“Guess we’d better get moving then,” Dave said. He swung around to put his feet, very carefully, on the floor, but Christian’s hand on his arm stayed him.
“You said you found out who was responsible for Jesse’s pack,” he said. “Who was it?”
That sudden threat rumbling in his voice was as if he’d switched gears, remembered what they’d found up on that cliff, and if he could make someone pay for it, he would.
“Tristan sent me a photo of someone Matt already suspected,” Dave said. “I don’t know who he was, but he must be Council-related to have been at the ranch. Justin recognized him. Said he was here and asked him questions about the pack on the cliff in the days before they were—well, you know.”
Somehow, it had gone from something terrible that had happened long ago to feeling so much more real andpresentnow they’d seen where the pack used to live, to love, where Jesse used toplay.And where they were buried.
Christian, too, was quiet for a moment. When he spoke, Dave realized he’d been thinking about something quite different from Dave.
“He recognized a guy from that long ago? And that guy just happened to have asked questions of the one person you showed that photo to?”
Dave opened his mouth to reply, then he thought about what Christian had said.
“A bit convenient, isn’t it?” Christian added.
“I mean, when you put it that way,” Dave admitted. “But you didn’t see him—he was cut up as hell about it. It wasn’t just a story he was spinning, I’m sure of it.”
“You trust people too much,” Christian said. Somehow, today, it didn’t land like the criticism Dave would have heard it as before. It felt more as if Christian was worried for him.
Dave sat quietly, thinking about Justin. He remembered that flicker of suspicion he’d had at the beginning about his motives, before he’d gotten toknowJustin. He’d swear he was all he seemed. But he did seem to be different from the other members they’d met. Maybe his quiet, open friendliness and sensitivity weren’t who he really was.
And then there was that time he hadn’t reported to Barton for orders, instead sticking with Dave. Perhaps because he’d alreadyhadhis orders—to keep an eye on the strange shifters and find out what he could about them.
“But why would he lie about knowing that guy?” Dave asked, still not entirely convinced as he remembered how upset Justin had been. Had seemed, anyway.
Christian was quiet a moment longer, and when he looked up to meet Dave’s gaze, his eyes were bleak.
“I can only think of two reasons. Either he wanted to please you, or…” He drew a deep breath. “Or we were wrong. It wasn’t a councilor who did this. It was Barton and his pack, and Justin was laying a false trail to divert suspicion.”
Fuck.Dave lay back against the pillow, suddenly winded. Everything in him said Christian was wrong. But if he was right…
“We don’t know anything for sure,” Christian said. “Not yet.”
Dave nodded slowly, then looked at Christian again.
“So if the pack might be involved, d’you think we should hang around longer, try and find out?”
To his deep relief, Christian shook his head. “We wouldn’t be welcome even if we wanted to, after I ran out on them last night. Let me get that truck back, say what I need to, and then we can get out of here.”
And at least they hadsomethingto report to Matt. Not a clear, definitive answer like they’d hoped to find, but more than they’d had before. Maybe it would be enough to lead them to the truth.
Chapter Twenty-eight
DAVE
He hobbled his way out to the car while Christian settled their account. Leaning against the warm metal, taking the weight off his ankle with a thankful groan, he watched Christian walking across the forecourt toward him. He still moved like he was ready to explode into action at any second, but the storm that had been behind his eyes for weeks had finally passed.
Dave had never been able to see anyone’s aura, unlike Morgan, but Christian’s gaze was lighter and clearer. It was only now he realized just how filled with turmoil it had been.
He knew he was grinning widely at him and when an SUV pulled into the lot, he glanced away and tried to control it. They hadn’t encountered any of that kind of trouble so far this trip, but it would be reckless to assume everyone would be happy with two gay guys, let alone gay shifters.
He schooled his expression further as the doors of the black vehicle opened, and then the smile left his face entirely. The four large men who’d got out were shifters, heading toward Christian.
Christian realized at the same time he did and pivoted on his heel, ready for trouble. As Dave moved forward, he saw Christian relax slightly, evidently recognizing the guy in front of him.
“Tony,” he said. “I was just coming to see you about last night.”
