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“Now look what going against my gut got me. I didn’t listen to my gut on information gathering, but I’m sure as hell going to listen to it now. I think Mallory is her name because there was no hesitation when she responded to my use of it.”
Sharlee nodded. “Well, that’s a significant observation and a useful clue. Do you know anything else?”
“She’s a pharmacist, but I don’t know where she works. I assume in town here, but there are plenty of places in and around town that use pharmacists. Since we met in another community, there is no guarantee. And the attendant said she had a great last name for playing. She stopped herself from saying the name, but it started with an “S.”
“Let me look to see what I can find. A pharmacist with the perfect “S” name for a play date.” Sharlee grinned. “Got it. I don’t think I’ve seen a woman get under your skin the same as this Mallory. I was right. She’s special.”
Monroe looked out the window and spoke his thoughts. “She is.”
“I’m going to find her for you. Give me until tomorrow.”
“I’m in the office for a few days, so that will be great. Thanks.”
“You bet.”
***
Those who knew Monroe well enough knew he liked things to be organized and to follow the program. It was usually a program he created. When he was still on the Special Ops teams, he always had several contingencies and worked from one to the other, as needed, with a minimum of fuss. That’s why he and Carter worked well together. Carter was an incredible strategist and could think on his feet.
Mallory was all he could think of when his mind wasn’t on the job. It gave him a punch in the gut feeling when she hadn’t answered his calls. At first, his pride took a hit, and he tried to shrug it off, telling himself it was her loss and all that crap people tried to tell themselves when they were deeply disappointed.
Did he get his signals crossed? No, she had given him the green light after he’d called her a few times before asking her out. Over the weeks, they had talked on the phone for hours. Thursday night had been no different, and that was a first for him. He got the impression it had been a first for her as well.
Mallory had been open, disclosing that she never had a bad boyfriend experience; she just didn’t have much history at all. And what she did have was less than spectacular. Mostly, she never made it to the exclusivity stage because she liked to date without strings.
“But now,” she almost whispered over the phone, “for the first time, I ‘m really considering a long-term relationship is a possibility.”
Her shy but confident demeanor, even over the phone, brought all his protective instincts to the forefront. It was like the call of the wild. The force of his instincts shocked him because outside of his mother and the women of his friends, he hadn’t experienced that strong of an urge to gather anyone under his veil of shelter. That feeling didn’t lessen, and the more they talked, the more he wanted to know about her.
She’d been silent for four days now and three long nights and, Monroe’s instincts were rampaging, and his brain was on high alert. He could read people, could read Mallory enough to know that now he had worked through his disbelief and hurt, something was wrong, very wrong. Mallory would not have ghosted him. He knew Sharlee could find her, and he would follow up and make sure Mallory was okay. Ask her why she didn’t answer his calls. And maybe get out his rubber paddle. She’d respect that.
Even if he wasn’t her Dom any longer, any Dom would have worried. Hell, any man worth his salt and the air he breathed would have been concerned. He’d address her lack of insight after he made sure she was safe. His rubber paddle might get more action soon.
He shook his head at himself. And all that was bullshit. He might go Alpha Charlie on her if it turned out she was avoiding him, but since his gut knew she wasn’t, he would more likely slay her demons and bind her to his side and then his bed. Literally. Sharlee would find her fast. He had to believe that. Too preoccupied, he went home.
The phone rang just as he climbed out of the shower, and his first thought was Mallory was calling him. Finally. But when he picked up the cell, he clicked to accept Sharlee’s call.
“What’s up? What did you find?” He knew his voice sounded harsh, raw, but Sharlee was part of their team and married to Jac. No explanations were necessary.
“You owe me a big, fancy coffee for this. I’m sending Mallory Sasse’s address to you. Did you know there were people with the last name Sasse? There really are. She has a nice place. One of those exclusive townhouses. I wanted to look at one, but Jac wouldn’t let me.”
Monroe sighed. “You have a large country estate, woman. Why would you need a townhouse?”
“Oh, before I moved in with Jac, but he wouldn’t let me and, well, I did want to share his bed.”
Monroe’s voice held a hint of reprimand. “Sharlee, hon, I need the rest of your intel.”
“Oh right, I’m digressing. Jac hates that. Anyway, Mallory Sasse works at The Apothecary in Lexington as the lead pharmacist. I tried to find out if she was there, but they said she was unavailable the rest of the day. I don’t know if that was code for, she’s not there today, or she’s busy.”
Monroe’s tone grew glacial. “Anything else.”
“Of course. Jac said he sent a car to check to see if anyone was home at the townhouse but no luck. He nearly had to bribe his way onto the property. The car, registered in her name, is still at her work parking lot.”
“Meaning she is working,” said Monroe in a voice laced with irritation and disappointment.
“Not necessarily. I tapped into the CCTV, and it has been in the same spot since Friday. Jac will send someone in to ask for her like a customer that was told to return. If she’s working behind the pharmacy counter, they will know. The next guy, if needed, will ask for the pharmacist on duty. They have her picture and will know if he gets someone else.”
“What good will that do?” Monroe asked as he got his pants on, sans briefs.
