Now that I would drink to. I clinked our bottles once more. “Cheers.”
“And you’re always welcome at our place. Just, you know, call first.” He winked and waggled his eyebrows, making his lewd implications all too clear.
I took a long drink from my beer. “The three of us need some space.”
Not knowing how long my unpaid suspension would last and whether it would become permanent, I stayed with Chase and Lucas to save money while waiting to hear about my fate. Getting to know my brother better was the bright spot in an otherwise uncertain time, but we’d spent enough time together in an apartment too small for three grown men. I doubted any home visits were in our immediate future.
“There’s something about new mates,” Chase said. “They make the pack happy, bring hope, show you what you’re missing in your own life… you might miss our apartment before too long. When Merritt found Aaron, suddenly I was over at their place all the time.”
"Huh. What did Merritt think about me moving in while this mess got sorted out?"
"He’s been laughing his ass off this entire time and making little comments about karma.” He perked up, scanning the bar once more. “Forget about him, let’s find you some company for the evening. I’ll be your wingman. I have a whole library of knowledge about getting guys, girls, or whatever you want."
"Not into girls," I pointed out.
"I’m anexpertin flirting and hooking up, that’s all I’m saying. Use my skills to help you. Somebody should and I can’t for myself."
"Damn right."
"Let me get you laid," Chase said, stupidly serious.
"And you’ll go home and get laid yourself without me there?"
"I’m exercising my fifth amendment right not to incriminate myself.” He waved a hand. “Come on, teamwork. We can do this.”
Contrary to whatever he believed, teamwork wasn’t necessary. I’d done this by myself before. But he had a point.
Totally rebuilding my once pristine reputation was impossible but I was eager to build a life here and commit to the job once more, to fight for every scrap of respect and trust and feel more like my old self again. A moment of fun wouldn’t be the worst thing before back in the lion’s den.
Yet when looking around at all the possible men to spend a night with, my focus quickly shifted to the large tank of a man barreling right for us. Speaking of the lion, Rowan Masterson the lion shifter stopped at our table, scanning the alcohol in front of us.
“Are you guys good to go?”
“We haven’t even finished our first one,” Chase said. “What’s up?”
“You’re needed ASAP. There’s been an escape and we need to find this guy quick before the situation escalates.”
Whoa. Anyone capable of running from a supernaturally re-enforced facility designed to hold unique prisoners meant big trouble.
“How long ago did he escape?”
“Does he have any friends, lovers, or relatives in the area?”
“How did he break out? Did anyone get hurt?”
“Who is this guy? What landed him in prison in the first place?”
We launched questions at the rookie as we left cash on the table and powered out the door. Rowan lacked much information, clearly sent here to fetch us and not brief us. But the last question gave him the most trouble.
Rowan slowed and then stopped moving altogether. “Wait, we aren’t dealing with an escaped criminal or anyone being detained. You’re tracking down a guy who ran from the hospital. This isn’t a prisoner escape, it’s a patient.”
2.…to the Fire
“John”
After so long being a prisoner, freedom was finally within my grasp. Time for my great escape. Easing the heavy door of the back exit quietly shut, I inched out into fresh air and a black sky overhead.
Almost there, just a little farther.
