I wait for them to give me even a modicum of privacy but realize they’re not budging from their chairs. Huffing a sigh, I take the phone and turn my chair so I face away from them. I dial Sophie’s number, which I’d memorized weeks ago, when I first learned about the bakery and that she’d be my new boss. It rings six times but she doesn’t answer. Grimacing, I swivel back around. “The call went to voicemail.”
“Try again, and this time leave a message.” Sam nods at the phone in my hand. “And then we have some more questions for you.”
Swallowing hard, I turn away for the second time and leave Sophie a voicemail that I can only pray she picks up. When I’m finished, I lay the phone on the table. “Okay, I left her a message.”
“Her?” Marv quirks his brow. “Who’d you call?”
“Sophie Spellman Brownlee.”
The door to the room opens, revealing a big, burly man with thick brown hair and beard, and a curious expression in his amber-gold eyes; it’s the werewolf who ordered my arrest. He walks into the room, nods at thetwo cops, and says, “I’d like to ask the suspect a few questions, if you don’t mind.”
They leave, although a look passes between the three of them, and I’m certain they’re scurrying around to the other side of the mirror so they can observe me sweating in my hard plastic chair. And that’s exactly what I’m doing… perspiring profusely… because this man is giving off undeniable alpha wolf vibes.
When he drops into the seat opposite me, the plastic chair is swallowed up by his bulk. This werewolf is a solid wall of muscle; he’s someone I’d like fightingforme, not against. He introduces himself, confirming my suspicions. “My name’s Jake Grayclaw Spellman, and Sophie is my cousin. So you could say I have a personal interest in the shifter who was discovered dancing around in his underwear inside my cousin’s home.”
Jake squints at me, but I remain silent until he’s finished speaking; there’s no point in provoking him further. “I’m also alpha of the Bay Howlers pack, and I don’t take kindly to werewolves who get arrested in my territory, particularly ones who’ve not properly introduced themselves.”
Mongrels and moonbeams!
I’m in Riddle Hill for less than a day, and I’ve already managed to antagonize my new boss, get arrested, and tick off the local alpha. Despite Miss Dragonfly’s best intentions, I don’t think I’ll be getting my fresh start in Riddle Hill after all. Maybe I could move farther north; Toronto perhaps?
I decide to address his second objection right away, since that’s the one that can bury me for good, if andwhen I get out of here. “I made inquiries at the local pub and spoke with Wes, your packmate. He invited me to the pack meeting on Sunday so I could present myself properly.”
Jake narrows his amber eyes at me. “That so?”
“Yes sir.” I nod.
“It’s late,” he grunts. “And I’m in no mood to entertain explanations from unfamiliar wolves arrested for breaking and entering. So let’s cut to the chase: why are you in Riddle Hill, and how do you know Sophie?”
I fold my hands on the table in front of me and peer directly into his eyes; I want this alpha to know I’m sincere. “I worked for Miss Dragonfly Spellman, of Grand Shores, Michigan, for the past three years; I was her live-in companion, chauffeur, and personal secretary. When Miss Dragonfly passed, she apportioned a part of her estate to me.”
I pause when I notice Jake’s scowl deepening, but he waves a hand for me to continue. Taking a deep breath, I hurriedly explain, “Miss Dragonfly’s will contained quite a few stipulations in order for me to inherit my portion, including moving to Riddle Hill and working for your cousin—in exchange for room, board, and the opportunity to own ten percent in one year’s time.”
“Ten percent of what?” replies Jake.
“The Rhyme ’N Riddle Bakeshop.”
“Wait a minute.” Jake runs a hand through his hair. “You’rethat Leslie?We all assumed Leslie was a girl.”
I roll my eyes. “You’ll have to take that up with my mother.”
“You didn’t actually break in, did you?” When I shakemy head, Jake asks, “But why were you dancing in your boxers? It may not be illegal, but frankly it’s worrisome. In case you haven’t noticed, I’m very protective of Sophie and the rest of my family.”
“I wasn’t dancing; I was cleaning. I work much faster in my werewolf form.”
“And you clean in your undershorts?”
I huff out a sigh. “Normally I wear sweats, but all my stuff’s still in the trunk of my car. I didn’t want to unpack until I’d… er… organized and disinfected my room. Your cousin is...”
“A brilliant baker,” says Jake, “and a tad messy.”
“Y-yes.”
Jake leans forward, the chair creaking beneath him. “I’m going to confirm your story, Mr. Barker. And if it checks out, we’ll see about dropping the charges. But let me make one thing perfectly clear: if you so much as look the wrong way at Sophie, you’ll have to answer to me. Understand?”
“Yes sir.”
“And the next time we meet—assuming you really arethat Leslie—I’ll want to hear about your last pack and all the pertinent details.”
