End of Night, page 13
As if she could read his mind, Hedra grinned and said, “Need to mark me again, Boone?”
“No,” he said and then pushed her against the wall and did just that. He swiped his face across her throat twice before making a low growl and pressing a kiss against her mouth. “Stay away from Max, sweet lamb.”
“I’m not interested in him,” she said, her voice a bit breathless. “I know you know that.”
He just shrugged and purred to her. He bent his head to kiss her, his nan’s voice stopping him short.
“In the hallway, Boone? My God, at least keep it in your pants at the office.”
He groaned but turned, smiling at Nan, who stood near the bullpen, her hand still gripping Chase’s arm. She sniffed the air before glancing up at Chase. “Hedra stinks nearly as bad as Cooper’s little human mate, doesn’t she?”
“It’s a pretty significant Boone smell drifting from her,” Chase grinned.
“That’s enough, you two. C’mon, Althea, we need to stop at the grocery store on the way home,” Hedra said.
“I don’t want to,” Nan said. “My hip is paining me some.”
“Okay,” Hedra said. “We’ll go home, and I’ll go out to get groceries once Boone is home.”
“I can pick up the groceries on my way home,” Boone said.
Hedra shook her head. “They’re for me, not for you and Althea.”
“It’s fine,” Boone said. “I don’t care.”
She shook her head again. “You are not doing my grocery shopping for me, Boone Jameson.”
“Then I’ll take Nan home while you go to the store. It’ll save you a trip,” Boone said.
“Are you sure?” Hedra asked.
“Yes. I can finish work a little early,” Boone said.
“Okay, I appreciate that,” Hedra said.
“It’s not a problem,” Boone said. “See you when you get home.”
Without thinking, he leaned in to kiss her, and Hedra returned his kiss before giving him a startled look. Obviously, she hadn’t meant to do that either. It was way too fucking easy to pretend she was his mate.
Her face a soft pink, Hedra nodded to Chase and Nan before walking past them and toward reception. Nan stared at Boone with an amused look. Ignoring the look, he said, “Ready to go home, Nan?”
“I’m ready,” she said. “Chase, be good now. Don’t eat too many cookies.”
“I won’t, Mrs. Jameson,” Chase said.
She reached up and patted his cheek. “Call me Nan.”
CHAPTER 15
Hedra slammed her car door and locked it, checking her phone before slipping it into her pocket. She turned, looking up in surprise when her name was called.
Camilla stood beside a dark blue Ford Focus parked next to Hedra’s car. She had her keys in one hand and a grocery bag in the other.
“Oh, hey, Camilla. Small world,” Hedra said.
“It is,” Camilla said with a smile. “Sorry about the office thing earlier. I hope it wasn’t awkward for you.”
“Why would it be awkward?” Hedra asked.
“Well, you know, because of my and Boone’s history,” Camilla said. “I didn’t mean to make you insecure.”
“Like I said before, not insecure, just jealous,” Hedra said with a smile.
A gust of wind blew, and Camilla’s nose wrinkled. “Wow, Boone was a little heavy-handed with the marking, huh?”
“You know, Boone,” Hedra said. “Have a good evening, Camilla.”
“You as well.” Camilla climbed into her car as Hedra headed through the parking lot toward the grocery store.
Camilla drove past her and waved before leaving the lot. Hedra stared at her taillights before muttering, “If you think I don’t know you want my man, girl, you’re crazy.”
Boone isn’t your man.
She sighed and walked into the grocery store. No, he wasn’t, and she needed to stop wishing he was. He was only interested in fucking her, and it wasn’t his problem that she wanted more.
“What do you mean you’re not going home for your family birthday dinner?” Chase asked.
Hedra switched her phone to her other hand and got a better grip on the grocery bag before leaving the store. “Mom and Dad are going to be in Bartwell. Plus, Rosehaven isn’t close, so I’d have to ask Boone for Friday off.”
“He’ll give you the day off, especially if you tell him it’s your birthday,” Chase said.
“It’s not that easy. He’d have to take the day off himself to watch his nan,” Hedra said. “Besides, I just said that Mom and Dad won’t even be home.”
“Sure, but your brothers and sister want to see you,” Chase said.
“I’ll Facetime with them,” Hedra said.
“Maybe you’re not going home for another reason,” Chase said.
Hedra sidestepped a little girl of about five who was holding her mother’s hand with one hand and swinging her free arm in a wide circle as they walked through the parking lot. “What do you mean?
“Are you worried about Mateo?”
“No. He doesn’t even live in Rosehaven anymore, Chase.”
“Sure, but he could be living in any of the communities close to Rosehaven,” Chase said. “We have no idea, remember?”
“I’m not worried about him,” Hedra said.
“He threatened you,” Chase said.
“He’s grieving,” she said. “I understand why he’s upset.”
“He’s not the only one grieving, and it doesn’t justify the threats,” Chase said.
“It’s not a big deal,” Hedra said.
Chase made a low growl. “Yes, it is, Hedra, and if Everett, Jack, and Anthony knew that he -”
“Don’t you dare tell my brothers, Chase. I will never forgive you if you do,” Hedra said.
“Hedra…”
“I mean it,” she said. “Mateo is struggling with his grief and his loss, and I feel sorry for him. He doesn’t need my brothers harassing him again, okay?”
“Okay,” Chase said. “But you’re not celebrating your birthday alone. I’m taking you out on Friday night.”
Hedra smiled as she crossed the lot to her car. “Thanks, Chase, you’re the best.”
“Don’t mention it. You tell me where you want to go, and we’ll -”
“Oh my God.” Hedra stared at her car, nausea rolling through her stomach.
“What’s wrong?” Chase asked.
“I… my car…someone…”
“Someone, what?” Chase said. “Hedra, what the hell’s going on?”
“Someone slashed two of my tires,” Hedra said through numb lips. And they left a knife stuck in the one with a…”
“With a what?”
“A note that says, ‘Bitch’.” Hedra chewed on her bottom lip before looking around the lot. She didn’t see Mateo, but she was still, maybe, freaking out. She placed her grocery bag on the ground and held out her hand, watching how it shook. Oh yeah, she was absolutely freaking out.
“Hedra, I’m on my way. Don’t touch anything, okay?” Chase.
“Yeah, okay,” she said.
“Go back into the store immediately,” Chase said. “Move your ass, Hedra, now.”
“Okay,” she said, grabbing her grocery bag and hurrying back toward the store.”
“Stay right in the middle of the damn store where there are plenty of people until I get there. Understand?” Chase said.
“Yes,” she said.
“Are you in the store?” Chase asked.
“Just walked back in,” she said.
“Good. I’ll be there soon.”
He ended the call, and her stomach churning, Hedra scrolled to Boone’s number. She stared at it, biting her bottom lip with indecision before shoving her phone back into her pocket. She couldn’t call Boone. His priority was his grandmother, and he couldn’t leave Althea alone just to comfort Hedra.
Please call him. We need him.
She swallowed hard and stared blankly at the people walking past her in the store. She wasn’t Boone’s mate. She couldn’t call him.
Boone walked into the grocery store. His tiger paced restlessly, growling and trilling for his mate, and Boone soothed him absently as he searched for Hedra. Fuck, where was she? Chase told her to stay in the store. Had she left anyway?
“Boone?”
He turned, his tiger purring and calling to Hedra. She stood in the gifts and flowers section of the grocery store, a grocery bag at her feet, and her face pale. Boone hurried over to her and pulled her into his arms.
She threw her arms around his waist and buried her face in his throat as he purred and trilled to her. A few humans gave them weird looks, but Boone didn’t give a fuck. All he cared about was Hedra and her safety.
She leaned back and stared at him. “What are you doing here?”
“Chase called me.”
Confusion, relief, and annoyance drifted from her in a heady scent that made Boone’s tiger trill to Hedra again. “Why did he call you?”
“Because I asked him to tell me if this Mateo guy threatened you again,” Boone said.
She sighed. “He shouldn’t have called you.”
“You’re right,” Boone said. He cupped her face, rubbing his thumb along her cheekbone. “You should have called me.”
She acted like she was fine, but he could smell the scent of her fear under her other emotions, and her body trembled lightly against his. “You were with Althea, and I didn’t… I didn’t want to bother you.”
He brushed a strand of her hair back before kissing her gently. “Your safety is not a bother to me, Hedra.”
“I wanted to call you,” she admitted with a shaky sigh.
He rested his forehead against hers and purred to her. “Baby, you always call me. Not your cousin or anyone else. Me. Do you understand?”
She nodded, and he hugged her again, rubbing her back as she took a few deep breaths. He admired her courage when she stepped back, but he took her hand anyway, gripping it tightly as she glanced around the store. “Where’s your nan?”
“She’s at home. Chase is with her.” He squeezed her hand and picked up the grocery bag at her feet. “C’mon, let’s go home and save Chase from Nan’s flirting.”
She smiled shakily at him. “Thank you, Boone.”
“You’re welcome, sweet lamb.”
“Are you all right, human?” Althea said.
Hedra smiled at her before handing her a glass of water and straightening the quilt on her bed. “I’m fine.”
“You don’t smell fine,” she said with a sniff in Hedra’s direction. “Your anxiety is getting my cat worked up something awful.”
“Sorry,” Hedra said.
Althea scowled and caught her hand when she started to walk away. “I don’t mean it like that. I’m worried about you.”
Tears pricked at Hedra’s eyes, and her throat got tight. The tiger shifter’s obvious concern made her a little weepy. She cleared her throat. “I’ll be okay. It’s been a long day.”
Althea squeezed her hand. “You should be relaxing in a hot bath, not bringing me my pills and water. I’m Boone’s problem in the evenings and weekends.”
“You’re not a problem at all,” Hedra said. She sat on the side of Althea’s bed. Not nearly as concerned about her as Althea, Alfie bared his teeth at her and growled softly from his spot on Althea’s second pillow.
“Hush, Alfie,” Althea said. “Chase told me about the cheetah shifter who’s after you.”
“He’s not after me,” Hedra said. “He’s just sad.”
“I know you’re not dumb, human, so why are you pretending to be?”
Hedra sighed. “People make mistakes when they’re grieving and not thinking straight.”
“Boone is worried for you,” Althea said. “Why won’t you let him help you?”
“I am,” Hedra said. “He arranged to have my car towed to a garage owned by his friend to get the tires fixed. He also arranged for Chase to take me to pick up my car tomorrow afternoon.”
“That isn’t what I mean, and you know it. Give Boone this guy’s name,” Althea said. “Let him speak to him.”
Hedra shook her head. “I’m not asking Boone to be more involved in my drama than he already is.”
“So, instead, you’ll just let some crazy cheetah shifter threaten you?” Althea said with a low growl.
“He’s not crazy, he’s just -”
“If you say sad one more time, human, I’ll let Alfie bite you,” Althea said grumpily.
Hedra laughed and leaned forward to kiss Althea’s cheek. “Good night, Althea.”
“Good night, Hedra.”
Hedra left Althea’s room, pausing in the hallway outside. She could hear the low murmur of Boone’s voice and another man’s in the kitchen. Frowning, she walked to the kitchen. “Grayson? What are you doing here?”
Grayson smiled at her. “Hey, Hedra. How are you?”
“Fine,” Hedra said. She pointed to the plastic baggie in his hand with the paper and switchblade tucked carefully inside. “Why do you have that?”
“I took them from the tire before I came into the grocery store to find you,” Boone said.
“Why are you giving it to Grayson?” Hedra asked.
Boone and Grayson glanced at each other, and Hedra frowned. “You can throw them away. I’m not going to the police, Boone.”
“I know,” he said. “But it’s best to keep it in case you change your mind.”
“So, why are you giving it to Grayson?” Hedra repeated.
“He’s checking something for me,” Boone hedged.
“Fingerprints,” Hedra said. “You’re asking him to check for fingerprints with some junior detective fingerprint kit, aren’t you?”
“It’s a professional kit,” Grayson said.
Hedra glared at him, and Grayson gave her an apologetic smile.
“Do you actually think you can find out who Mateo is by dusting for his damn fingerprints?” Hedra asked.
“One hundred percent I can,” Grayson said. “I’m good at my job, Hedra.”
She rolled her eyes. “Give me the note, please.”
Grayson glanced at Boone, and Hedra muttered a curse. “This isn’t Boone’s call.”
“Little lamb, I can’t let you destroy the note,” Boone said.
“It’s not your decision,” she said.
Boone just shook his head, but he took the note from Grayson. “Gray, I’ll bring this to you tomorrow, okay?”
“Okay,” Grayson said.
“No, he won’t,” Hedra said.
“Good night, Hedra,” Grayson said.
She gave him a curt nod, glaring at Boone until Grayson had left the house. “Give me the note, Boone.”
“No, baby,” he said.
She followed him out of the kitchen and down the hallway to his office. She watched in disbelief as he opened a wall safe, using his big body to block her view when he entered the password and stuck the note and switchblade still in the plastic bag into the safe.
He shut the safe and locked it, turning to face her. She planted her hands on her hips and said, “Are you deliberately trying to piss me off, Boone Jameson?”
“No,” he said, “but I won’t let you destroy that note.”
“Instead, you’ll do something I’ve asked you not to do,” she said.
He shook his head, folding his arms across his broad chest as he leaned against his desk. “No. If you don’t want me to have Grayson dust it, I won’t.”
“Thank you,” she said.
“Please tell me his name, sweet lamb,” Boone said.
“I can’t,” she said.
They stared silently at each other before Boone said, “He’s escalating, Hedra.”
“We don’t even know it was him,” she said. “We have no proof that it was Mateo. It could have been some rando who hated how I parked in the damn lot, for all we know.”
“Maybe,” Boone said, “but we both know it was Mateo.”
“No, we don’t,” she said. She rubbed her forehead, trying to ignore the headache starting behind her eyes. “Boone, I appreciate everything you did for me tonight, I really do, but I just want to forget this happened, okay?”
“I can’t do that,” he said.
She blew her breath out. “Why are you being like this?”
“Why are you?” he said. “You’re deliberately allowing yourself to be in danger. Why, little lamb? Help me understand why you don’t want to stop Mateo. Because I know you’re not a stupid woman, but you are making some stupid decisions about this guy.”
“Because the woman he loves is dead, and I was there and couldn’t stop her from dying!” she shouted. “Because I know how deep his grief is and how - how fucked up it can make a person. Because Dianne loved him, and I loved her, and it would break her fucking heart to see me punishing Mateo for his grief instead of helping him.”
She burst into tears, loud, wracking ones that shook her entire body and turned her face hot and red.
“Baby.” Boone stepped toward her, and she backed away, shaking her head.
“I’m tired, and I have a headache. I want to go to bed.”
She left his office, hauling ass down the hallway to her bedroom. Crying quietly, she changed into her pajamas and then used the bathroom, washing her hot face and brushing her teeth before staring at herself in the mirror. She looked terrible and felt even worse.
She was so tempted to go to Boone’s room. Not for sex - her libido had fled for parts unknown - but for comfort.
“That ship has sailed, girl,” she muttered. “He’s pissed at you for refusing to give him Mateo’s information, and you know what? He should be. You’re being a right idiot with this whole ‘stick your head in the sand and pretend nothing is happening’ bullshit you’ve got going on.”
Yeah, maybe she was, but she couldn’t help how she felt. She still held enormous guilt over what her brothers had said to Mateo, how they had threatened him, and if Dianne knew what they had said and done…
