Love, Betrayal, and Clancy: Gray Wolf Security Shifters, #5

By Glenna Sinclair

This is book five of Gray Wolf Security SHIFTERS and contains over 50,000 words of paranormal romantic suspense.

 

Clancy Drake was minding her own business in Austin when Tunstall walked into her life and turned it upside down. Now she finds herself in Minnesota, watching the man she's been crushing hard on pine over a woman who's been keeping time with another guy. She wants nothing more than to be there to pick up the pieces when Tunstall gets his heart broken, but she finds herself with two choices: betray Tunstall or allow him to learn the truth about her past...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Glenna Sinclair
• Release date: Apr 16, 2018
• ISBN: 9798224990658

Glenna Sinclair

Experience the heart-racing novels of Glenna Sinclair, the master of romantic suspense. Sinclair's books feature strong male protagonists, many with a military background, who face real-world challenges that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Books2read.com/GlennaSinclair Facebook.com/AuthorGlennaSinclair GlennaSinclairAuthor at Gmail dot com

Book preview

Chapter 1

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Tunstall

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She’s not yours, you know.

Somehow his words didn’t surprise me. I watched as Creed, a dark look to his eyes, came around the side of the porch, not even looking toward me where I stood near the rail. He was an angry one, Creed was. And I was afraid I was just beginning to see beneath the surface of the thin façade he’d been hiding all that anger under.

Who? I asked, as though I didn’t know.

Trinity, he told me, shoving his hands into his jeans pockets. She was into me the second you were gone. Wanted me to teach her self-defense and a few other things, if you know what I mean, he said, pausing a few yards in front of me, the flick of his eyebrows meant to suggest things a gentleman shouldn’t really talk about in the bright sunlight of such a lovely summer morning.

Is that right?

I see the way you look at her, the way you touch her. You need to learn to keep your hands to yourself.

I lowered my head slightly, that barbwire of jealousy cutting through me again despite my best efforts to ignore it. And if I don’t?

Then we’ll have a problem. And the thing is, Creed rocked back on his heels, staring up at me with a slight squint to his eyes, I respect you, Tunstall. I don’t want to have a problem with you.

Well, I tilted my head slightly, trying to keep an even tone, I’m with you on that.

Then I suggest you back off.

I held up my hands. It’s her choice, man. I don’t think we have much say in the matter.

Creed studied my face for a long moment, that dark cloud only growing larger in his eyes. Just remember what I said.

He walked away, and I watched him go, marveling at how that man had walked into my life the moment Trinity entered it and how he always seemed to be there when she was. Maybe he was right. Maybe I was dancing on a line that didn’t belong to me. The thing was, though, it felt like it belonged to me. Like she belonged to me.

I guessed we’d find out. Hopefully sooner rather than later.

But this thing with Trinity was the least of my problems right now. What I should really be concentrating on was this war that was brewing right outside our gates. My pack knew where we were. Why they hadn’t attacked sooner, I didn’t know, but I was sure they wouldn’t wait much longer. And the knowledge that they had teamed up with this drug cartel Ash had us here harassing was even more concerning. It explained why the drug traffickers Erik—the local sheriff—had arrested had attacked this property rather than run the night they’d escaped. They wanted to get me out of the way, to hand me over to my pack. But then they must have found out about Coulter, this mysterious little girl the drug cartel wanted, for reasons I didn’t even want to begin to consider.

The one question that kept coming back to me was: how did my pack and this drug cartel know about Coulter before I did? If she was my child, and even I hadn’t been aware of her existence, how were they?

The only thing I could think of was that someone inside the cartel, or someone in my pack, knew about the woman I suspected was Coulter’s mother. She was a freelance writer named Nicki. She and I had had a brief relationship about five years ago, one that only lasted a few months, but it was at the right time. If Coulter was mine, Nicki was the only one who could be her mother. I hadn’t thought of Nicki in a long time, not until I’d started having those dreams about Coulter. It was her eyes that brought Nicki to mind. Coulter had deep-blue eyes. My eyes were brown, but Nicki had the most incredibly blue eyes I’d ever seen—it was part of what had attracted me to her in the first place. Coulter had those same sort of eyes.

I’d told Trinity about Nicki. But Trinity never would have said anything to anyone about it. We had been sharing secrets... I couldn’t believe she would break my trust.

But as I thought about it, I remembered one detail that had slipped my mind since that night: Creed had walked in on us while we were talking. We’d already finished discussing Nicki, but if he’d been standing just out of sight—in the hallway or just outside the kitchen door—he might have heard our conversation. He might know about Nicki.

Had I given enough information to Trinity that night for someone to be able to find Coulter? I wasn’t sure. Possibly.

Yet I couldn’t make myself believe that anyone in the lodge—not even Creed—would betray my confidence. Not intentionally. These people—my pack and the drug cartel—had to have found the connection between me and Coulter some other way.

Or there was something else going on here. I didn’t even know for sure that Coulter was mine.

What’s got you so deep in thought?

I turned and couldn’t help the smile that slowly slipped out as I looked at Clancy. She was a beautiful woman, this operative I’d stolen from David. She had deep-red hair that was almost a mahogany rather than the orange sort some redheads sported, her eyes a warm hazel that was as much gold as it was green. There was a spattering of freckles over her nose and cheeks, but not so many that it marred the beauty of her creamy skin. And her figure... the morning she’d opened her bungalow door in just a pair of panties and a skimpy camisole top, she’d just about driven me out of my mind.

Today she was dressed slightly more conservatively in jeans and a fitted T-shirt that stretched provocatively over her full breasts, the two buttons that she’d left open there not helping much to reduce the strain on the soft cotton material. If it weren’t for this game I was somehow wrapped up in with Trinity, Clancy would be a lovely companion to have around, in and out of my bed.

What do you think of the place, Clancy?

She pushed her fingers into the pockets at the front of her tight jeans and rocked a little on her heels, making a big show of looking out at the property. Well, she finally said, it’s definitely a bit colder here than it was in Texas.

It is.

But the property is huge, and the obstacle course out back is kind of impressive. I’ve also heard you plan on turning that old garage into an indoor gym for when the snows come, which is more than David ever provided. And the view was pretty nice outside my bedroom window this morning, she said, flicking an eyebrow, not unlike the motion Creed had made with his. You and that lion... pretty hot!

I lowered my head just a bit, hiding the touch of color her words had brought to my face. I’m glad you approve.

Regan’s a sweetheart. Haven’t really had a chance to meet many of the others, though.

Apparently Orson just got married last night, so I’m sure he’s going to be a little occupied for the next few days.

I can imagine. She sighed softly. At least someone around here is getting laid.

Her lack of a filter was... interesting. I’d say refreshing, but a woman who could make me blush twice in less than two minutes was a little frustrating.

So, Trinity’s the one?

I glanced toward the front of the lodge, hoping Trinity was in the office and far from the sound of our voices. She’s the one.

Clancy stepped closer to me, rubbing her shoulder against my chest in a sort of friendly gesture. You have good taste. But... are you sure she’s as in to you as you are her?

Trinity has had a pretty hard time these past few months. It complicates things.

Yeah, well, you should tell that other guy that. That... the lion, whatever his name is.

Creed.

Yeah. The way he was looking at her all during your little meeting this morning... there’s something there.

I know.

It doesn’t worry you?

It worried me more than I wanted to admit, but I wasn’t going to tell her that. What Trinity decided was completely up to Trinity and no one else. I didn’t want rumors or gossip going around the lodge that might influence her.

You know, this really isn’t something I feel comfortable talking about.

With me? Or in general?

Maybe a little of both.

She nodded, moving closer to me instead of moving away. She rested her forehead against my chest and I couldn’t help but slide my hands down the back of her head, drawing her even closer. She looked up, a slight smile on her full lips, lips whose taste still lingered on my own lips. Hell, she was a beautiful woman! But there was another kiss that still lingered on my lips, too, one that would never be overshadowed, no matter how desperately good a quick, uncomplicated roll in the hay might seem.

It could be fun, Tunstall, she said, once again seeming to read my mind. She had a knack when it came to that.

I know it could. But it could also be trouble for us both. I took her face in my hands and studied her eyes for a long minute. I’d just be using you if I let this happen. And that’s not fair to you.

"Isn’t it my right to make that choice?"

If this works out, we’re going to work together for a long time. I don’t want to do anything that’ll make that uncomfortable for you.

You don’t know that it would turn out that way. She licked her bottom lip, doing that thing that made everything inside of me jump to attention. I’m pretty likeable. You might find that I’m pretty easy to fall for.

I started to shake my head, but she reached up and held my jaw, urging me to be still.

If she chooses the other guy, I’m here. And I’m more than willing to be second choice. She reached up, rising on her toes, and kissed me ever so gently. Her mistake could be the best thing that ever happened to you.

She walked away slowly, swaying her hips with such charm that my thoughts drifted—again—to places they shouldn’t go. And then she looked over her shoulder, throwing me a look that was more of an invitation than anything I’d ever seen.

Damn, but she was hard to resist!

Why did the heart have to be so complicated? Why couldn’t I have feelings for a woman like Clancy? She was nice enough, charming and intelligent. She’d make a hell of a companion, maybe even a good wife. But I just... the feelings—beyond lust—just weren’t there.

Would you mind coming and helping me with this? Trinity asked, sliding out the front door as Clancy stepped inside, holding up the flash drive David had given me to upgrade our security system. I think it might require a password I don’t have access to.

I lowered my head in agreement, not quite sure how much Trinity had seen or heard of my exchange with Clancy. A part of me was embarrassed, almost ashamed to have been caught. Another part, though, the part that was now aware that something had happened between Trinity and Creed while I was gone, felt almost justified.

Did Trinity really have any right to be upset about anything I might do with Clancy? I didn’t think so. At least no more right than I had to be pissed that she’d done... whatever with Creed.

Then why was I more than a little pissed?

Chapter 2

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Clancy

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I think he needs to mate.

Regan turned to me, her face bright red. He what?

Trinity didn’t respond quite as obviously, but her hand shook a little as she handed over the soap-soaked plate she’d been washing. I took it quite calmly and rinsed it off, handing it to Regan to dry.

He’s a gray wolf. Gray wolves are monogamous animals when in a pack, but when they are outside a pack, or cannot find a mate, they tend to move from female to female, sometimes mating with three or four at the same time. They’re used to having regular contact with women.

Regan’s blush deepened. And you think that’s why Tunstall’s been a little tense lately?

I’d been at the hunting lodge for three days now and had watched the dynamics of the house, learning who was the most dominant and who was most willing to be led. Regan was clearly a follower while Creed was more dominant. Orson seemed as though he could go either way, and Garrick was another follower. And then there was Tunstall.

It aggravated me, watching him around Trinity. It was so clear that he was the most dominant male in this pack he’d formed, but that he’d give it all to her if she simply looked twice in his direction. But she was a cold woman, dragging him around like a puppy on a string while she basked in the heat of Creed’s constant smoldering gaze.

Why was he so fascinated with this two-faced bitch when he could have me?

I think it’s in Tunstall’s nature to share his bed. Always. He’s not built to be alone for so long.

Tunstall isn’t all wolf, Trinity said. He has a human side, too.

Yes, well, I’m not sure you’ve noticed, but his wolf side is the more dominant of the two.

I’m not sure that’s true.

I glanced at Trinity. Then you don’t know him well. I smiled with fake sweetness. Maybe it’s because I’m a wolf too that I notice these things. Being a human leaves you at a little bit of a disadvantage.

Perhaps. Trinity handed me the last plate from our evening meal and rinsed her hands, drying them on a towel. Or maybe you just think you know him better because you understand that side of him. But maybe your nature blinds you to some of his other qualities.

Trinity walked out of the room before I could respond.

Bitch, I whispered under my breath.

She’s not that bad, Regan said, naturally jumping to Trinity’s defense. She’s been through a hard time, you know.

Yes, the ultimate excuse. Some asshole tries to rape her and she suddenly has an excuse for every annoying thing she’ll ever do—or not do—for the rest of her life. I handed Regan the last dish and turned off the water, watching the soap drain from the sink. I don’t think that’s a very good excuse for what she’s doing to Tunstall. He deserves better than to be caught up in this stupid love triangle!

"If he