Gray Wolf Security Shifters New Mexico: Complete Series: Gray Wolf Security Shifters New Mexico, #6

By Glenna Sinclair

Enjoy the complete second series of Gray Wolf Security Shifters. For the best reading experience, it is highly recommended to start with the first book of the first series—Gray Wolf Security Shifters: Pack of Misfits.

 

This set includes 5 paranormal romance books with a total of 250,000 words.

 

BOOK ONE: CREED'S SECOND CHANCE

Feeling like an outsider in what has become a family unit, Creed jumps at the chance to help Ash reorganize a new security firm he bought in New Mexico. The woman in charge down there, Dibe Haskies, is a firecracker that Creed finds a perfect distraction to his new reality.

 

Joshua Clinton, Dibe's righthand man, distrusts Creed and refuses to let him help Dibe in the way he sees to be most productive. But when a case Joshua is working on goes south, it's Creed who comes to his aid by finding the truth behind the scheme.

 

BOOK TWO: CONVINCING LACI

Carlos Martinez has a reputation for being something of a womanizer. When he walked into his boss' office that day, he knew she was the prettiest woman in that room and that he'd ever seen. How is he supposed to pretend to be her husband and not notice those beautiful eyes or that delicate nose?

 

But Laci Zane has lived her whole life in a testosterone-driven society, she's grown weary of the sexist attitudes she's had to overcome to be an FBI agent. Convincing Laci he isn't what he appears to be is going to be a Herculean task for Carlos.

 

BOOK THREE: BRASS ANGEL

Jessica's father started a biker club charter before she was born, a bioengineer with a passion for motorcycles who only wanted to change the public's opinion of such clubs. But his death sets Jessica on a path that she thought she'd escaped years ago. She finds herself right back inside a biker clubhouse with the same sort of men who'd populated her past. And the man whom Creed has pegged as their inside man, their informant, doesn't seem any different.

 

But there's some sort of mysterious connection between the two of them that seems to stem from the shifter nature they share in common. Jessica would rather forget she's a shifter, but can the past really be forgotten?

 

BOOK FOUR: THE WALLFLOWER AND THE SEAL

Wilson is a son of the reservation, a former soldier who's still a Momma's boy. With three sisters and a troubled brother, he finds himself jumping whenever he sees his mother's number on his phone.

 

Wilson is drawn into what looks like a conspiracy against Gray Wolf Security, which hits close to home when he discovers that his brother is right smack in the middle of it all.

 

But Wilson isn't the only one caught up in this conspiracy. Creed and Dibe fear that an old friend of the firm is in deeper than anyone could imagine. But the question is, who is the real target of this conspiracy: Gray Wolf or Dibe Haskies herself?

 

BOOK FIVE: GONE IN THE DARK

Dibe Haskies is thrust into the center of a mystery when her former lover, Denton Isaacs, shows up on her doorstep beaten and stabbed, a warning on his lips. "They're coming for you. Run."

 

She has no idea where the warning is coming from or who might have wanted to harm him. And Denton dies before he can tell her. Creed tells her to run, but she refuses, determined to find out what happened to Denton. He might have cheated her and betrayed her, but he was still her friend. And friends do whatever it takes for one another.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Glenna Sinclair
• Release date: Feb 21, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224041275

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: Creed

They all thought I was a traitor.

And then they knew I wasn’t. Not really.

I’d never really cared what anyone thought of me. I’d done a lot of good things in my life. I’d done a lot of bad things. There were things I wasn’t incredibly proud of. But I had no regrets about how I lived my life.

Until now.

I watched her walk into the room and I knew what she was going to say before she even opened her mouth. There was something about the expression on her face, something about the way she refused to look me in the eye. She’d kept to herself a lot these past few weeks, ever since I’d been welcomed back into the house after my role in taking down Alice Remington—the new leader of the Mahoney cartel—was revealed. I’d saved her life and was rewarded with a little kiss. Not the sort of passionate kiss we’d shared in the past, but a chaste little kiss that ended the moment Tunstall came into the room. That told me a lot, but I’d refused to believe it. But there was no denying it now.

I wasn’t going to make it easy for her though. I wasn’t that good of a man.

I never thanked you, not really, for what you did that day at Erik’s.

I rolled my shoulders, lifting the coffee mug I was holding between both hands, the aroma of Tunstall’s mint tea drifting up around my face, trying to pretend it didn’t matter. But it did matter. I would have died for her.

I almost did.

I’m sorry about how I treated you, Creed. You deserved better than that.

My eyes moved slowly over her face, a face that had become more than just a pretty face to me. I wasn’t one who made connections, who allowed other people to get under my skin. Life was better lived alone. And I did live it alone. I took odd jobs here and there, doing whatever I could to make an easy buck before moving on. The only time I’d ever allowed a connection to get out of hand was when I met Alice Remington and allowed her to control me through the jobs and the money she sent my way. But it was that connection that had brought me to Minnesota, that connection that had led me to make a deal with Tunstall Grayson, that had led me to Trinity Larson. And that was the second connection I’d made in my lifetime, a connection that I’d allowed myself to hope would lead to something more, to a life I’d never allowed myself to desire.

And she was standing here, trying to crush that hope in the nicest way possible.

You’ve chosen him, I said quietly, deciding I was a better man than I gave myself credit for.

I have. I’m going to tell him tonight.

She moved close to me, resting a hand on my arm. I wanted to shake it off because that gentle touch was excruciating. I’d been bitten and stabbed and mutilated in ways humans could never imagine. But none of that ever hurt as much as her touch.

You’re a good man, Creed. There’s someone out there somewhere waiting for you. I know it.

I shook my head. That’s just something you say to make yourself feel better. I pulled away, turning to set my full mug in the sink. I don’t need your platitudes. I know I’ll be okay. I turned again, forcing a charming smile. I never was the one-woman kind of guy, anyway. Now I’m free to go back to playing the field. I’m free to be me again.

An expression of such deep sadness and pity washed across her face, an expression that I couldn’t stand looking at. I patted the side of her face a little more roughly than I probably should have.

I’m okay, kid. Don’t worry about it.

I walked off, needing to get as far away from her as possible. I was thinking maybe I’d borrow one of the SUVs and get out of town for a day—not really thinking much further than that. But the man himself, our fearless leader who’d just won a fight I wasn’t even sure he knew he was in, stuck his head out of the office door.

Creed! Just the guy I was looking for!

Yes, well, he was the last guy I wanted to see. But I obediently followed him into the office. He gestured for me to take a seat—in Trinity’s chair—as he perched on the front edge of his own desk.

I’ve just stumbled into an opportunity and I thought I’d offer it to you first.

My eyebrows rose. Sounds mysterious.

Ash has bought an existing security firm down in New Mexico. Apparently it was started by a young woman fresh out of the military. They’ve been doing steady business for three years, but ran into financial issues this year. She was going to go bankrupt if she didn’t get a new source of income, which is where Ash came in. He bought the business, but agreed to allow the personnel to remain in place. However, he wants someone to go down there and oversee the business, help make managerial decisions and oversee the books.

I crossed my arms over my chest as I sat back and looked up at Tunstall. And you thought of me?

It’s a promotion, if you think about it. You’ll be in charge.

But I don’t know anything about managing a business.

You helped Trinity run this place when I was gone to Austin. I think you know more than you give yourself credit for.

It crossed my mind that Tunstall might just be trying to get rid of me. But, in light of what Trinity had said to me in the kitchen, I realized that I wasn’t averse to the idea. Especially if it meant I could boss a few people around.

What exactly would I have to do?

Tunstall shrugged. Observe. Watch the way they handle their business, and offer advice. Make sure they’re collecting fees, not taking a lot of pro bono cases; make sure none of the operatives are taking advantage of the lady in charge.

That’s all?

Pretty much. And it’s not a permanent position. You’d be able to come back here after a few weeks.

Sounds interesting.

Tunstall walked around his desk and picked up a piece of paper, scanning it as he began to talk again. The lady in charge is Dibe Haskie. She’s ex-navy. Grew up in the Albuquerque area, near where the business is located. They do pretty good business, but I guess her issue is collecting fees from clients. And there’s some competition from a rival security firm out of Albuquerque. Ash thinks that there’s some sort of personal connection between her and the owner of that firm—a Denton Isaacs—but he’s not clear on what that might be.

Dibe Haskie? That’s an interesting name.

She’s Navajo.

I nodded, more intrigued than I was willing to admit. How big is her team?

She’s currently got ten operatives working for her, and a half-a-dozen-strong support staff. Ash notes here that she put a lot of her capital into fixing up the old warehouse where their offices are located, building a training facility, buying tech, and employing several software developers. Kind of like what we’ve done here, though we had the luck of having David and Ricki already on Gray Wolf’s payroll.

Where is Ash?

He went to town to meet with Erik Os. He’ll be back soon if you want to talk to him before you make a decision.

I didn’t think I needed to talk about it. The idea of getting out of town for a while, long enough to allow my broken heart to heal a little, was a tempting one. As much as I respected the people in this house, as much as I appreciated their camaraderie, I was a man who wasn’t comfortable with setting down roots. Moving on, even temporarily, seemed right.

No—I’ll do it.

Yeah?

I nodded. The more I thought about it, the better the idea seemed.

Good! Tunstall dropped his sheet of paper back on the desk and came back around, taking up his position on the front of his desk again. Ash would like you to evaluate their tech and make a decision about implementing some of David and Ricki’s software. He’d also like for you to send him quick emails every day, giving him information on the way Dibe runs things, on anything different they might do that could benefit other offices of Gray Wolf. And he’d like to be informed on any negatives that might impact the health of the firm.

No problem.

Tunstall crossed his arms over his chest. You can take one of the SUVs and anything else you might need. Feel free to call for advice or anything else.

I appreciate it. I stood up and patted him on the shoulder. But I don’t think I’ll need you to hold my hand.

Of course not. But we make a pretty good team, don’t we? He smiled. Working together to take down Alice Remington panned out pretty well. I’m not sure I could have done it without your insight and you spreading rumors and bullshit to her people.

I lowered my head. I was but an instrument in your plan.

But it worked—and everyone’s safe now because of it.

I paused in the doorway. I only cared about one person. I would have done anything to protect her.

A cloud brushed over Tunstall’s expression. I know she appreciates it. So do I.

I lowered my head. I trust you’ll keep her safe while I’m gone. If not, I’ll have to come back and take care of business, good team or not.

I’ll do my best.

I turned to leave again, but Tunstall called after me.

There’s one thing you should know about this firm you’re going to help out with. They’re more like us than like Ash’s other firms.

Yeah? How’s that?

Tunstall hesitated a second. Well, they’re shifters, like us. But they’re all the same sort of creatures.

My eyebrows rose. Let me guess; they’re all wolves.

Tunstall smiled, catching the irony in that idea. No. But that’d be interesting.

What are they, then?

Dragons.

I nearly choked on that. I thought I’d seen it all when I met Garrick, the ancient horse. But dragons? That was definitely a new one.

A whole firm filled with dragons. That was unheard of.

Chapter 2: Dibe

His lips were like pillows, thick and moist and so familiar that I ached clear to my core when they touched my throat. I wanted nothing more than to taste his tongue and feel his hands on my skin, to lie in the dark as he explored every inch of my being... but I couldn’t do that.

We weren’t together anymore.

Denny, I moaned, pushing against his chest. You have to go!

Come on, Dibe; you know you want to.

I groaned, annoyed by how well he knew me. Or maybe it was the arrogance of his statement, the idea that he thought he knew me well, but was really just assuming because he believed every woman wanted him. I wasn’t sure which it was and I really didn’t want to figure it out because I knew—I knew probably better than anyone—what the truth really was already. I just didn’t want to admit it to myself.

You have to go. We’re broken up, remember?

We don’t have to be.

We do. You cheated on me! Over and over again!

Come on, baby, he said, pushing me back against the wall, one hand on my hip as the other slid over my throat and up around my jaw. You know that didn’t mean anything. You know I love you... Those others didn’t mean anything.

I groaned as his lips brushed against mine. For a brief moment, I let myself indulge in that kiss. But then I came back to myself, logic finally breaking through the thick walls desire had built around my broken heart.

I can’t do this again, Denny, I moaned. I need you to go.

Just one more minute, babe, he whispered against my lips. But we both knew what one more minute would mean. I’d give in—again—and I’d regret it when it was over, regret letting him into my bed, letting him into my heart only to watch him walk all over me again. I pushed at his chest, my resolve stronger than I’d imagined myself capable of.

You have to go!

Come on, Denton, a deep, male voice suddenly barked. We both turned to find Joshua standing at the top of the stairs, watching us with that formidable stare he often wore. Time to go.

Oh, look, it’s your guard dog, Denton said, his voice dripping with disdain. She can make a decision without your input from time to time, you know, Joshua.

I believe the lady asked you to leave, Denton.

He grunted, his dark eyes moving over my face. Is that really what you want, Dibe?

My heart screamed no even as my logical side did everything but jump up and down. After a long moment of battle, I lowered my head.

You have to go.

He grunted again, but he backed up, his hands held up where we could see them. All right. But we have unfinished business, Dibe. This whole Gray Wolf thing is ridiculous. You never should have let that man—

It’s my business. My choice.

I could have done so much more for you if you’d let me buy you out.

You would have taken over. I couldn’t do that.

We could have worked together. Equal partners.

That didn’t work very well when we were lovers. How was it supposed to work in business?

Denton’s warm, dark-brown eyes skirted over me again, a smoldering fire burning as his eyes lingered on my throat where his lips had just been. Then he sighed.

Just remember that I tried—when this thing with Ash Grayson goes south.

Just remember that I trusted you and you let me down.

He shook his head, brushing past Joshua as he headed down the stairs, taking them two at a time like he was suddenly in a hurry to get as far from me as possible. It crushed my heart, if I was honest. But I was in the habit of not being honest with myself. That’s how I’d gotten myself into this trouble in the first place.

There’s a guy downstairs who claims to have been sent by Ash Grayson, Joshua said in a low, almost sympathetic voice. He’s waiting in your office.

I nodded. Give me a second, will you?

No problem.

Joshua turned and rushed down the stairs the same way Denton had done. I watched him for a second, wishing that he hadn’t come up here, that he hadn’t seen me giving in to temptation once again. Joshua had been to witness my relationship with Denton from beginning to end, warning me, even before I knew I was as invested as I, was that Denton would only break my heart. I hated that he’d been right, hated that I wasn’t strong enough to have followed his advice all that time ago. Striking up a relationship with an employee was bad enough. Striking one up with an employee who then used our relationship to steal my management plans and begin a rival business of his own was even worse. But to have that same employee, that same lover, turn his affection on other women right under my nose was the ultimate insult. I could have forgiven almost anything but that.

And yet there was this small part of me that wanted to forgive even that.

Why was I so weak when it came to Denton Isaacs?

I turned from the stairs, turning from my shame in some sort of way, and ducked into my private apartment, taking a second to wash my face and pull my emotions together. When I caught sight of myself in the mirror—the classic high forehead, prominent cheekbones, and hawk-like nose of my heritage—I knew how disappointed my ancestors would be in my behavior. My people were strong people, independent people, people who’d fought the white man to remain free to live their lives the way they had since the beginning of time. And here I was, too weak to let go of a man who’d used and mistreated me.

What a disappointment.

I quickly washed my face, pulling my long, black hair back into a ponytail that I twisted into a practiced bun that sat on the top of my head. I wiped my hands on the back of my jeans and tugged at the simple blue blouse I was wearing, forcing my thoughts to the business of the day.

We had a new client coming to town in a few hours. I had yet to assign the case, wasn’t even sure who was available. And we had several other cases that were currently active and due for reports. Then there was the presentation on the new listening device the tech guys were working on. At some point, I also wanted to make time to talk to the architect about adding another level to the gym so that we could put in a couple of exercise studios for those who wanted a little more challenge added to their daily cardio workout.

It was going to be a busy day. I didn’t have time for whoever this guest was, waiting down in my office. Ash hadn’t said anything about sending anyone by. It was probably just some sort of salesman who’d caught wind of our buyout or something. A trick to get past the front door.

I walked downstairs, taking the steps one at a time in contrast to the men in my life. I paused halfway down, looking out over the space that filled what was once an open, empty warehouse. There were now two dozen cubicles in the center of the room, narrow walking paths between them, and another half-dozen offices along the far wall with actual walls and doors. Most of those doors were open and I could see people working inside, busy in ways that made my chest swell with pride. When I began this business with just me and Joshua and an office assistant who worked for barely minimum wage, the one thing that kept me going on the long nights of hard work was the idea that it would look like this one day. And here we were.

But it wasn’t actually my business anymore.

It was a bitter pill to swallow to acknowledge the fact that I’d had to choose between closing our doors or allowing another company to buy us out. At least it was Gray Wolf Security, and not Denton’s Firebrand Security.

I was near the end of the stairs when the scent of feral cat filled my nostrils. I frowned, the hairs on the back of my neck standing up as all my instincts warned of danger. I’d grown up in a human world that had taught me to be wary of the unexpected, of strangers clothed in kindness and courtesy. As a shifter with deep roots in the Navajo traditions, I’d learned to be cautious of other shifters. I’d only met a few in my life, most of them during my six years in the navy. To have one just walk into my office was unprecedented.

Joshua was standing at attention outside my office door, the same sort of cautious look on his face as I’m sure I had on mine.

He’s in there?

He nodded.

Do we know why he’s here?

Joshua shook his head. He says he’s been instructed to speak to you directly.

I frowned, wondering what was going to happen now. Ash had assured me personally that he wouldn’t interfere with the way I ran the business, but now he sends this guy? What did that mean?

There was only one way to find out.

I walked into my office, the scent of feral cat suddenly overwhelming. It was radiating off of the blond man standing at the back of the room studying some Navajo artifacts I had on a shelf behind my desk. I was instantly annoyed by his audacity—moving around my private space like he had every right to do anything he wanted to do—which made me a little frustrated with myself for being intrigued by his appearance. He was tall—but most of the guys around here were—with broad shoulders and ripped muscles along his arms, shoulders, and chest. He was dressed casually in a pair of low-rider jeans and a casual cotton shirt with a couple of buttons at the collar. When he turned toward me, his hands in his front pockets in a way that accentuated his masculine bulge, I found myself looking into eyes that were as clear as the sky on a beautiful spring afternoon, blue with a touch of gray that offered just a bit of depth. And that hair, long blond hair that framed his face like a lion’s mane.

That’s what it was, what I smelled about him. The lion inside of him. Even his jaw reminded me of a lion’s snout, the slight scruff on his jaw and the shape of his mouth and nose.

Ms. Haskie? he asked, those blue eyes moving slowly over the length of me in a way that was both sexual and curious, both insulting and charming.

Who are you? I demanded, not bothering to hide my annoyance.

He came around the desk and freed one hand to offer a shake. Creed Jones. I’m from the Gray Wolf offices in Minnesota.

You’re an operative?

He rolled his shoulders as he shoved his hand back into his pocket. I suppose you could call me that.

Are you here for a job?

He tilted his head slightly. They didn’t tell you I was coming?

Who?

Ash Grayson? Or Tunstall Grayson?

I’d never heard of Tunstall, but I knew Ash well enough to have gone into business with him. Or maybe not well enough if he’d sent this guy without warning me.

Why are you here, Mr. Jones?

He studied my face for a long second, almost as if he was trying to figure out what exactly he could tell me. I’m here to observe your operations. The Graysons want to know how you run things, what kind of cases you take, what kind of tech you have, so they can make an assessment on how best to help you.

Ash knows all he needs to know about us.

He’s the one who wanted me here.

I shook my head, moving around him to sit behind my desk. I was told that I would have free rein to run things the way I’ve always run them. Ash said he wouldn’t interfere.

That may be, but he asked me to observe and send him daily reports personally.

Daily reports?

Like I said, he wants to know how things are going here.

I didn’t like this. I didn’t like the surprise, didn’t like the idea of having someone watching over my shoulder. And I didn’t like that it was this man who was supposed to be doing it. I studied him as these thoughts rushed through my mind, sensing in him a sort of arrogance that told me he was going to do whatever he wanted to do no matter what I might have to say about it.

You don’t mind if I call Ash and talk to him about this, do you?

Of course not. Creed stepped forward and set down a piece of paper with a phone number on it. You’ll find him here. He has his cell phone, but service up in Minnesota can be kind of spotty. He dropped a wink. You don’t mind if I ask your buddy outside the door to give me a tour of the place, do you?

He wasn’t interested in my response. He continued before I could formulate an answer—which was probably good, because my answer wasn’t going to be polite.

Is there a hotel or a bed and breakfast near here where I can get a place to stay?

A part of me simply wanted to tell him to go to hell. I leaned back in my chair and crossed my arms over my chest, watching him watch me. The smile of amusement that filled his expression, including his eyes, only added to my desire to absolutely dismiss and get rid of this fool.

But there was a part of me that knew I had no choice.

You’ll have to drive into Albuquerque if you want a hotel.

He lowered his head, barely wiping that smile off his face. Thank you.

He backed out of the room, one eyebrow cocking as he regarded me in the last second before he disappeared. I found myself wondering how many times he’d had that cocky look slapped off his face by some annoyed woman.

I snatched up the landline and dialed Ash’s cell phone, ignoring the paper Creed had set on the desk. It rang a number of times before going to voice mail. I disconnected the call and dialed the office in Santa Monica. Rose, Ash’s sweet office manager whom I’d spoken to a dozen times during the contract negotiations, answered.

He’s in Minnesota, sweetheart, she told me. I can give you the number there if you’d like.

Please.

I didn’t bother with a pen, though. The number she read out was the same number I had on that paper Creed had given, as I’d kind of known it would be.

More reason to dislike the guy.

I had to take a few deep breaths before I could dial that number.

Gray Wolf Security, a perky voice answered on the other end of the line. This is Regan. How can I help you?

This is Dibe Haskie. I’d like to speak with Ash Grayson and I’ve—

Oh, the lady in Arizona! the voice cried out. Is Creed there? Did he arrive safely?

Hmm, yeah, I said, not sure how to respond to this sudden, unprofessional turn in the conversation. He’s here.

That’s great! I was a little worried. He tends to get into... well, you know how guys can be. I’m glad he’s there. Let me get Ash for you.

Thank you, I said, but a click on the line told me she’d put me on hold before I could speak.

I already knew this wasn’t going to go the way I wanted it to. If that woman knew Creed and knew he was supposed to be here—hell, she even knew my name!—then there was no way Ash hadn’t sent him. Unfortunately. I’d already sort of figured that out on my own. But did that mean he had to stay?

Ash, I began the moment his voice came on the phone, why did you send this guy here?

Listen, Dibe; Creed is only there to help you out. You should look at it as having a personal assistant with insight into the way we run Gray Wolf. It’ll help you make the transition.

Our contract says that I can—

Our contract states that you would remain in charge as long as you followed certain agreed-upon protocols. Consider Creed one of those protocols.

But, Mr. Grayson—

You are the face of the firm in Arizona, Ms. Haskie, Ash said warmly, almost charmingly, in my ear, and you have a strong rapport with your people. That’s why it is important that you remain there. But your position within the firm can be altered if it is decided that you cannot steer the firm in the right direction. I’m sure it is just as important to you as it is to me that your doors remain open and you represent Gray Wolf with strength and dignity. Do you understand?

I understood better than I wanted to. He was telling me—in the most diplomatic way possible—that I’d run my security firm into the ground and he wasn’t going to allow me to do that with this new incarnation of the business, especially now that his name was on the door.

Yeah, I understood. I wasn’t happy about it, but I understood.

I was stuck with Creed.

Chapter 3: Creed

She said I should show you around?

That’s what she said, I insisted, even though she hadn’t actually commented on the suggestion. Do you want to go ask her?

The man—a military type who hadn’t yet grown out the haircut—looked me over for a moment, then gestured toward the stand of cubicles collected in the center of the massive room.

Those are the workspaces for our analysts—they do research for the operatives in the field, watch over the tech that’s been put into service, and answer any calls our active operatives might make for whatever reason. He pushed away from the wall where he’d been sitting, gesturing almost halfheartedly at the offices on the other side of the building. Our software and tech developers are over there. Then he began to walk toward the back of the building.

What about this? I asked, gesturing toward the stairs.

That’s private.

Oh? For whom?

Dibe.

He didn’t seem interested in elaborating. Reminded me a little of myself.

We stepped through a door that led to a narrow corridor and then to another door that opened onto the property behind the building. Back here there was a large obstacle course that put the one behind Tunstall’s place in Minnesota to shame. It covered nearly an acre, maybe more, and included things I hadn’t seen outside of a military training base. To the right were a set of bleachers where there were two guys running to the top and back. On the left there was another building that looked as though it was still under construction.

What’s that? I asked.

Indoor workout space. There’s a gym on the first floor and individual classrooms on the top floor. Dibe’s hoping to hire a couple of aerobics coaches soon.

I nodded, wondering if that might have something to do with the financial troubles Dibe had been experiencing lately. Tunstall said she’d been on the verge of bankruptcy and that was why Ash had bought her out.

How many operatives currently work here?

Joshua rolled his shoulders. If you’re here on the behest of Ash Grayson, I’m sure you know the answer to that.

I do. But I was curious to hear it from your point of view.

How will my point of view differ from anyone else’s?

It probably won’t. But sometimes information is delayed from one point to the next.

We have ten operatives, three software techs, and three operation support techs.

Only three support techs? They can keep up with ten operatives?

We rarely have more than six operatives in the field at one time.

Two operatives per tech. That still seems a little excessive.

Dibe is looking to expand the team, but it takes time to train them.

And the operatives... what do they do around here when they aren’t on a case? Does she keep them on salary, or are they paid per case?

Salary. If she didn’t, they would go to some other security firm.

Are there a lot of security firms in this area?

Joshua stopped walking just short of the edge of the obstacle course and turned to me, his arms crossed, a look of irritation clear on his face. Why aren’t you asking her these questions?

Because she’s a little busy trying to get ahold of Ash at the moment.

I knew that she wouldn’t have called Minnesota with the number I gave her. At least not right away. And that when she finally got ahold of Ash, she’d be even more aggravated by the fact that I was telling her the truth about why I was here. In fact, if Ash told her everything he wanted me to do, she would be even more annoyed than she’d been before. I would be.

Joshua glanced at the main building, a knowing look in his eye. He knew exactly what I meant.

We have two direct rivals. Firebrand Security in Albuquerque is owned and operated by Denton Isaacs, an operative who worked here for a little more than a year before he quit to start his own place. And Logistics Security, a firm from Santa Fe that does a lot of work in this area.

And you? What’s your role here?

Joshua shrugged. I’ve been with Dibe since she opened her doors. I’m an operative, but I also help her out with the administrative stuff.

I nodded, turning to survey the yard. This is a nice place. She’s got her priorities right, providing a training facility for the operatives. I’m wondering, though, how much of the operating budget goes into all this construction. Some of that money should go toward hiring more support staff.

We do all right.

All right’s not good enough when someone’s life is on the line out in the field.

Joshua didn’t seem to have an argument for that.

I’d like to talk to a couple of the operatives, if that’s okay. And the tech guys, if you could arrange it.

Our tech is kind of a protected secret, Joshua immediately protested. We don’t allow them to discuss it.

Yes, well, we all work for the same guy, remember?

All we have on that is your word, Mr. Jones, Joshua said. I’m not sure that’s good enough.

Dibe should be getting confirmation right now of everything I’ve said.

Then you can discuss all that with her.

Joshua seemed to have had enough of me. He walked off, headed back into the main building, leaving me behind. I watched him go, more amused than anything else.

The dynamics around here were pretty clear: Dibe was in charge, but Joshua did most of the heavy lifting. It wasn’t that much different from the way things ran back in Minnesota. Tunstall was in charge, but Trinity implemented most of his policies.

Trinity.

It’d been a long drive alone with my thoughts. And, of course, Trinity dominated them. I’d known the moment she kicked me out of the lodge after she learned of my betrayal that it was over between us. But some part of me had hung on, hoping that she would surprise me. The taste of her kisses was still warm on my tongue, the feel of her skin still silky under my palms. There’d been a lot of women in my life, but none of them had been quite like Trinity.

Maybe it was for the best. I wasn’t really a settle-down-and-have-kids kind of guy. That kid of Tunstall’s had clearly made Trinity happy. She liked reading bedtime stories to her and watching stupid cartoons. I never would have the patience for that stuff.

But, I had to admit, she looked beautiful whenever that kid made her smile.

I shook my head, forcing myself to push Trinity from my thoughts. I shouldn’t dwell. It was time to move on.

I walked over to the bleachers and watched the two guys race up and down, not using the stairs but climbing the bleacher seats themselves. It was a tough workout, but these guys were barely breaking a sweat. If I hadn’t been in jeans...

Who are you? a woman, petite, blond, with the most intense green eyes I’d ever seen, sidled up next to me to ask.

Creed Jones. Who are you?

Jessica Young.

You work here?

You could say that. Do you?

In a roundabout sort of way. I’m from the Minnesota office of Gray Wolf.

Gray Wolf? She seemed puzzled for a second. Oh, yeah, that’s the company that bought us out, right?

You don’t know who you work for?

Details aren’t really my thing.

But you’re an operative?

She had to be an operative. She had the build of a woman who took pride in her fitness level, the stance of a woman with strict military training. And she was watching the runners with a sense of anticipation that was animalistic.

I think her eyes glowed in the second before she took off, rushing up over the bleachers to catch the two men where they were about to make a turn at the top. I watched, impressed by her movements, by the grace that belied the inhuman speed. I hadn’t been aware that there were shifters who could change into dragons until Tunstall had told me yesterday. My understanding of shifter origins was that a group of pagan witches, or Indian medicine men, or whatever had gathered together and chosen their specific spirit animals. One chose a lion—hence my existence—some a wolf—hence Tunstall—others a panther, an eagle, a skunk, a wolverine. One animal from each category of the animal kingdom was chosen, the witches melding their souls with that of the animal. The two became one, creating shifters who possessed not only the ability to fully transform into their chosen animal, but to possess that animal’s unique abilities.

Like the fact that I could smell the anxiety dripping from Dibe’s pores as she spoke to Ash on the phone a hundred or so yards away.

But dragons... weren’t they something out of fiction?

That might have been so, but they clearly existed at some point because I was watching two at the moment. The blonde, running like the devil was on her tail, her limbs moving so quickly that they were nothing more than a blur, making the human she was running beside look like a joke of natural selection. The other man, however, was clearly provoked by her challenge because he had picked up speed and was moving almost as quickly as she was. As I watched, I thought I saw the shadow of a dragon appear near the woman. And maybe a little smoke coming from her nostrils.

This was going to be a hell of a lot of fun.

Chapter 4: Joshua

I didn’t like him.

I knew Dibe needed help keeping the books balanced, and I knew she wasn’t good at asking clients to pay their bills, but this guy didn’t strike me as diplomatic. And Dibe needed a gentle hand, not a bulldozer.

Ash should have talked to me. We’d had a couple of conversations during the week he was here in negotiations with Dibe. He should have trusted me to bring her around to a more proper way of handling things.

I tapped on her door and pushed it open, finding her with her head on her desk. He’d been right; I could see that. She’d made the call and Ash had backed up Jones.

You want me to kick him off the property?

She groaned. I wish we could. But Ash wants him here and I have to comply with our contract.

Does your contract say you have to let him send some yahoo here to interfere in our business?

It says that he can demote me and allow some other person to run this place. She sat up, her eyes haunted as she met mine. This is my grandfather’s warehouse. It’s the only part of him I have left.

I know.

I started this business here because I believed it was something good I could do to honor him. To honor everything he’d done for me. I started this business to be close to his spirit, because I believed he would be proud of this, of me. But now? I’m not sure he’d be proud of this.

You did what you had to do to save the business.

But at what cost? I might have saved the business, but I might lose it anyway if I don’t comply with everything Ash wants me to do!

There’s got to be a way around this.

She shook her head. Nope. The contract is very clear. I can continue to run the place as I please, as long as I follow certain protocols defined by Ash. And one of those protocols, apparently, is that I allow him to send an outside party in to observe and report on me like I’m some sort of kid failing a high school math class!

If he’s only here to observe—

I don’t know that. Besides, what’s he going to report to Ash? What if he tells him that I’m still hemorrhaging money? What if Ash doesn’t like what he hears and decides to replace me as CEO here? Who’s going to be in charge?

Not someone any of us will listen to.

Yeah. And then Ash will bring in all new operatives and we’ll all be out on our asses. She threw herself back against her chair vigorously enough that it forced her to exhale hard. I’m stuck. I have to put up with this goddamn lion and put on a good show, like I’m trying to prove something.

It’s only for a little while.

I don’t know that and neither do you.

Anything I can do...

I know. She sighed heavily. We’ll figure it out.

At least he’s not Denton.

Much to my relief, she laughed. Yeah, there is that. If Denton had been the one to buy me out, he’d already be settled in here and I’d be out there somewhere answering phones.

Almost as if she’d conjured it up, the phone on her desk rang. She snatched it up, the words Yisda Security about to slip from her lips when she caught herself. I could see how it pained her to have to say, Gray Wolf Security. How can I help you?

I’d known Dibe for almost five years. We’d served in the navy together, she a radio operator on board the aircraft carrier where I was assigned as a pilot. She mustered out six months before I did. I hadn’t really intended on leaving the military before putting in twenty years, but an ear infection scarred my inner ear, leaving me unable to pass the strict military physical. Lost as to what to do next, I traveled the United States for a while. And then I got a call from Dibe and she told me about this new security firm she was going to open. She needed my help. How could I resist that?

I came out here with the thought that it would be temporary. That was three years ago.

This place was as much my baby as it was hers. It killed me the day she told me we were nearly bankrupt and she’d decided to sell. The offer from Gray Wolf had seemed like a godsend. It still did. Every new venture has a few bumps in the road. We’d get through this.

I hoped.

Shit, shit, shit! Dibe cried as she set the phone down with more than just a gentle touch.

What?

We have a client sitting at the casino in town waiting for a security team. I forgot all about it!

Who’s available?

I was going to send Edgar and Carlos over there, but Edgar’s out on that emergency call we got last night.

Is anyone else available?

She shook her head as she consulted the computer. Everyone else has something starting today or tomorrow. This is a week-long job!

When will Edgar be available?

Not for another day or two, at the earliest. She shook her head. This had to happen the morning that guy shows up! What will he say in his report back to Ash?

If he doesn’t know, he can’t report.

Know what?

We both turned, my first thought a rush of anger at Creed Jones for just walking into a private office without so much as a knock. I had to remind myself that he worked for the guy who owned the place and therefore had every right to be in here. It didn’t help.

This is a private office, Dibe told him, giving voice to my thoughts.

Sorry, Creed said, tugging the door open so he could knock on the outside of it. May I come in? There was this look of pure amusement in his eyes as he said it. I met one of your operatives, Jessica Young. Quite impressive.

So relieved that you approve, Dibe said, her words dripping with sarcasm.

Creed rolled his shoulders. I don’t suppose it’s my approval that really matters. He came deeper into the room and took a seat in a chair in front of Dibe’s desk, making himself comfortable. So, what’s on the agenda for today?

Dibe shot me a glance that was filled with both irritation and desperation. I knew she wanted a way out of this, but I didn’t know how to do it without embarrassing her.

We have a client waiting for a security team, Dibe reluctantly told him. A businessman from Connecticut. He’s here to do some sort of business deal with a local company and he’s concerned about blowback from the community. He wants security for himself and his daughter.

Sounds like a simple job, Creed said. Do you have anyone available?

We’d had it assigned days ago, but we got an emergency call from a regular client last night and had to change course. Dibe glanced at me again, the look in her eyes more desperation now. So Joshua’s agreed to head up the team.

My eyebrows rose. I didn’t remember volunteering and I really didn’t think now was a good time for me to be out of the office. I took cases from time to time, important cases. But most of my time was spent in the office now. It was how I preferred it.

Why was she doing this?

That’s big of you, Joshua, Creed said.

You should go find Carlos and head over to the casino, Dibe said, her voice losing some of its power.

Of course.

I knew she was aware of how everything she did looked in front of this guy. She was scared of losing her position here at this new business that was an incarnation of her own. I understood that. I knew what it felt like to be on the outside of something you were once the center of. But that didn’t mean I appreciated being shoved out.

Her eyes were begging me to go quietly. I lowered my head slightly, pushing down the words I wanted to say and knew I couldn’t. Not right now. But she’d hear about it later.

This was a mistake. She shouldn’t be alone with this guy.

I left the office without saying another word. My desk was among the cubicles, a small space that was as barren as it had been the day I took possession of it, with the exception of my jacket slung over the back of the chair. I snatched it up, along with my truck keys, snapping at Carlos to get a move on. He was a few cubicles down, his hair wet from the shower. He was messing around on the Internet, probably doing things he’d been warned a dozen times not to do.

You working this case with me, boss? he asked as he rushed to keep up with me.

I didn’t respond. I thought the answer was pretty obvious.

Carlos was barely in the truck when I pulled out of the narrow parking lot, headed toward Albuquerque. Interstate 40 ran not more than a mile from the warehouse, leading straight into Albuquerque—or Flagstaff if we went the other direction. It was a beautiful day, warm and dry. But we were heading into fall and the nights tended to be pretty cold this time of year. If the past few nights were any indication, it was going to be a pretty cold winter.

The casino was on the eastern edge of the Tohajiilee Indian Reservation, a non-contiguous section of the Navajo Nation. The casino was run by the Navajo, a source of revenue that the American Government couldn’t touch. It’d been pretty profitable since they’d opened it a few years ago, bringing in more tourists, which was good for the city of Albuquerque, and lots of gamblers, which was good for the Navajo people.

As a member of the Navajo Nation, Dibe was eligible to receive payments from the casino, but she’d chosen not to accept them, just as her grandfather before her would have done. Their relationship with their people and the reservation where Dibe was born was a little complicated. I’d never really asked about it and she’d never really offered much information beyond the fact that her mother had died on the Tohajiilee when she was just a toddler.

We pulled into the lot among cars with plates from as far away as Texas and Louisiana. Ten years ago, I never would have walked into a place like this. But ten years ago, my life was much different than it was now.

There’s two—right? Carlos asked.

A businessman and his daughter.

Carlos’s eyes lit up at the mention of a daughter. I’ll take the girl.

What if she’s ten? I didn’t tell you how old she was.

If she’s over eighteen, I’ll definitely take her.

I didn’t respond because, once again, a response seemed like it would just be degrading to my intelligence, if not his.

The front desk was wide and opulent, the kind of thing you might find in a five-star hotel in New York. I definitely felt conspicuous in this place—dressed as I was in jeans and an Oxford shirt under a secondhand sports coat—even if I was dressed basically the same way as everyone else wandering the lobby. The clerk at the front desk didn’t bat an eye as I walked up, her smile polite and disinterested.

Could you tell me what room Mr. Philip Carmichael is in?

That got her attention. Her eyes grew a little wary as she eyed me closely for a second. Then she picked up a phone and made a quick, discreet phone call before asking me, Are you with Gray Wolf?

Yes, ma’am.

She smiled then, her interest more open as she set the phone back in its cradle. The Carmichaels are on the top floor in Penthouse 2.

Thank you.

Are you a bodyguard? she asked to my departing back.

We both are, Carlos said, sidling up to the desk. And it’s quite a dangerous job, you know.

When I glanced back, she was offering him nothing more than a dismissive glance as she continued to watch me. There was obvious interest now, the kind of interest that tells a man just a little charm would probably open a lot of doors. But those were doors I wasn’t all that interested in walking through right now.

I was still fuming about Dibe sending me here.

What if she said something to that Creed that caused Ash concern? What if he said something that pissed her off and they got into a heated exchange of words? That wouldn’t go over well in a report to Ash. What if he sent a bad report and Ash came to town? She needed me as a buffer. She’d always needed a buffer. When she and Denton broke up, there was no telling what might have happened if I hadn’t been around to play buffer between them.

I tugged my cell phone out of a back pocket as I boarded the elevator, watching the doors close on Carlos. He caught up just in time to slip through before the doors closed completely.

Jenna, I said as a familiar voice answered on the other end of the line, it’s Joshua.

I heard you were on a case.

I am. That’s why I’m calling. I was hoping you could keep an eye on Dibe while I’m out. Keep me informed on what’s going on with her.

Sure, I can do that. There was a slight pause. Everyone’s talking about this guy who showed up this morning. He’s clearly causing her to act a little like a cat in a room full of rocking chairs.

That was an understatement. Is he still there?

Yeah. She’s introducing him to the tech guys right now.

I wanted to groan, but I kept it under control. Just... call me if you see anything unusual.

Expecting trouble? Carlos wanted to know.

I guess we’ll find out.

The elevator doors opened on the top floor, revealing expensive carpets and paintings and furnishings decorating a narrow corridor with only two doors, one at each end. We strode to the left, touching the button connected to a doorbell we could hear ring inside the suite. The door was opened almost immediately by an average-looking fellow dressed in a cheap suit.

You must be the people from Gray Wolf. Mr. Carmichael has been anxiously awaiting your arrival.

The man moved out of the way so that we could enter the rooms. The place was bigger than my apartment, the sitting room spreading out widely from the main door to a massive glass wall with French doors that opened onto an impressive balcony. There was an expensive arrangement of furniture in the center of the room where a short, fat man was sitting, surrounded by paperwork. To the left was a small dining room and a space that appeared to be dedicated to the flat-screen television hanging on the wall there. To the right were two doors, assumedly leading to the bedrooms.

The man who greeted us at the door gestured for us to present ourselves to the other man, but this man seemed more interested in his paperwork than us. Or maybe he was making us wait to prove some sort of point. Whichever it was, I found it petty and childish. Just the same, I stood at attention even as I continued to casually check the place out, my eyes moving over the rich furnishings while my other senses—the ones that came from a family heritage I’d never taken for granted—addressed the various scents that permeated the place from both its current occupants and those of the past, the noises that were just below the threshold at which most humans could hear, and the heaviness of the atmosphere that was inspired by both the physical and emotional weight of the air and the people in the room.

There was someone, just out of sight, on the balcony. I could hear the scratching of a pencil against heavy paper, the movement of a hand, the sigh slipping from someone’s lips. I liked to know everything about a place when I first walked into it, especially when I was there for the purpose of protecting someone. I’d have felt better if the person on the balcony would present themselves.

Not to mention whoever that was in one of the bedrooms.

You’re from Gray Wolf? the fat man on the couch finally asked.

I respectfully lowered my head. We are.

You were supposed to meet us when we arrived over two hours ago.

I’m aware of that, sir. There was something of a mix-up at the office.

Is that how you conduct your business? Perhaps I should hire one of the other firms here in town.

That is your prerogative, Mr. Carmichael, I said. But you won’t get the service you will with us.

To my surprise, that caused the man to smile. I’ve heard you are the best. That’s why I hired you. He stood, moving around me and then Carlos like we were items he was thinking of purchasing before he headed toward the opulently stocked bar in the corner of the room. As he poured himself a healthy splash of bourbon—seemingly not concerned with the fact that it was still an hour or so before noon—he began to lecture.

We’re here to review properties belonging to a local company—Sherton Properties—that we are considering buying. Our reputation, it seems, has arrived before us and we’ve received a few threats at our main office in Connecticut. For that reason, I’d like one of you to accompany me while I’m out working on this project, and one to remain with my daughter at all times.

That’s not a problem, I said, feeling as though he required a response.

My meetings will take place from early in the morning until late at night. As long as we are outside of this room, I will expect someone to be at my side no matter the time or how long we’ve been at it. I don’t require much sleep. I expect my people to behave as if they don’t, either.

I glanced at Carlos. I believe you’ll find we are quite capable of keeping up with you.

In fact, our other nature made it possible for us to go days without sleep, but that was not something I felt the need to explain. I could see by the amusement in Carlos’s eyes that he was having the same thought.

My daughter and I will occasionally attend the same meetings. However, she will be exploring the area, looking at Sherton Properties and other spots of interest in this area. For that reason, she will require her own bodyguard. Carmichael glanced toward the balcony doors. And as long as the threats continue to be made against me and my associates, I would like her to have someone close by twenty-four seven. Is that understood?

Yes, sir.

Carmichael came back over to stand in front of me, the ice clinking in his glass. He looked me over from top to bottom before looking across at Carlos. When his eyes came back to me, he focused briefly on the simple gold band I still wore on my left hand.

You’re married?

I glanced at my hand, the object such a part of my existence that I rarely noticed it anymore.

You’ll work with my daughter, Carmichael decided before receiving my answer.

Mr. Carmichael, Carlos protested, you will find that we are both exceedingly professional. Either of us is capable of being objective and appropriate with your daughter.

"I’m sure you are. But I prefer a married man spend the next week with my daughter than an unmarried man with fanciful thoughts on his mind. I’m afraid young people these days tend to focus too much on the romance of specific situations than the reality of them. I blame those silly reality shows, like The Bachelor. My daughter watches that thing and thinks it’s all so exciting. He rolled his eyes. Impractical and shameful, I say."

Carmichael took a sip from his drink, his eyes skating over Carlos again, reading him more accurately than he could imagine.

Annie! he suddenly called. Get your ass in here!

The scratching of the pencil against paper stopped and another sigh, this one heavier than all the others, slipped from the unseen person’s lips. And then footsteps, nearly imperceptible, coming in our direction.

Carlos grabbed a handful of my coat as she made her appearance just inside the balcony doors. Based on Carmichael’s appearance, I’d expected a female version of his red, drink-thickened nose and heavyset body, but the man must have lucked out when it came to finding a mate. This girl didn’t look a thing like her father, except for the deep mahogany red of the hair that fell in thick waves from the top of her head.

She was of average height, but that was all the average there was about her. Dressed in a simple white summer dress, the sunlight seemed to shine right through her, revealing curves that all women desire and few possess. She had long, slender legs, hips that flared in all the right places, a flat belly that led up to breasts that were both