Carter frowned. “What kind of medical procedure could a skinwalker need?”
“Skinwalker?” Hadley asked.
Crap, Carter thought. He hadn’t even realized what he’d said. Another example of how comfortable he was with Hadley. Well, now the cat was out of the proverbial bag now, too. He glanced at her, expecting to find her in the midst of a meltdown. Knowing about werewolves was one thing, but learning about skinwalkers was another. But she was sitting there calmly, sipping her iced tea, regarding him with a curious expression.
“Yeah, Kamden is a skinwalker,” he said. “They’re supernaturals that can assume another person’s appearance. Don’t ask me for details about how they do that—I don’t know.”
“Wow,” was all she said, clearly amazed, but definitely not tripping.
That was a good thing.
Carter looked at Knox. “Why the security detail? Are Lydia and Kamden in danger?”
“We’re not exactly sure,” Knox said. “Lydia’s mother is actually the one who hired us.” He glanced at Hadley. “Lydia and her mom are both witches. Anyway, she picked up on some chatter on the supernatural version of the dark web that has her freaking out. Word is, someone is in Dallas looking to take down a skinwalker. Considering Kamden is the only skinwalker in the city, that we know of, you can understand why she’s worried. Since we could be dealing with a supernatural threat, Karissa and I thought it’d be a good idea to bring in a few members of the Pack as backup.”
After moving to Dallas to be with Hale, his fiancée had gotten a job at Knox’s company. With her skills as a Paladin, Karissa was a natural fit.
“Are we talking some kind of supernatural contract killer or your random garden-variety a-hole with a personal grudge against Kamden?” Carter asked.
“We don’t have much to go on as far as the killer’s identity, but Karissa’s Paladin instincts are telling her that the threat is legit,” Knox said. “Which is why we need the three of you hanging around. We’re hoping that it’ll make this person think twice before attacking Kamden. It will also give Karissa and me the freedom to work behind the scenes and track down the threat while he’s focused on the three of you.”
Hadley lifted a brow. “Meaning Carter, Trey, and Hale are what, bodyguards? A distraction? Bait?”
“A little of each,” Knox admitted.
Over a dessert of some seriously delicious homemade peach cobbler, they discussed the details of the job, including where Lydia and Kamden were staying, what they knew as far as their schedule, and how often Carter and his pack mates might be needed.
“This all seems pretty cut and dry,” Carter said before that irritating adult voice in the back of his head began to make itself known. “But I should probably ask if you know about the problem I’ve been having lately controlling my inner wolf? Not only did I wolf out in the middle of therapy earlier. I also had another episode this morning while I was jogging. Needless to say, these lapses in control have a habit of happening at really crappy times.”
While Hadley looked almost proud at Carter’s confession, Knox and Karissa seemed completely unfazed.
“I have no doubt that with Hadley’s help, you’ll be fine,” Karissa said. “We’re not worried about you losing control at the wrong time.”
“I’m glad you’re so confident,” Carter muttered
He wondered if he should go into more detail about what happened at Bachman Lake. A glance in Hadley’s direction revealed that his shrink was sitting there regarding him patiently, as if she could read his mind and was leaving it totally up to him.
In the end, he decided against saying anything else. Taking part in this off-the-books side job was almost certainly foolhardy, but he could use the distraction. Heaven knew that sitting around his apartment waiting for his next therapy appointment—interspersed with daily runs and lifting weights—wasn’t doing him much good. Maybe Karissa was right. With Hadley’s help, he might be able to get through this.
When their server brought the checks around as the lunch wrapped up, Carter paid for Hadley’s meal without thinking about it.
“You don’t have to do that,” she protested.
“I want to,” he said. “It’s the least I can do for all your help. Besides, I asked you to lunch, remember?”
Hadley laughed and nodded. “Okay. Thanks.”
“Karissa and I are going to head over to Lydia and Kamden’s hotel to talk about their schedule if you guys want to join us,” Knox said, standing up.
“Sounds good,” Carter said.
His pack mates both agreed, sliding back their chairs.
“You guys go ahead,” Karissa said, glancing at Knox. “I’m going to hang out a little longer with Hadley and catch up.”
Hadley smiled. “I’d love to. But I can only stay half an hour or so. I have to get to Coffield Unit by three.”
Carter winced at the reminder. He knew it was Hadley’s job to talk to these sickos, and that she was undoubtedly very good at the job, but still, the thought of her being in the same room with someone like Strickland twisted his stomach into knots.
