Page 93 of His to Claim

As I glanced at the faded employment record, I rubbed my finger across my father’s name. “What were you investigating?”

I finally found a news program and was prepared to dial Randy one last time when breaking news flashed on the screen. I didn’t even need the sound, Randy’s picture popping up as being one of the victims.

I backed away, blinking several times, my instinct on overdrive. Chris had managed to follow me to Randy’s house. He’d been the one to pull the trigger. I’d been a damn fool to try to solve some riddle on my own. In the process, I’d gotten at least one man killed.

Whatever Stone believed he knew had occurred, I was positive that Chris was behind Randy’s assassination. Even if Stone’s friend was able to find something of use on the drive, I knew law enforcement too damn well. It would take a solid week for the evidence to make a difference, warrants being issued. By then, Chris could destroy everything, leaving the investigators in the lurch.

I stood staring at the news report, unable to turn up the volume. I wasn’t in the mood to hear anything else.

Including about wolves.

My stomach churned from the heightened level of bile, my rage turning it into acid. I glanced at my phone again, a part of me longing to reach out to Stone. I knew if I did, he’d make certain I couldn’t go through with what was necessary. I stared at the pictures on the television one last time, the faces of the victims burning into my mind.

Three of them were wolves, Wolfen to be exact. At least according to Stone. Did the medical professionals know? When an autopsy was completed, were the creature’s structures so different that terror was born?

When I noticed Chris’ face on television, a reporter catching him as he walked into the office building, I turned up the sound, lifting my middle finger.

“Mr. Montenegro. Can you tell us what happened?” As the cameraman panned to the damaged area, plywood already covering the broken glass, I smirked. At least I knew where the asshole would be for a little while. A chance I was willing to take.

“No comment,” Chris huffed, blowing him off.

“There were unconfirmed reports of wolves in the area. Do you know anything about this?”

As Chris stopped, turning slightly, the smile on his face was exactly the same one I’d seen since day one. Superior.

Knowing.

The fucker knew of the existence of the wolves.

“Fuck you,” I whispered, tossing the remote.

I paced the floor for a few seconds, finally unable to stand simply doing nothing. The single connection to my father that had been identified was Montenegro. The final piece of the puzzle, or so I’d thought. What if it was actually the beginning? Bottom line, I refused to allow the asshole to get away with his crimes. Even if Jack didn’t give a crap about what I’d sent him, someone would.

In the meantime, the monster would answer my questions.

I glanced around the kitchen, attempting to find my keys. Someone had brought my car here, likely the second wolf I’d seen with… Stone. They had to be lying around somewhere.

The entire situation was ridiculous. As an attorney, I should know better than to allow my mind to play tricks on me. Everything was spinning, my muscles aching. If I didn’t know better, I’d say I was coming down with the flu.

Christ. That was the last damn thing I needed.

I grabbed the piece of paper with my father’s information from Stone’s desk and folded it, shoving it into my back pocket, hesitating before searching for another piece of paper and a pen. My hands shook as I scribbled a note, a single tear forming. In some weird way, I felt like I’d found a life. Here.

With Stone.

No matter if…

I refused to think about it, even though I knew the truth, perhaps had always known. All the dreams. All the questions. All the conviction.

At least now I could end the nightmares.

After pushing my lips against two fingers, I pressed them against the note, praying he wouldn’t have to find it. Then I stormed into the bedroom, finding my keys on Stone’s dresser. I threw on my shoes, grabbing my purse. I could do this. I would find answers. Maybe I could return before my disappearance was noticed.

Right.

Wolves had eyes in the back of their heads.

Wolfen…

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