By the time they made it to the kitchen, Matt was more than ready for the breakfast Bryce was dishing up.
“Jason took the later patrol, so I sent him to get some sleep,” Bryce said as he piled eggs on plates. “I also spoke to some people last night, now that we have a name. Cale’s bad news.”
Bryce turned the stove off and joined them at the table. “He’s a ruthless bastard with a small but brutal pack. They’ve never challenged an established pack that anyone knows of, but you know as well as I do that a lot of smaller packs out there are like us and don’t like involving the state councils in their business. Whatisknown is that he’s got connections with organized crime and that anyone who crosses him has a habit of disappearing.”
“Where’d he come from originally?” Matt asked, between mouthfuls.
“No one knows. Or if they do, they’re not saying. I guess no pack wants to own him.”
“With that reputation, a little spot of hit-and-run would be nothing for him.”
Jesse sucked in a sudden breath, and when Matt looked over at him, his eyes were bleak.
“You know it’s not your fault?Nothingthat’s happening is your fault. It’s all on Cale.”
Jesse nodded, but he wouldn’t meet Matt’s eyes. Bryce leaned over and caught Jesse’s gaze. “Matt’s right. It’s not on you.”
Jesse’s nod looked a little more certain this time, like either hearing it twice—or from someone with no reason to want him to feel better—made it easier to believe.
Matt’s heart squeezed at the way Jesse was sliding into the pack without even realizing it. Maybe, if he could just prevent Jesse from noticing a little longer, he’d forget all his prejudices about packs and end up staying.
But that was a problem for later. Right now, he needed to get into town and prepare to meet Cale.
“Be careful, Matt.” Bryce’s expression was solemn as Matt stood. He evidently hated the idea of Matt going into town alone, but he knew it was his job to look after the pack in Matt’s absence.
Matt took a last mouthful of coffee before standing up. “I will.”
On his way past Jesse, Matt squeezed Jesse’s shoulder. He didn’t want to let go again, but he had to.
“I’ll be back soon,” he said, picking up his keys from the counter. And he hoped he was telling the truth.
* * *
Matt was going through the crime scene reports from the previous day when unease prickled at his senses. A quiet tension began to build, and something crawled up his spine. It was no surprise when Janice tapped on his door with the news that Mr. Cale wished to see him.
“Send him in, Janice.”
Cale entered the office like he owned the place. Not just confident but comfortable, like he’d already decided how this would go. His gaze flickered over every detail as though cataloging weaknesses, his eyes lingering on the framed photo of Matt’s pack.
Taking the chair opposite, Cale leaned back deliberately, the fine weave of his dark red shirt catching the light. It looked out of place on a man who led a pack that lived wild. That, Matt thought, was the point. Cale intended Matt to understand he wasn’t just some stray, scrabbling for dominance. He had resources and connections. He wasn’t here to beg or threaten. He was here to take.
“Sheriff Urban.” His voice was smooth, but the force behind it hit like a punch. “You’ve got something that doesn’t belong to you.”
After a brief flick of his eyes when Cale had entered, Matt had kept his attention on the paperwork in front of him. He let the moment stretch, just enough to make it clear he wasn’t playing Cale’s game.
Something? It seemed Cale was too in love with his own performance to speak plainly. He had to mean Jesse.
A dark, ugly heat uncoiled in Matt’s chest. Jesse was his own person, and the idea of someone claiming him like a dropped wallet incensed Matt. But he kept his expression neutral as he finally met Cale’s gaze. “I like people to speak plainly.”
Cale leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. He was less relaxed now. “I want my property back, Sheriff. And I’m not leaving this town without it.”
Matt set the pen down and leaned back in his chair. “You put one hand on him, and you’ll find out just how serious I am about this,” he said, his tone calm but iron-hard. “You’re going to leave my jurisdiction the way you arrived—alone.”
Cale’s laugh sounded sharp, edged with something unpleasant. “That sounds like a threat.”
Matt met his gaze, steady, unwavering. “It’s a fact.”
Something flickered in Cale’s expression. A recalculation, perhaps. Then he smiled. “Well, this is going to be more entertaining than I expected. A washed-up has-been playing alpha and a collection of strays calling themselves a pack.” His eyes drifted back to the framed photo. “Jesus, Urban.” His voice was softer now, more personal. “For someone who had prospects, you’ve really gone small-town, haven’t you?”
