“Alright, I’ll be back in a few days.” I kissed my dad’s cheek, walked outside, and met Syn on the sidewalk. “Dang girl. This is one big ass truck. You sure you know how to drive it?”
“I’ll have you know I learned how to parallel park in a rig this size. You can put your bag in the backseat with mine. I packed light.” Syn opened the door to the back.
“You’re a lifesaver.” I tossed my small suitcase next to the bright pink one in the back.
“Let’s roll, chica. I want to get as close to Kansas City as possible tonight. We could make the trip in like ten hours, if you want to drive straight through?”
I nodded. “Yeah, let’s do it. If you get tired, I’ll drive.”
Syn turned to me. “Listen. I like you, but nobody drives my baby but me and Kellen. I might trust Xan, maybe even Rowan. But, and this is a big but, nobody else. Especially someone who probably drives a roller skate for a car.” She put the truck in gear.
“I think I almost feel offended.”
“Well, don’t be. I don’t even let Lyric drive my girl.”
“How’s that working for you?” I checked to make sure my phone was fully charged.
“Oh, it’s working great. She has Rowan’s, and that girl has her own shiny toys.” Laughter laced Syn’s voice.
By the time we reached Kansas City, I realized Syn was crazy, in a completely lovable way. And she wasn’t kidding about not letting me drive. Which was fine by me.
“Dang girl, you live in a high-rise in downtown? How did you let your wolf out?” Syn asked, awe making her tone higher-pitched as we parked in the underground parking garage. Finding a large enough spot for the truck and trailer was easy since most residents had two allotted spots.
My large studio apartment afforded me enough room to shift and roam inside, but I hadn’t been able to get out and stretch in the wilds, not like at home. I missed doing that but refused to tell Syn or anyone how lonely I’d been.
“Come on. We can order some takeout and crash. I’m exhausted,” I said more cheerfully than I felt.
We rode the elevator up in silence, our suitcases in front of us. I had to swipe my card in order to get on the elevator. The security was one of the main reasons I’d leased the place. As the lift reached my floor, a feeling of something not quite right settled in the pit of my stomach. I put my hand on Syn’s arm, motioning her to wait. Both of us stayed inside as the doors opened, using our keen hearing and heightened sense of smell before stepping out. On each level, there were only six apartments. Four across from the elevator, and one on each side of the elevator. I had one of the larger ones with a view to die for.
Scents hit me, familiar yet unwelcome. I pressed my finger to my lips and shook my head. Immediately, Syn nodded. How the hell could my partners know I was back and already be at my door? I had no clue, unless it was just lucky timing. However, they shouldn’t have access to my floor unless someone lets them up. I’d have to talk to the front desk.
Taking a deep breath, I stepped out with Syn behind me. Finding the hall empty, I looked around, breathing deeply for the cologne they favored, and I hated. The apartment across the hall reeked of them, making me acutely aware of just how close they had to be.
My door was farther down the hall. I quickened my pace to get to. Syn didn’t seem inclined to do the same, making me want to rush back and pull her forward. My hands shook as I unlocked the deadbolt. When I entered, the alarm didn’t go off. I knew I’d set it. My body, already strung tight, was even more so once I realized the air was heavy with the same cologne. The smell was fresh, not weeks old like it should be.
“Nice place, Doc,” Syn said.
I shut the door, engaged all the locks, and set the alarm. “They’ve been in here.”
Syn dropped her bag, spinning around to face me. “What the hell do you mean?”
Looking around the space, I went into my bedroom. “Syn, come here. I mean, they’ve been here while I was gone, and no, they were not invited, I might add.”
Syn pinched her nose. “Girl, did they swim in that cologne or what?” She stared at me. “I’m thinking you haven’t had them here lately?”
“Try in like months. I had a party that they were invited to. They’ve stopped by on a couple of occasions, for one excuse or another, but never were invited to stay long.” I checked my drawers, seeing nothing out of place. The stacked boxes still looked the same as when I left.
“Okay, this may sound strange, but do you think they might have bugged your place, or put cameras in?” Syn went over to the bank of windows and opened them up. “This will help air out the stink. What the fuck do they think putting all that shit on is doing for them?” Syn opened the door and stepped outside.
I gasped. “Syn, do you really think they might have?” I stopped speaking as I stood on my balcony, looking back inside. “Shit, it’s totally possible. How would we know? I can’t sleep in there thinking they are watching us.”
“I’m calling Rowan. He’d know what we should look for. Hell, he’ll probably be here in no time to check shit out.”
I wanted to tell her no, that we were fine, but the truth was, I was worried. Yes, we could handle two human men, but I’d always sensed something was off with my partners. They weren’t shifters, but they were more than mere humans, of that, I was sure. “Call him.”
“It’s going to be fine.” Syn pulled her phone out. “Hey Lyric, can I talk to your mate? I think we have an issue here at Laikyn’s place in Kansas City.”
I stared out at the night. I could see the Plaza lights and had always thought it romantic how they glimmered. Now, I wishI were back in South Dakota beneath the comforting shell of family and friends.
