“When Merritt and I first started working together, a mage attacked Aaron during a case. He was hurtbecause of me.I was supposed to be watching him. I got sidetracked trying to help someone else. Someone who wasn’t even in danger. They were a ruse to keep me away and I fell for it.”
Though it happened months ago, and Aaron certainly seemed recovered and fine, Chase still carried immense guilt, so I found myself trying to reassure him. “Sounds like an honest mistake.”
The words did not bring him comfort. “Merrittwouldn’t have made it.” He groaned. “He’dbe suspicious. I should have thought before I…well, I learned a lesson. I swore I’d do better, but then you come along.”
And now the pattern was repeating? "When we met, you skipped a meeting for your other case to help me."
"The crazy part is I shouldn’t have even been at the gas station. I was running late and made an unnecessary pitstop."
"What, really? Why?"
"Because I’m irresponsible and never take things seriously.” He chuckled bitterly. “Just ask Merritt. He’ll tell you all about it over French toast in the morning."
"But you did have a reason." Chase liked to focus on problems he could solve, and he didn’t always follow the rules, but he had his reasons for bucking them.
“A buyer offered enough money to skip the auction,” he explained. “And the Brokers brought his top three choices for mates to him. We were busting this incredibly wealthy scumbag at the right time and rescued these three. One is a supposed shifter like you, he’s barely even in college. He willingly puts himself through hell to remember every last ugly detail in case it helps. The only time I’ve ever seen him remotely relaxed was during our last meeting when I bought an extra candy bar from a vending machine for him. So, uh, I thought some waffles might help."
"You wanted it to be a little easier on him."
Chase didn’t stop because he lost track of time or didn’t care if he were running late. He decided that any negative consequences of being late weren’t as important as setting the witness at ease.
“You were taking care of your informant,” I said. “You were doing your job."
"Even if I had a good reason then, there isn’t one forthis.For talking to you in your room late at night.”
“And you’re trying to what, follow the rules…” Be more like his brother? “And not act inappropriately.”
“I’m trying to do right by the people who are important to me. I can’t mess anything up for Merritt… And I can’t put you in more danger.” Chase stared at me, gaze loaded. “I have to do right by the people who are important to me.”
Hearing those words, I fought to stay still and not close the distance between us. But knowing the truth, that this wasn’t all one-sided or in my head made it easier to accept.
The timing wasn’t right. But I was important to Chase. It didn’t sound like that was going to change anytime soon. So, I could wait until the time was right.
15.Brains Over…Other Body Parts
Chase
Reason 734 Not to Sleep with Lucas Milton: Merritt was home. He’d hear us, storm in, and gut me. We were trying to protect Lucas over here, not scar him for life.
The man saw me coming out of Lucas’s bedroom because I nearly ran into him. His hackles raised in under a second and he expanded his senses with an overexaggerated inhale, trying to detect if anything happened that he should be killing me for.
Apparently satisfied with what he found, or failed to find, I lived to annoy him another day. I opened my mouth to speak, he shook his head and led me away from the others in the house first. He ushered me into the home office.
Merritt heaved a sigh and settled down into the office chair. His best stern face appeared, first directed at me, then directed at the folksy painting of wolves frolicking under the light of the full moon behind me, then back to me.Here it comes.
“Bolton’s attorneys are dueling with ours to set up another meeting,” he said.
Oh, not where I expected him to head, but I covered my surprise and kept listening.
“They’re still alleging Bolton has a legitimate claim, so you’ve got some time to prepare.” Ah, a subtle hint. “Read up on current and past mating customs.” Not so subtle there.
"Lucas didn’t agree,” I reminded. “So Bolton doesn’t have a legitimate claim."
"You’re the one who said the…dastardly baronappears legit initially. Bolton’s confident because he lives in a world where enough money buys him anything. I’d wager he’s got phony documents saying the exact opposite of Lucas’s story. We’d sort out the truth given time, but they’re going to try taking this as far as possible and capitalize on any mistakes. The more legit he seems and the farther they get, the easier it is to say he was duped too.”
“Right. I get it.”
The Brokers were tight-lipped and secretive outwardly, but there was no mistaking their intentions privately. Legitimately arranged matings didn’t need special collars that helped subdue mates and their powers.
