AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“No, I didn’t really know your father, but I knew of him.”
“Then talk to me. I’ve done nothing but reach a damn dead end.” When he seemed locked in his observation of the street, I pressed on. “I’ve already learned the Montenegro Corporation had something to do with his life, although I’ve tried to figure out what and haven’t been successful so far. I even took a job there just to try and solve a portion of the mystery. I learned early on about their dangerous reputation, but where else am I supposed to look? Was my father an employee there? Did he fight with Thomas Montenegro for some reason? From all I’ve been able to tell, it was as if Lucas didn’t exist. There are no records of him and I have my sources as you can imagine.”
He cautiously took several sips of his tea, finally turning in my direction. “I’ve been very careful over the last few years while I continued researching my beliefs. I’ve made no overtures toward the pack or anyone living in Roselake.”
“Roselake.” There was the name mentioned in the article. I acted as if I had no clue, watching his expression.
He snickered, shaking his head. “You have so much to learn. Roselake is a city located outside of Denver created almost a century ago to house members of the pack. To any other human, the city itself is a flourishing little town of very nice people.”
“But you believe otherwise.”
Randy snorted. “I know differently, Ms. Bridges. I’ve been chased by wolves on more than one occasion.”
I wasn’t shocked at his revelation; I was excited at the thought of finding out more. “If they’re so dangerous, why weren’t you killed?”
“Because they only wanted to threaten me. You see, the Wolfen aren’t allowed to kill humans unless they are concerned for their lives.”
“Fascinating.” My thoughts drifted to Stone. I continued to reject my fears, but what if he was a monster?
“Yes, and I can tell you still have your doubts. I will tell you this, Ms. Bridges, and nothing more. Stay away from Montenegro, the company and the men involved. They are bad news all the way around, extremely dangerous, including Thomas. He is truly evil. If either man has any inkling that you are searching for any information about Lucas Tremaine, you will disappear. As far as your father, you’re going to need to learn about him yourself.”
“That means you know him. Why won’t you tell me? Why? Are you afraid of my father, what he will do if you tell me where he is?”
Randy inched closer, his eyes locking on mine. “I assure you, Ms. Bridges, as you suspected, your father is no longer alive. They wanted him dead. They made it happen. Poof. He’s gone.”
“They? What the hell are you talking about? Who is ‘they,’ Thomas? His son?” Chris would have been far too young at that point. Another lump formed in my throat, only this time of rage. Who would want to kill my father?
He closed his eyes, humming softly to himself.
“Wait. They. Are you talking about the Wolfen? They murdered my father? Or is this completely about the Montenegro kingdom?”
“I can tell you no more,” he insisted.
“Damn it. You know exactly what the hell is going on and you refuse to tell me. Why? Are you afraid for your life?”
“My life doesn’t mean much any longer, Ms. Bridges. I think you only need to look around my house and see that I’m not lying to you. What I fear is the carnage and devastation that could be caused if the truth comes out.”
“Can you at least tell me if my father worked there at some point?” I was exasperated, my thoughts spinning. “Please?”
He exhaled in what seemed like an exaggerated fashion. “What I can tell you is that your father had a connection to them at one point. The reason why he kept very secret.”
“A connection. Great. I’m no better off. I’ve searched their files. I’ve looked for anything with his name on it. Nothing.”
He lifted his index finger, his face pensive. “Be very careful, Ms. Bridges. The Montenegros have powerful friends.”
I was sick to my stomach, my nervous system so on edge that I could no longer see clearly. I somehow managed to place the cup on top of a stack of books, glaring at the spines. My God, the man was so consumed that he believed absolute bullshit. “There’s no such thing as werewolves.”
“No, there isn’t, Ms. Bridges. The Wolfen and every other breed of wolves that have lived on this earth since the beginning of time are much more, a superior power. They’ve tolerated humans for the centuries, living behind a curtain of their own terror. I assure you that one day, they will take back control.”
His words filtered into my ears, but my mind refused to grasp the bullshit he was feeding me. “You refuse to tell me anything about my father?”
“You will find answers. What I can say is that your father was a powerful man.”
“Man or beast?”
He shifted his gaze back toward the blinds, as if able to see the road clearly.
“Thank you for your time, Mr. O’Rourke. I’ll see myself out.” I was stunned, refusing to accept what he’d told me, although the nagging inside my head told me the man wasn’t lying.
