"Good news is now you won't go moon mad. The madness comes from denying the urge to mate-refusing your natural instinct. You've marked her-it's done. We won't have to babysit you over the next full moon."
I can hardly believe it. I'm not a danger-not to Annabel. Not to anyone.
The urge to rush back to Annabel's side is so strong, I have to work to keep myself in one spot.
Garrett's lips twitch. "What's her name?"
"Annabel. And, ah, I need to let her know all this. Right away. Thanks for the information, guys. I'll be in touch."
Trey snorts. "Next time stay for a beer."
"Yeah," I call over my shoulder as I start to leave. "I'd like that. Thanks."
"Dune," Garrett calls me back.
I turn. "Yeah?"
"Wolves need a pack. Especially a new wolf like you."
I frown. What the hell kind of fraternity thing is this? "Thanks, but I, ah, generally work alone."
"Yeah, I get that. But if you would've come to see us sooner, we could've helped with the moon madness. Or at least explained what was happening."
He's right. I was the asshole who refused to stop and ask for directions. I definitely screwed things up with Annabel because I was playing lone wolf.
"Are you saying you'd let me in your pack?"
Garrett shrugs. "You have a place here if you want. You helped get Nash's kid back. And it would be nice for us to have someone on the inside of the law for a change."
I shake my head. "I'm leaving the CIA. And I got a female to protect."
Female. Now I'm talking like them.
"Say," I'm not on the job anymore, but I can't stop asking. "You know anything about a Lucius Frangelico? Is he one of your-our kind?"
Garrett bares his teeth. "Hardly. He's a fucking leech."
I stare at him for a moment before I understand. "Oh, you've got to be kidding me. Vampires are a real thing, too?"
"Yeah, and this one is trouble," Trey says. "What do you know about him?"
I don't mind sharing information with these guys. I figure I owe them something for their help. "The CIA ordered a watch on him, but he made me every time I got close. I got pulled off the case, and I heard the next agent wound up dead."
Trey whistles.
"He's suspected of a number of things, including drug and weapons trafficking, but I don't think the government really knows what he's up to."
"He's opening a nightclub downtown in direct competition with the two other paranormal bars," Trey offers. "And he's made it clear he wants to be master of the city and hunt in our territory. We're not happy." His eyes glitter with a weird light as his monster peers out.
"No," Garrett growls, and the air vibrates with the same energy I feel right before I shift. "Not happy at all."
"Watch your backs. Let me know if I can help," I find myself offering.
Strange. Maybe this pack idea is growing on me.
"That'd be hard considering I don't have a working number for you," Jared says drily.
I pull out my phone and send him a message as I walk backward toward the door. "There. Now you have it. I'll expect you to use it."
Jared's grin appears reluctant. "That almost sounds like you want to see us again."
I chuckle as I head out the door. "Yeah. Maybe I do."
Annabel
I DRAG through the motions of living. Check into the Sheraton. Get some new clothes. Shower. Feed myself.
It all feels like swimming through mud.
My mind is forever circling Charlie. Wishing I'd said I loved him. Wondering where he is. If he needs help. If he's a danger to others.
Did I do the right thing not putting him down?
I have to believe I did. His mind and rational thoughts were intact-he just struggled with animal urges. He'll figure it out.
Except guilt gnaws at me.
I should be with him, helping him figure it out.
The way he helped me.
Why did I let him go off alone? He needs me.
I force myself to move forward, the way I know Charlie expects me to. I make multiple copies of the confession to safeguard it, then log in and file an official CIA report on what went down with Director Scape, leaving out the parts about Charlie's wolf problem. I don't leave my contact information-not yet. I'm probably completely safe now, but I need to be sure.
I want to take it to the highest level possible to make sure this all comes out clean.
I call Senator Flack and leave a message.
He calls back right away.
"Annabel, my dear. Where are you?"
"I'm still in town, Senator. I have some information to share with you about my dad's death. Some new developments that involve the CIA. I wasn't sure where else to go, so I thought maybe you-"
"Of course, of course." He has that reassuring Santa Claus voice that puts me at ease. "I'm tied up in meetings today but why don't you come to my house later tonight, Annabel?"
"Sure, okay. That sounds great. What's the address?"
He gives it to me, and I end the call.
Now to send a message to Charlie.
CHARLIE
IN A MOTEL ROOM, I pull out my tablet to contact Annabel. I need to let her know she's safe and what this means. I don't know how she'll take the marking thing. If she wants me to stay away, I will. As long as I know she's safe, I'll respect her wishes.
I log into the secure server we have for messaging, enter my password, and provide a retinal scan.
She's already left me one. I wish I'd said it-you know what I mean. I smile. Then read, I'm going to F with the recording tonight. He should have the authority to ensure everything comes out right before I return.
A prickle of fear rolls over me. It's not attached to any rational thought-just a knowing. Something's not right. Is Annabel still in danger?