I laughed so hard it morphed into my silly laugh. Sometimes you just need to let go when things fall apart in order to keep yourself together.
Naya went back home and I called Officer McNeal. He didn’t answer, so I began listening to my messages. Twelve were hang-up calls from Beckett, according to my caller ID. Lorenzo had left three brief messages, but I saw his number come up five more times. I was surprised he hadn’t assumed I was just brushing him off. But before he turned stalker on my ass, I figured maybe I should give him a call and let him know this wasn’t a good time for me.
What made me curious was wondering if Lorenzo was a Shifter, did he know I was one too?
“Church,” he answered.
“Hi, is this Lorenzo?”
There was a brief pause. “Is this who I think it is?”
“That depends on who you think it is.”
“Yeah,” he said with a dark laugh. “It’s who I think it is. I’m glad you decided to give me a call, Alexia.”
“Call me Lexi.”
“Why?”
“Look, I’m sorry you’ve been going through the trouble of calling. I’ve had some family stuff come up that I need to take care of, but I didn’t want you to think I was being rude and ignoring your calls. I’m not like that. If I don’t like you, I’ll tell you flat-out.”
Lorenzo laughed. “That I believe. Why don’t you invite me over and we’ll talk? Maybe I can help with your problem. I’m a good problem solver.”
I suddenly remembered the cameras that had been installed. As in plural. I sure didn’t see the one outside, so if there were any inside the apartment, I was going to have to get Austin to take them out. That was a little invasive, especially since I liked walking around in my underwear on Saturday nights while watching movies and making quesadillas.
“Alexia? Speak to me.”
“I’m… what did you ask?”
“You were about to tell me your address so I can help you with your problem.” Before I could reject his offer he said, “I think it’s time the both of us come clean. I’m a Shifter, Alexia, and I know you’re one too. I don’t know what pack you belong to, but whatever trouble you may be in, my people can help. I’m a Packmaster. I got strong connections, money… whatever you need.”
And that was an attractive offer. More help.
“Did you hear about a mother and daughter gone missing?”
“Yes.”
“That’s my mother. We found my sister, but my mom’s still missing.”
He covered the receiver and I heard muffled conversation. “Tell me where you are. I got thirty men I can put on this right away.”
Thirty?
* * *
Lorenzo swung by in his monster black truck with the skull and crossbones on the back window and took charge of the situation. He was already on the phone with his pack, relaying information and barking out orders.
No pun intended.
He helped me into his truck and I felt like I was on a carnival ride due to being so high up. After a trip to my mom’s house, he shut me up in the back bedroom while he shifted into his wolf to sniff things out. That was around the time I started to notice a restless feeling stirring within me. Something so primal it felt innate.
Thirty minutes later, I locked up the house and we sat inside his truck.
“Nothing?” I asked.
“I picked up a scent,” he said, leaning his head back and sliding the key into the ignition. “Not the alpha who pissed all over the yard, but the one who took your mother.”
“Can you tell the difference between a Shifter and human? There were other men in and around the house.”
