Sweet mother of pearl. No one sends a self-vanishing message unless they are highly motivated.
Ignoring the question mark on my driver’s face, I tap my tracker app and breathe a little easier. According to her pink sneaker, Abbie is still at the beach house my husband rented for the summer.
A little less freaked out but still agitated, I call him.
“Jesus Christ, Gwen. Do you know what fucking time it is?” He speaks so loudly, I’m sure the Wulf guy can hear.
Biting my tongue, I ignore his tone. “Is Abigail with you?”
“Of course she is. She’s asleep.”
“Check her.” I will not be intimidated by this jerk.
“You know what? You need help.” He should learn some new lines because these no longer work on me.
“Yes, I’m getting some. Please check she's okay.” I hold my breath, and naturally, the asshole refuses.
“I’m not going to enable you.”
A switch flips in my brain, and in an instant, I turn into a giant, grizzly-momma-bear. “For fuck’s sake, do it, Farid. If you don’t, I swear I will march over there, take her home, and tell the judge I caught you sexually abusing her. Do not test me.”
He curses me up and down, then sends me a picture of her sound asleep in her bed. “There. You happy now, you stupid cow?”
“Thank you.” Once I hang up, I glance over at the concerned Wulf and clunk the heel of my hand on my forehead. “Please don’t ask.”
Fortunately for everyone, we’ve arrived at the hospital. After he parks the car and jumps out, he opens my side door. He doesn’t say a word, but that conversation must have made him uncomfortable.
“Thanks, I got it from here. You've been too kind. Buh-bye.” My face heated, I race to the emergency entrance.
“It’s late. I’ll walk you to the door.” As he trots alongside me, I cannot believe he didn’t take the hint.
Inside, the scents of antiseptic mixed with flowers conjure thoughts of my mom’s last days. Knees weak, I swallow back the memories and stroll up to the desk.
When my boss’s husband steps out from behind a column, I jump and hug the six-foot-plus Australian. “Lucky? Thank Godyou’re here. Henry had a heart attack on the beach, and I can’t get ahold of Callie.”
My shadow waits for me to let go before stretching out his hand. “Axel Wulf. I was there when it happened and offered her a ride.”
“Thanks, mate.”
Bear, who must have followed us, wags his tail, sits, and whines for attention, his eyes glued on the bodyguard.
Gears click, puzzle pieces fall into place, and my pulse races. The dog knows Lucky, which means Axel knows him, which means I am totally fucked.
Wulf didn’t simply happen to be on the beach tonight! I’ve been under surveillance, dammit.
Despite how hard I try to hide my emotions, the two men do a double take and exchange knowing glances.
“I’ll see to Henry. Callie needs you back at the lab. Let’s talk outside.” Lucky walks me through the sliding glass and leads me to the back of an idling black Ford. “This man will drive you back to DC. My wife will fill you in when you arrive at the lab.”
Chapter 4
A gentleman is simply a patient wolf.~Lana Turner
Axel
When Lucky joins me outside, I stare at the fading taillights and scratch my chin’s stubble. “Do you think she knows?”
His wife, no doubt, has biased his judgment. “Did you see her face? I felt like I kicked a puppy. I tell you, mate, she’s no traitor.”
