Page 57 of Claimed

He jumps up on the stool beside Cody and leans on the bar top. “Do you just hang out in diners and dives all day, or what?” Chase asks, sounding teasing and not accusatory, the way I’d sound.

Cody turns, looking surprised, before his expression turns a bit self-deprecating. “Cold beer and a warm burger, what else could a wolf ask for?” he asks, holding up his beer and taking a swig.

“A mate,” I say, unable to help myself.

“Yeah, well, it’s not in the cards for all of us,” he says, eyeing me before he takes another sip. He seems much more downtrodden than he did the last time we met him.

But as he chugs the rest of his beer and slams it on the counter, he plasters a smile on his face that I can tell is all show. He turns to us, his fingers threading together as he asks. “So, what can I do for you, gentlemen?”

Chase glances around before leaning toward him and lowering his voice. “We’re looking for information on a facility that abducts supernaturals.”

Cody’s eyes spark with fear before he quickly tries to hide it. “Never heard of such a place.”

“You’re lying,” I say, my arms banded around my chest.

Cody gives me an unamused look as Chase explains, “Listen, my mate, she escaped one of these places. We only want to find it so we can destroy it.”

Cody’s eyes bounce between us before he says, “You’ll never find them. They move all the time.”

“That’s why we’re not looking for the facility,” Chase explains. “We’re searching for the doctor.”

“The doctor?” Cody asks, his brows furrowing.

“Dr. J,” Chase says with a nod. “He’s the one who hurt her.”

Cody’s lips tighten before he nods in understanding. “I don’t know anything about him,” he admits, as my heart clenches with pain. I have to find him. “But I know someone who’s been to one of the facilities. He might be able to give you more info.”

“Who?” Chase asks eagerly.

“Finn. He’s a fox shifter.”

“Where can we find him?” I ask impatiently.

“I can give him your number and tell him to call you. I don’t feel right giving you his. I’ve only just met you guys, you understand?” he asks as he pulls out his phone.

“That’s great, thanks,” Chase says. I want to argue that no, that’s not good enough. What if he never calls? But decide to keep my mouth shut and let Chase handle it.

The door to the bar bangs open, and I spin, my body poised to fight the incoming threat. But the man who enters doesn’t look threatening; he looks flustered.

“Is that Dante, the tiger shifter from the sanctuary?” Chase asks as the man rushes in, stopping when his hands slam on the bar top a few steps away from us.

“Dante? You okay?” Cody asks as he steps around us.

“Cody!” He spins to face him, his eyes wide with worry. “Have you seen Zane?”

“Who?”

“Zane! He just moved to town. He’s a panther shifter.”

“I haven’t met him, sorry.”

“Shit,” Dante hisses, pushing his hair back from his face.

“What’s going on? Why you looking for him?”

Dante glances at Cody, then seems to notice us listening and drops his hand, seemingly pulling himself together when he realizes he’s being watched.

“Zane is the new night security guard at the sanctuary. I just need to talk to him before he goes to work tonight, but he’s not at home, and he’s not answering his phone.”