He goes on to outline the exemplary care Ellis’ mom has received at Serene Brook, but Catherine is watching a young woman in pink scrubs, and I can see her distress reflected in her face. Leaving the director midsentence, I stride over to the caregiver and extend my hand. “Hi, I’m Lily. I’m here to take Catherine home. Are you one of her caregivers?”
The woman is a pretty beta with neat dark hair and laugh lines around her brown eyes. “I’m Jenny. Nice to meet you. I’ve been with Catherine since she arrived, but Roger is the senior caregiver now.”
There’s no malice in her voice as she nods in the direction of the guy in scrubs, but I pull a face. “Honestly, I think we need to get Catherine into a less-stressful environment, and I don’t think Roger is the answer. Are you free to come with me if we leave now?”
She glances at the director, a slight crinkle between her brows. “I was told I’m only here to provide moral support…”
“But you’re fully qualified to look after Catherine’s needs?”
“Of course.” She leans towards me, her voice dropping to a near-whisper. “It’s just that Roger is Mr. Richland’s nephew, and Catherine is an extremely important resident…”
“I get it.” Either the director wants to get his nephew into a cushy overtime position, or he wants a spy in Ellis’ home, so he can stay informed of anything relating to his ‘extremely important resident’. Neither of which I’m about to let happen.
Zander and Wyatt have been hanging back, but now I wave them over. “This is Jenny, Catherine’s preferred caregiver,” I tell them. “We’re going to transfer Catherine to our SUV, and Jenny’s going to come with us to settle her in.”
“Good plan,” Zander says, nodding at the caregiver before striding over to have a firm word with the guy in scrubs. Roger doesn’t take kindly to the interruption, and Wyatt neatly separates him from Catherine, backing him up to the curb. As soon as he’s out of the way, Jenny and I head over to join Zander.
Catherine Castle was a striking brunette omega in her forties when she had Ellis. She had already captivated the world with her blend of Hollywood elegance and down-to-earth warmth and was famous for playing high-powered, confident women with a heart of gold. While I only know her from the roles I’ve seen her play, it’s hard not to feel a wave of grief when her confused gaze meets mine. Of course, I knew she had given Ellis his striking green eyes, but it’s another thing to feel them look at me with cautious hope.
“Hello, Mrs. Castle.” I say softly. “My name is Lily. I’m a friend of your son’s. He’s asked me to come help get you settled into the ranch.”
An uncertain smile quivers on her lips for a moment before she looks at the woman beside me. “Oh, Jenny, I’m so glad you’re here. Roger said I have to do what he says, or Mr. Richland will take away my Baby Blue.”
There’s an almost childlike fear in her voice and as we realize she’s talking about the knitted blanket over her lap, a growl rumbles in the back of Zander’s throat. He’s stayed quiet until now, but his reaction draws Catherine’s gaze and the transformation is immediate. The only thing I can compare it to is seeing a rainbow appear after a month of wild storms and black skies. “Zander! Oh, it’s so wonderful to see you. Is Ellis with you?” She reaches out to touch his hand, hers pale and trembling against his wiry, weathered one. “I know I’m not the best mother, but he’s so much happier spending time with you than me.”
“I think he likes us both just fine, ma’am,” Zander replies, giving her frail hand a gentle squeeze. “Now, how about we go for a ride, and I’ll show you the new horses Ellis just bought?”
She perks up immediately, and I give Zander a grateful smile as he helps Jenny lower the lifter and wheel Catherine over to the SUV. I’m thinking about going over to rescue Wyatt, who’s now having strong words with both Roger and the director, when a hand clamps on my arm, and a strange alpha grins down into my face. He has a recording device in his hand and a camera looped around his neck, so it isn’t hard to guess why he’s singled me out.
“I got some real interesting quotes from the old bat, in between all that word salad sloshing around in her in her brain,” he tells me with a toothy grin that reeks of malice.
“Fuck off!” I hiss, trying to push past him, but he blocks my escape.
“You want me to tell the world how neglect runs in the Castle family? Sounds like the famous Lady Vet could barely keep her own kid alive while she was living it up in Hollywood. I guess the rotten apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, huh?”
“Leave me alone!” I snarl, jerking on my arm, but he just grips me tighter.
“We could do a whole exposé,” he goes on, still giving me that repulsive grin. “Drag all the freaky skeletons out of the Castle closet and make them pay for burying you and your kid in Buttfuck, Idaho.”
I gape at him, the glee-filled malice in his breath making my stomach churn. “None of that is true,” I spit, glaring up at him. “You write any of those lies, and I’ll deny every damn word.”
“Then give me an exclusive,” he wheedles, stepping forward until I’m pressed between him and the side of the SUV. “My editor will pay a small fortune if you give us all the dirt, including a few sexy pictures.”
He lifts the camera with a grin, and I use his distraction to slam my foot down on his ankle. Unfortunately, I’m wearing soft-soled sneakers instead of boots with spurs, but it’s enough for him to stumble back, and then Wyatt is grabbing his shoulder and whirling him around. “Back off, bud,” he growls, “or I’ll shove that camera down your damned throat.”
The alpha sneers at the younger man and juts his chin out belligerently. “Want to go on record saying that? I’m a reporter from the Chicago Sun, and I have every right to do whatever the fuck I want on public land.”
Instead of backing off, Wyatt hooks his thumb in his belt and drawls, “Well, you’re also in Eagle County, asshole, and I know a dozen places I could dump your stinking corpse where only the buzzards would ever take an interest.”
There’s enough confidence in his voice for the reporter to hesitate, and I shoot Wyatt a grateful smile as I open the driver’s door and jump behind the wheel. Zander and Jenny have already settled Catherine into her seat, and as soon as we’re all buckled in, I drive back to the ranch as fast I can, considering the precious cargo I’m carrying.
To my relief, Logan, Otley, and Tristan are all waiting out front when we arrive. They’re careful not to crowd Catherine,who is clearly starting to wilt, but she gives them a polite smile as Jenny and Zander lead her inside. I’m tempted to follow, but the guys don’t hesitate to crowdme, Logan’s eyes narrowing as he reaches for my arm. “Is that a bruise?” He leans forward, inhaling sharply, and no doubt smelling where the reporter grabbed me. “Who the fuck touched you, LeeLee?”
“There was a reporter at the facility…”
“Jack Ward,” Wyatt says, his distaste written all over his face. “He’s a freelancer who said he’s with the Chicago Sun. Cooper’s already looking into him and it seems he’s a real piece of shit, excuse my language, ma’am.” He bobs his head in my direction before focusing on the alphas. “He’s currently renting a room at the Motel 6 in Redstone.”
“Good work,” Otley says, his voice razor-sharp. “Get a vehicle over there now and sit on him for a few hours.”
