Ice Moon Page 18

  He turned toward me, wincing a little. “I’ll get Charlie, you’re too hot.”

  I nodded, desperately trying to pull in air and cool the inferno.

  Jared offered Charlie his left hand, wiping his bloodied right on his leg. “Time to go.”

  My son looked shaky, but he still bent down to retrieve his pillowcase of candy before taking Jared’s hand. I walked behind them, hoping to block Charlie’s view of Damian’s battered and bloody face.

  I’d never seen anyone come unglued like Jared had just then. Maybe it was a combination of his claustrophobia and adrenaline, but for a couple of minutes, he seemed more animal than man. He’d been protecting us.

  But what if that rage ever turned in our direction?

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Jared

  By the time we got back to Taryn’s place, she had her gift under control. I couldn’t say the same for my rage. If she hadn’t stopped me, I would’ve kept attacking Damian until he was dead. If he planned to hurt them, he’d have to get through me first.

  Charlie gave Sherri a hug and started regaling her with stories of a scary guy grabbing him. “But I bet he was sorry after Jared got a hold of him.”

  While Charlie reenacted my battle with Damian, I wandered down the hallway to Taryn’s room to get the burned costume off before either of them saw it and asked questions.

  “Are you all right?”

  I glanced back at Taryn and nodded. “Yeah.”

  She came closer, her breath sucking in when she saw my burn. I couldn’t see it, but I didn’t need to. It was bad, and it hurt like a son of a bitch.

  “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have touched you, but I didn’t know what else to do.”

  “You did the right thing.” I shook my head tossing the costume aside. “When he grabbed Charlie I lost it.”

  “I did, too.” She stared at her hands, a tear sliding down her cheek. “I thought I had a handle on this, but I almost…”

  “But you didn’t.”

  “If you hadn’t hit him and got us back out in the cold air, that entire cardboard tunnel would’ve ignited. I could’ve killed us all.”

  “Again, you didn’t.” I pulled my hair back from my forehead. “Charlie is safe. That’s all that matters right now.”

  “We should get a doctor to look at that burn.”

  “I’ll have Jason check it out.” I met her eyes. “Damian didn’t rent that place from you, did he?”

  She shook her head. “No, but it was familiar. It was probably on the vacation rental market list.”

  “He didn’t pick that rental on accident.”

  “You think he knows where I live.”

  I nodded. “I’d bet money on it, and tonight’s show was a test to see if you could ignite a fire.”

  Guilt clung to me like a second skin. I never should have gone in that tunnel. I shouldn’t have let them go inside either. As soon as we approached the property I’d caught Damian’s scent. But how could I explain that I smelled him without telling her I’m a werewolf?

  We walked into a trap tonight because of me.

  She washed her hands. Her fingers trembled as she wiped her tears. Shit. All her confidence about controlling her power was gone. I’d had to walk Charlie home. The burn on my back was proof enough she would’ve hurt her son.

  I wanted to sit her down and tell her about Charlie and I being wolves right now, but while my conscience might feel better, Taryn would be far from it. Plus, if she didn’t believe me and sent me away like Charlie feared, they’d be easy pickings for Damian.

  I could bear the guilt a while longer.

  Leaning my shoulder on the bathroom door, I ran my hand up her back. “We can’t stay here, not with Damian so close.”

  She rested her hands on the edge of the sink, closing her eyes and taking in a shaky breath. When she opened them, her gaze met mine in the mirror. “We should call the police.”

  “Not a good idea.” I shook my head. “They’d have plenty of witnesses saying I attacked Damian.”

  “What if he already called them?”

  “He won’t. Nero prides itself on flying under the radar of the government. He’d never get the police involved.”

  She leaned back, settling against my chest. “Where would we go?”

  “My place. It’s small, but he doesn’t know where it is. I can drive Charlie to school and pick him up.” I braced myself. “And you need to take a vacation from work until we figure a way to get Damian to back off.”

  “You don’t think beating the crap out of him did it?”

  I chuckled. “Sadly, sick bastards like him take that as a challenge. There’s a good chance he’s going to get worse before we can get him out of town. We’re meeting with his brother tomorrow night, then we should know more.”

  “I forgot about that.” She tipped her head up, staring up at me. “You think he’ll help?”

  “Help? No. But he wants information from you about his mother, and we’ll get the same from him in trade. That’s probably the best we can hope for from Sebastian.”

  “Okay. I’ll email Ray and let him know I’ll be out for a week…”

  “At least two.”

  She sighed. “Two weeks? I’ve never been gone…”

  “We can’t risk him getting you alone.”

  “Okay.”

  She changed into sweats and a t-shirt while I turned a little toward the mirror, inspecting her handprint on my back. Werewolves healed a little faster than humans, but sleeping tonight was going to be tricky. Driving to my place wasn’t going to be a cakewalk either.

  I pulled on a loose shirt, covering the burn and went out to break up the Halloween stories. Sherri stood up. “Sounds like you had an exciting night.”

  “Yeah. Since the psycho lives on the next street over, Taryn and Charlie are going to come stay with me for a few days.”

  “Yay!” Charlie danced around the room. At least seeing me attack someone didn’t make him afraid of me.

  Sherri knelt down. “Give me a hug, and then you better get changed and pack.”

  He squeezed her and took off for his room. She straightened up and looked me right in the eyes. “You seem like a great guy and Charlie is crazy about you.” She lowered her voice. “Be good to them.”

  “I will.” I tipped my head toward the hallway. “They deserve nothing less.”

  “Exactly.” Sherri glanced at Taryn as she came out of her office. “I’m heading home Ms. Goldstone. I guess I’ll wait to hear from you?”

  Taryn nodded. “Yes. Maybe you can just check on the place for me? Get the mail?”

  Sherri smiled. “I’d be glad to.”

  She and Taryn stared at each other and finally Taryn moved in for a quick awkward hug. Sherri stepped back, confusion plain on her face.

  “Thanks. For everything, Sherri.”

  She nodded and closed the door behind her.

  “I’ve never touched her before.”

  I almost smiled. “I got that impression.”

  “I emailed Ray and told him he’s in charge for a few days. Family emergency.” She started down the hallway. “I guess I’d better pack.”

  When her bedroom door closed, I pulled out my cell phone and hit Jason’s number. “Can you meet us at my place?”

  “Us?”

  “Yeah.” I stared out the window. “We had a run in with Damian tonight, and I’ve got a burn that hurts like hell.”

  “He burned you?”

  “Not exactly.” Charlie could probably hear my side of the conversation so I kept it short. “I’ll explain when you get there. I’m bringing Taryn and Charlie to stay with me until we figure out how to handle Damian.”

  “Does she know?”

  I sighed. “No. Just meet me there, and come alone.”

  “Okay. See you soon, Bro.”

  Taryn and Charlie followed me and Tank down the Mt. Rose highway to my place. When I pulled in the driveway, Jason’s car was already there. There
was a chance he might be eager to meet my mate. I probably would’ve laughed if my back wasn’t in knots from leaning forward to keep the burn from pressing on the seat of my truck. I got out and went around to help Tank down. Jason came over, and we clasped forearms. Traditional Pack greeting. I’d show Charlie later.

  After I told his mom what we were.

  Taryn and Charlie got out of her SUV and came over. “Taryn, Charlie, this is my baby brother, Jason.”

  Charlie burst into giggles that instantly lifted my spirits.

  Jason rolled his eyes, punching my shoulder. “By less than an hour.”

  I raised a brow. “Still counts.”

  Taryn smiled, but didn’t offer her hand. “Nice to meet you. Jared told me you’re a doctor.”

  “Yeah, my practice is in Reno. Speaking of, I should grab my bag.” He walked over to his car. “My brother tells me you run Goldstone Properties in Tahoe.”

  “I do.” She came to my side, and I took her hand, lacing my fingers with hers.

  Charlie looked up at me as I squeezed his shoulder. I handed him the house key. “Can you unlock the door and take Tank inside?”

  He nodded and called the dog. Once the door closed behind them, I turned to Jason. “Thanks for coming over. I don’t want Charlie to see the burn.”

  “Okay.” Jason set his bag on the hood of my truck. “Let me take a look.”

  Taryn helped lift my shirt, and I did my best not to wince as the fabric brushed the giant blister.

  “Jesus.” His cool fingers explored the skin around the wound. “This doesn’t look good. I need better light. Maybe in your room?”

  Taryn and Jason got my t-shirt down without touching the burn.

  “I’ll keep Charlie busy.” Taryn walked ahead of us without looking back.

  I stopped Jason before we went in the house. “Charlie hears everything. He doesn’t know about his Mom’s…gift.”

  Jason waited for Taryn to go inside, then met my eyes. “That’s her handprint on your back.”

  I nodded.

  “Holy shit.” Jason blew out a pent up breath. “That’s definitely a second degree burn, maybe third degree in the middle. Did she set you on fire?”

  I shook my head. “Damian grabbed Charlie, and it got so hot, I was afraid the whole place was about to go up in flames. There wasn’t time to think. I hit him and broke open the cardboard tunnel we were in. Seeing Charlie in danger had my wolf clawing to the surface and once I started beating the living shit out of him, I couldn’t stop.”

  I stared at my house. “Taryn tried to break it up before the police got involved, but her hands hadn’t cooled off yet. It burned right through the costume.”

  Jason rubbed his forehead. “So when she’s upset…”

  “Heightened emotional states trigger it.”

  “That explains the smaller finger shaped burns on the back of your shoulders.”

  “Exactly.”

  Jason grabbed his bag. “You’ve got your hands full.”

  “Why do you think I haven’t told her what we are yet?”

  “Does her son know?”

  I nodded. “He’s doing all he can to keep me from telling her.”

  He frowned. “Why?”

  “He’s afraid she won’t believe me and then she won’t want me around.” I met my brother’s eyes. “New Moon is right around the corner. Damian is staying in Tahoe. We’re going to have a jaguar hunting on our territory.”

  “Yes there’s danger, but the longer you wait the worse it’s going to be.”

  “You think I don’t know that?” I shouted, before I could stop myself. I pulled my hair back from my forehead, wincing as the burned skin on my back pinched. I lowered my voice. “I love them, Jason.” I stared up at the stars like the answers might be written up there. “I’m scared shitless that they might get hurt. That if I tell her, she’ll run.”

  “She might believe you.”

  I raised a brow. “You don’t know her like I do. That night she burned my shirt, she cut me out of her life. She wasn’t planning on ever seeing me again.”

  “Yet here you are with little finger-sized burns on your shoulders.”

  I couldn’t help but smile just a little. “The difference is that Damian didn’t know who she was then. Now he wants her. If she shuts me out, she and Charlie will be in even more danger than they are now.”

  He started for the house. “It’s your life. They’re not going to hear anything from me. Let’s see if I can clean up your back.”

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Taryn

  I jotted down numbers as Jared called them out. It kept me from obsessing over the bandage on his back. After we dropped Charlie off at school this morning, Jared needed to make a stop to give someone an estimate on a custom gate and trellis.

  Even though the cold was seeping through my gloves, it was fun to see Jared in his element. He’d stretch out his tape measure, call out the number, and then reel it in slowly, tapping the hooked end on the ground, while he envisioned his finished product.

  “Wait a sec, cancel that last measurement.” He yanked the tape back out, measuring past the existing post this time. “I’ll get rid of this one, and move it over another two feet. That’ll give me the room for more ornamentations on the gate.”

  I waited, pen at the ready. He was talking more to himself than me anyway. Until I met Jared, it never occurred to me custom carpentry and woodworking were so artistic. He had a knack for visualizing the area already completed, and then making that vision a reality. My deck was a prime example of his gift. The way it angled toward the sun and the moon was inspired.

  After he finished measuring, he came over to collect the clipboard and pen. He kissed my temple and whispered, “Thanks, beautiful.”

  Suddenly I no longer noticed the cold, and my knees were rubbery. Being in love didn’t suck. He turned to rest the clipboard on the old fence, and started his calculations.

  My phone rang. I pulled it out of my jacket pocket. Jared peered over his shoulder as I checked the screen.

  “It’s Ray.”

  He nodded and went back to work, while I walked toward his truck.

  “Hey, Ray, what’s up?”

  “Just got off the phone with a very unhappy Mr. Severino.”

  I gripped my cell a little tighter. “What happened?”

  “I called to schedule the appointment to close the escrow and deliver his keys.”

  “And that upset him?” I stared at the snow, wishing Damian Severino would crawl back under the rock he came from.

  “Yeah, he said he only works with you and insisted you call him.”

  “You told him I had a family emergency?”

  “Yes, but it didn’t faze him. He wants you to contact him right away.”

  I sighed. “I have his number.”

  “Sorry.”

  “It’s not your fault, thanks for trying.”

  I tucked the phone away and turned to find Jared leaning on the truck behind me. “Don’t call him.”

  I flinched. “You heard all that?”

  He nodded. “Let him stew. We need to talk to Sebastian first.”

  “Okay.” I’d almost forgotten our dinner meeting with Damian’s older brother. “Is Charlie coming along?”

  “Actually, I arranged for an amazing babysitter. Her name is Nadya. She’s finishing up her degree to be a teacher and she’s great with kids.”

  I’d never left Charlie with anyone but Sherri, and recently with Jared. I worried my lower lip. “What about Damian?”

  “He’d have no way of finding Charlie. And even if he did show up, Nadya’s boyfriend, Gareth, would eat him for breakfast.” His eyes searched mine as he took my gloved hand. “Trust me. I love Charlie. I wouldn’t suggest it if I didn’t know he’d be safe.”

  My heart thrummed. I swallowed my fear and nodded. “As long as I can meet her first.”

  “Of course. And if you don’t feel good about it, we’ll bring Charlie
with us.”

  I chuckled. “From all you’ve told me about Sebastian, he’d probably love that.”

  He grinned. “He’d hate it which makes it tempting to skip the babysitter and bring the little guy.”

  Jared parked outside a garage. I turned toward him. “Takoda Harley Restoration?”

  He nodded. “Yeah, this is Gareth’s motorcycle shop. He and Nadya live in an apartment in the back.”

  I was having serious second thoughts about this, but my son on the other hand…

  “Motorcycles?” Charlie’s eyes widened. “This is gonna be so cool!”

  I sighed. “You’re not going to ride on any, got it?”

  The door opened and a tall willowy woman with long dark hair and a warm smile walked toward us. Behind her, a man with black hair tied back in a ponytail closed the door. He had a tattoo on his sizable bicep, and a no-nonsense expression.

  Now I understood Jared’s comment about eating Damian for breakfast.

  “Hi, I’m Nadya. You’re Taryn?” She didn’t offer her hand.

  I glanced at Jared and back to her again. “Yes.” I gripped my son’s shoulders. “And this is Charlie.”

  Nadya’s face lit up, and something familiar struck me. But I’d never met her before. Had I?

  “Hi, Charlie. Great to meet you.” She knelt to his level. “That’s Gareth, and you don’t have to worry, he’s really a softie.”

  He crossed his arms, but a smile pulled at the corners of his mouth. “You’re ruining my reputation, Sweetheart.”

  She looked up at him, beaming. “It’s not my fault your reputation is wrong.” Meeting Charlie’s eyes again, she lowered her voice. “Want to see the motorcycles?”

  He nodded and craned his neck back to see me. “Can I, Mom? Please?”

  “Sure.”

  Charlie followed Nadya inside.

  Gareth let his hands drop to his sides. “You guys want to come in?”

  I answered before Jared could. “That’d be nice.”

  In the garage, Charlie was already perched on a parked motorcycle, beaming. “Look at me, Mom!”

  “I see you.” My gaze shifted to Nadya. “You look really familiar, but I can’t place where we might’ve met.”