Carrying it to the table, Sailor carefully went through the main compartment and then all of the pockets. Other than a couple changes of clothing, and the most basic toiletries, there wasn’t anything remarkable to find. Her wallet held a hundred and twenty-seven dollars in different denominations, a driver’s license, and a single bank card. Both cards showed names that matched the name she’d given him.
There was something about the backpack, and the woman, that had the hair at the back of his neck standing on end, warning him of danger. He just couldn’t figure out why.
It was time to call in someone more suited for getting answers from lying Little girls.
Digging his phone from his red messenger bag, he stepped out onto the porch to make the call so he wouldn’t wake her. Since he didn’t use technology often, it took a couple tries for him to get into the phone and make the call.
When Kodiak Furr, the head of the security team answered, Sailor said simply, “I need to see you. Can you come to my cabin, please? And bring the boss.”
CHAPTER 4
Lily woke to the sound of deep rumbling voices. More than one. Her dreams had been filled with the large black-haired man who claimed she was his mate and his Little. Her pussy dampened as she remembered seeing the man naked on the road.
Opening her eyes, Lily looked around the room before rolling to climb out the other side of the bed in order to avoid the squeaky spring. Her bladder was urging her to get up and use the facilities before she went to investigate who was visiting Sailor.
If they didn’t know she was awake yet, maybe she could eavesdrop and hopefully learn something derogatory about the Institute to take back to the governor. She doubted it would be that easy, but the sooner she found out something, the faster she could return to the capital and get away from Sailor and the attraction that she felt growing between them.
She needed to get to the main grounds of Bratburg. Then she could observe and talk to both the residents and the women sent there for retraining and relocation. Maybe whoever was visiting Sailor would take her the rest of the way.
After using the bathroom and washing her hands, Lily stopped long enough to redress before she tiptoed across the bedroom. She stopped next to the half-open door. Withoutlooking into the main room of the cabin, she hoped to hear something before they realized she was standing there. But luck wasn’t with her. She stood there less than a minute when Sailor pushed open the door and stepped in front of her
“Eep!” she squeaked as she jumped in surprise. “You scared me.”
He looked at her for a few seconds, his expression unreadable. Then he held out his hand. “Come and join us.”
She slipped her hand in his and sucked in a breath as once again sparks shot between their palms. He gently closed his hand around hers and pulled her through the doorway and into the main room.
Lily scanned the room, her heartbeat picking up speed when she saw her backpack lying on the dining table with all of its contents in piles around it. Then she looked at the two large men leaning against the wall on either side of the fireplace.
Sailor led her across the room where he took a seat on the couch and, after hesitating for only a moment, pulled her down next to him. The other two men watched them closely but did not step in when Sailor wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer into his side.
“Lily Knight, this is Lonergan Mirales, the owner, CEO, and director of Bratburg Institute.” Sailor pointed to the man on the left then pointed to the other man as he said, “And that is Kodiak Furr, Bratburg’s chief of security.”
A chill went through Lily, causing her entire body to stiffen at the thought that they’d discovered her identity. Would they be escorting her back to the main road before she even had a chance to see Bratburg? Taking a deep breath, she forced back the growing fear and lifted her chin before looking from one man to the other.
“Hello,” she said, keeping her voice soft.
“Good afternoon,” Lonergan said while Kodiak responded with, “Hello.”
“We have some questions we need answers to before we decide whether to allow you to enter Bratburg Institute or not,” Lonergan said as he brought one of the wooden chairs from the dining table over to where he’d been standing.
Kodiak remained silent, standing with his arms crossed over his chest as he continued leaning against the wall.
“Okay,” Lily said, hoping she could answer their questions without the three shifters scenting any lies she might have to tell.
“Sailor tells us you were walking into Bratburg when he found you this morning. What business do you have at my Institute, Miss Knight?”
Taking a deep breath, Lily went with the closest version of the truth instead of making up a story. She told her lie as succinctly as possible, finishing up with, “I know Bratburg Institute relocates women after they graduate, and I was hoping to be relocated and disappear so he can’t find me and make good on his threats to kill me.”
She squeaked in surprise when Sailor roared in anger as he lifted her onto his lap and wrapped both arms around her. He hugged her so tight that she could not breathe.
She patted his arms then tried to pull at them to free herself as she wheezed. “Too tight. Can’t breathe.”
With that, Lonergan slowly stood up as Kodiak eased around the sofa. She wasn’t sure what they were planning, but she hoped they’d act fast.
“Sailor, loosen your hold. Lily is safe and here with us. But you have to ease up so she can breathe,” Lonergan said.
“Mine,” Sailor growled loudly before burying his face in her neck. “My mate.”
