AllFreeNovel
Share Us
However, if the stories of Winter being his second-in-command and his chief spymaster for an intelligence network that spread around the globe with Reynolds sitting in its center were true, Sean had little hope of any kind of allegiance. How could that have happened? How could Reynolds have taken a headstrong virgin and molded her into what was rumored to be a lethal weapon? Had she sought him out? Or had the Shadow Sisters taken her there for Reynolds to fashion into something no one had ever foreseen—a female in the role of beta.
The idea of bedding such a woman and siring his offspring on her reignited his need for her. Damn Hamish. She had been beneath him, her thighs cradling his body—soft and willing. All he needed to have done was thrust up into her, and he would at last have known what it was to be one with her. His cock ached in a way it hadn’t since he’d been a boy. He wanted Winter MacKinnon, not just because she was his fated mate, but because of all of the things she had overcome to become the woman who had managed to elude him.
Maybe one day when they were old and gray, watching their children and their children’s children gathered around, he would tell her how much he had admired her tenacity, courage, and strength. He chuckled. Not until then, though. It would not do to give his unruly, ill-behaved, runaway mate that kind of compliment. He didn’t want to think about the kind of foolish notions that might give rise to.
Shit.When he rounded the corner back into town, he could see flashing lights atop SUVs emblazoned with Mystic River’s logo and proclaiming the vehicles to belong to the sheriff’s office. He pulled into the space at the end of the line of the various means of transportation parked out in front of The Workshop—SUVs, cars, trucks, and even snowmobiles. People were milling around, and two uniformed men appeared to be taking statements.
As he exited the vehicle, he could see the crowd moving towards him, flanking the two law enforcement officers who had their hands resting on their guns.
“That’s my Jeep. He must have stolen it,” said a man gesturing towards Sean.
“I beg to differ, I merely borrowed it and am happy to compensate you both for the time and the fuel I used,” Sean said in a heavy brogue.
“That’s far enough,” said the taller and broader of the two men, as both pulled their guns. “Put your hands where I can see them.”
“There seems to have been a misunderstanding…” started Sean.
“Given the heavy Scottish brogue, the only misunderstanding I might believe is ignorance of our laws. But as I recall, it’s illegal to steal someone’s vehicle or take it without their permission in Scotland, as well. Now, get your hands where I can see them.”
Sean stopped and raised his hands so that they were in plain sight. “I am unarmed and mean you no harm.”
The man whose Jeep he had taken crowded the officer Sean assumed was the sheriff’s deputy from behind. “Well, you harmed me by stealing my Jeep.”
“Yes, but I brought it back and have offered to compensate you for your time, fuel, and inconvenience,” explained Sean in a tone that sounded far more reasonable than he was feeling. He was tired, vexed with his mate, and feeling far more annoyed with the situation by the minute.
The sheriff holstered his gun, saying, “Turn around, put your hands behind your head, interlocking your fingers, and then back towards the sound of my voice.”
“I can assure you, sheriff, I have no intention of starting some kind of street brawl…”
“Good; then it won’t be hard for you to do as I asked. For the record, that’s the only time I’ll ask. If you make a wrong move, and that includes trying to shift, Derek will put a bullet in you.”
So, it must be true. Mystic River was a town inhabited only by shifters; otherwise, the sheriff wouldn’t speak so openly about shifting.Seeing no way to de-escalate except by complying with the sheriff’s instructions, Sean turned his back and brought his hands up behind his head before beginning to walk backward towards the sheriff.
“That’s far enough,” said the sheriff before reaching up to take one of Sean’s arms down, bringing it up behind his back and cuffing it before doing the same with the other. “You’re under arrest for stealing a vehicle in Mystic River. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have a right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you. Do you understand your rights as I’ve explained them to you?”
“He shouldn’t have no rights,” said the man whose Jeep Sean had taken—the slur in his voice indicating he’d had too much to drink. “We all saw him come back with it. I say we string him up.”
“This isn’t the Wild West. We don’t hang people for stealing a vehicle,” said the sheriff in a tired voice. “I’m afraid we’re going to have to impound the Jeep until we can go over it in the morning. Derek, take possession of the Jeep and drive it over to our impound area. Dash? Can you see that he gets a ride home?”
“Sure thing, Jax,” said the man the sheriff had referred to as Dash.
The sheriff guided Sean over to the vehicle and put him in the back with his hands still cuffed behind him.
Sean tried to engage the sheriff in a civilized discussion but was cut off. “Look, buddy, I don’t care who you are. I just want to get you to my office, get you processed, and settled in the cell for the rest of the night. I have a beautiful mate who is waiting at home for me and mean to get back to her.”
“I don’t suppose I can call my friend and have him bring bail so I can be released tonight.”
“Afraid not. I’m not about to wake up the judge because you don’t want to sleep in a cell. But you are welcome to call whoever you want.”
When they arrived at the sheriff’s office, Sean was compliant with the sheriff’s instructions. As he locked him in the cell, the sheriff paused, resting his hands on the bars. “For what it’s worth, I think when Charlie sobers up in the morning, he’ll take your offer of compensation and let the matter drop. You sure you don’t want to call your friend?”
“As you said, it’s late and there’s no bail for him to post. No reason for both of us to have to give up sleeping in a comfortable bed.”
“Well, I’ll see you in the morning. Derek will be right outside if you need anything. Can I ask you what brought you to Mystic River?”
“I’ve come to take my mate back home to Scotland.”
The sheriff shook his head. “There’s only one person in town that has an accent as heavy as yours.”
