menacingly.

"Enough Dash." I slipped by him. "You'll do it for a price won't you?"

"Nothing's for free these days sweetheart."

Dash growled. We both ignored him.

"You can add it to your other bill."

Dash decided he'd had enough of this. He stepped beside me and gripped my hand. "Come by my house tomorrow and get your pay. Zora's debt to you is over."

"You can't-"

"I did. Now get in the car."

I frowned. He was supposed to be strapped to a bed in the pack house what's doing here?

"Perfect expect me bright and early. I don't play when it comes to money," Keegan said.

At least I wouldn't have to sell my house to pay Keegan back… but there was the mortgage that needed paying. A problem for another day.

Dash climbed into the driver's seat. He groaned when he settled down. I noticed a red bruise on his back and abdomen. I reached out to touch it but his stare held me back.

"I thought you were hurt," I said.

"I was but… I knew you were in danger."

"How?"

Dash started the car and focused on the road.

"You need a new car. I doubt you'll drive much longer with this one."

"You need to stop avoiding the conversation. You should get back to the pack house and rest. You shouldn't have been here anyway."

"I'm not going there. I'm going home and you're coming with me."

"I'm not in the mood for a sleepover, Dash."

"You can take the guest room this time, but you're coming home with me, Zora."