“Why won’t you tell me?”
“Because you don’t need to know about the shitty stuff.”
“Bullshit.” My eyes flash a challenge. “I’ve coped with the shitty stuff all my life.” I jut my jaw. “I coped when Mom disappeared and when Dad got sick. I coped with dragging your bleeding, messed-up body to hospital, and I’ve coped with keeping my mouth shut about it for three years.”
“Yeah, well, sorry about that. You’re sorry you couldn’t help me, I’m sorry I won’t tell you about my shitty past. Guess we’re quits on the sorrys. Now drop it.”
“That’s all you’re going to say? That’s it?”
“For now, yes.”
I jump to my feet, pick up the cups and shove them in the sink with a clatter. “Fine. You can leave then, get on with your secret squirrel business, never mind that you’ve turned my life upside down.”
Jax stands, pockets his vape in the back of his jeans.
“Fine, I’ll be off.”
“Yes, just go.”
I walk him to the door in sullen silence. He shucks into his jacket and grabs his bike helmet.
To my surprise, he turns and his face softens. “I know you think I’m a total bastard, but I’m glad you’re here.”
Relenting, I biff him lightly on the bicep. It’s so hard to stay mad with Jax. “Love you, bastard.”
“Love you, bitch.”
His eyes hold mine steadily. “You’re in safe hands with Otis, I promise.”
Then he gives me a hug, wrapping me in a remarkably strong embrace before just as quickly letting me go. I watch as he strides off down the path, slams his helmet onto his head, zips up his jacket and straddles a huge black motorbike. He turns the key and revs the engine with a flick of the wrist before riding off, leaving nothing but a plume of smoke in his wake.
CHAPTER NINE
OTIS.
The first thing I do when I get into work is call the assistant sheriff into my office.
Tony Vazzeli is a raccoon shifter. He may be small but he’s a fast operator, zipping around level one in his mini jeep, sorting out the occasional petty crime, and ensuring that there are no unauthorized peripherals moving around the Labyrinth.
He’s been in the sheriff’s office a lot longer than me, and to be honest, he’d be far better in the top role than me, but the Labyrinth voted me into the job, so whether I like it or not, I’m sheriff.
“Tony,” I say gruffly as he hops up onto the stool in my office, bringing us eye-to-eye when I’m seated at my desk. “I’ll need you to cover for me for a few days. I’ll be out of the office more than usual.”
Tony’s furry brows arch. “Finally taking a break?”
“Are you kidding?”
“Well, you bloody need one,” the raccoon challenges. He used to work with my dad and even though he barely comes past my knees, he behaves like a father figure to me. I know he has my back, and I appreciate it.
He crouches on his haunches now, loops his claws into his belt. “You look like shit, have done for weeks.”
“Gee, thanks.”
“Is it health leave? Are you sick?”
I shake my head. “I’m fine. Jax has brought his sister Clem down here. Ostensibly to help me get organized at home. But it’s as much to get her out of Sparkle. Seems it isn’t safe for her up there, and being a close friend of Sammy’s, she’s now a person of interest to the authorities.”
“They’re closing in, huh?” The raccoon’s mouth tightens, and his whiskers twitch as if he’s scenting trouble. “What happened?”
