Stupid shifter.
* * * *
Jackie found if he wore his lightest silk shirt and undergarments, he could move around without crying out in agony. That was actually better than the previous two days, when anything touching his skin made him scream.
His stomach was still in one big knot, so eating anything heavy was out of the question. Jackie opted to make some tea and plain toast. He carried both to the small table by the nook off the kitchen.
He stared aimlessly out the window as he stirred some honey into his tea. Maybe he needed to consider moving? He liked Potter’s Creek. The people were generally friendly, even if he had received a few odd looks. No one had outright said anything about the way he dressed or acted, and that said a lot about the type of people who lived here. It was one of the reasons he had chosen the small town.
He didn’t want to leave the relative safety he had found in Potter’s Creek, except he wasn’t sure it was still safe. Not if there were shifters here. As far as he knew, he had only run into Boone, but the man was the sheriff. That didn’t bode well.
Jackie finished his tea and toast and then cleaned up his mess. He needed to get down to the store and open up. He had already skipped two days of work. He really couldn’t afford to miss any more.
He went about his usual morning routine, showering, doing his hair and a light layer of makeup. Picking stuff to wear was a little harder, as anything touching his skin still felt painful. He chose a delicate pale-peach silk blouse with medium-sized ruffles at the collar and loose-legged white slacks. He topped the outfit off with open-toed sandals that he could easily slip on and off. He suspected he wouldn’t have them on long.
He hated shoes.
Well, that wasn’t true. He loved shoes. He had an entire closet dedicated to shoes. He loved how they looked on his feet. He just didn’t like wearing them very long. Which was why he always made sure his toenails were painted. He had to keep some style and color, even if he was walking around barefoot.
Jackie glanced toward the front door when he heard a knock. He swallowed down his fear and walked toward it. It was light out, so he didn’t think it was those kids who had vandalized his place, but he was still cautious.
When he reached the door, he moved the curtain away from the small window on top and peered out. He didn’t recognize the man standing right in front of the door, but he sure as shit recognized the man standing behind him.
Jackie grabbed the bat he kept behind the door, made sure the chain was in place, and then pulled the door open a crack. He was positive the chain wouldn’t hold Boone off if the man tried to force his way inside, but it might give Jackie a few extra seconds to escape.
“Yes?”
“Jackie Lee,” the man in front of him said. “My name is Hugh Marshall. We need to speak.”
Jackie’s gaze shot to Boone. “No, we don’t.”
“I’m afraid we do, Mr. Lee.” The man’s voice was firm. “I’m alpha of the Potter’s Creek Pride.”
Jackie felt the blood drain from his face as his eyes snapped back to the large man at the door. “There’s a pride in Potter’s Creek?”
Fuck!
How bad could his luck get?
“Go away!” Jackie slammed the door closed. There was no way in hell he was talking to the alpha of any pride.
“I’m not going away until we talk, Jackie.”
Then he could damn well stand there on the front porch. There was no way in hell Jackie was opening that door. He gripped the bat with both hands and backed away. He jumped when the man pounded on the door.
Maybe he needed a gun?
“Open the door, Jackie.” Oh, that was Boone, and he did not sound happy. “We’re not going away until we talk to you.”
Oh, hell no.
Jackie spun around and raced toward his bedroom. He needed to get the hell out of there, and now. He grabbed his bag, car keys, and a light jacket and then hightailed it toward the back door. If he was lucky, he could get to his car and get out of there before they realized he was leaving.
Jackie yanked open the back door and ran right into a large, very firm muscular chest.
Nope, his bad luck was still with him.
“Let me go!” he shouted when Boone grabbed him.
