Sedona Sacrifice Read online

  Yes, I’d be settling, but at least my boys would have a real family.

  Becca released him and looked him in the eye. “I’m pretty sure it’s past your bedtime, right?”

  He nodded and stifled a yawn. “But I’m not tired.” He looked over at me and back to Becca. “I could stay up with you guys.”

  I shook my head, crossing to my son. “Sorry, buddy.” I mussed his hair. “You need to sleep.”

  He turned around and lumbered back to his room. Becca straightened, and when she smiled, there was a sparkle in her eyes that had my full attention.

  Affection.

  Not for me, but for Hawk, and I caught myself wishing Becca could be my mate. My boys loved her, and Asher trusted her to run his business. I pushed the useless thoughts aside and reminded myself of my Alpha’s hard line in the sand to keep Becca out of our shifter world. The less she knew, the safer she would be.

  “Can I get you a drink?” I asked. “I have beer and bottled water. I might have a Dr. Pepper left, too. I could check.”

  “I’ll take a bottled water. Thanks.”

  I went into my small kitchen and opened the fridge. She followed me. I didn’t have to look over my shoulder. Her unique scent that made me think of the Red Rocks after a dusting of snow. It was fresh and clean. I handed her the water, then picked up my beer.

  Taking a sip, I glanced down the hall to check for any other little wolves. All clear. I focused on her again and quickly pulled out one of my general first-date questions. This wasn’t a date, I knew that, but I’d been on so many recently that the job-interview-like conversation no longer seemed stilted. Maybe she’d tell me what her uncle had to say about Asher if I could get her to stay here long enough.

  “Did you grow up in Sedona or are you a transplant like me?”

  She swallowed, and my gaze trailed down her neck before I caught myself. I’d never really paid attention before, but Becca had an aura around her that felt…natural. Peaceful.

  Her dark eyes met mine. “I’m a transplant, too. I grew up in San Diego.”

  She took another sip of the water, and the light reflected on her wet lips, drawing my attention to them as she pressed them together. I had no business thinking they looked delicious.

  “What brought you to Sedona?” I asked.

  “I came here for a spiritual retreat and something about this place felt like home.” She shrugged. “So I never left.”

  I swallowed a swig of my beer and raised a brow. “That’s pretty bold. Did you know anyone here?”

  “Nope.” She chuckled and shook her head. “Hence the no friends I mentioned before.”

  I’d known Asher for three years now, and Becca had worked with him even longer—plenty of time for her to have found a group of friends. “I’ve known you for years.”

  “Yep.” She nodded and shot me a look. “And this is my first time at your place.”

  True. I couldn’t tell her Asher was the Alpha of a werewolf pack and there was a reason we didn’t invite her over for barbecues or happy hours. We had to keep our existence secret from the human world if we wanted to avoid becoming lab rats—or worse, be exterminated.

  “Sorry about that. I’m always so busy with work and the boys.” I shrugged. “You must have some friends in town, though.”

  She finished off her water and put the lid back on. “Okay, now I sound pathetic.” She looked up at me with a gentle curve to her full lips. Not quite a smile, more of an expression of acceptance, of peace. “I do have family in Arizona. That was what had me texting you tonight.” She held up her bottle. “Do you have a recycling bin?”

  I pointed to a little blue bucket in the corner. She tossed the bottle, and it landed inside with a hollow thunk. “Two points.” She grinned.

  Wow. I’d never seen her smile at me like that before. Her brown eyes sparkled, and a small dimple pierced her cheek.

  I chuckled. “Didn’t know I was in the presence of basketball greatness.”

  Her laughter made my little kitchen seem brighter. “Oh, I can’t do that with a ball. I’m more of a wastebasket shooter. I can sink anything into a garbage can.”

  Now I was laughing. I hadn’t known she was funny. Was I a total asshole for never noticing these things about her before?

  I picked up the bottle cap from my beer off the counter and offered it to her. “Double or nothing?”

  CHAPTER 2

  Becca

  I put my hand out, grateful to see that the tremors were gone. Gage dropped the bottle cap into my palm, and I closed my fingers around it. All the anxiety that had been coiled inside my belly since my uncle’s call had evaporated. Until tonight, I’d never been alone with Gage. The tall, built, single dad was nothing like I’d expected him to be.

  Adjusting my grip on the small cap and gauging its weight, I eyed the recycling bin. I tossed it underhand, and the metal disk floated end over end and then dropped like a stone into the center of the container.

  I grinned as he lifted his beer in tribute. “I’m impressed.”

  “Thanks.” I shrugged, rolling my eyes. “If only it was a marketable skill.”

  He took a sip of his beer, the fabric of his T-shirt straining against his chiseled bicep as he lifted it to his lips. “I feel sort of like an ass for knowing you this long and not really…knowing anything about you.”

  I didn’t allow my gaze to wander any farther because his forearms should’ve been illegal. I cleared my throat, trying to confirm that my voice was still operating. “To be fair, I don’t know anything about you, either.” I stopped myself and course corrected. “Actually, that’s not true. I know all kinds of things from Hawk and Henry.”

  He set his bottle on the counter and raised his eyebrows with a crooked grin. “Uh-oh. What have they been saying?”

  I chuckled. His boys were adorable and so bright for their age. They were always the highlight of my day when they came into the office. It was never an imposition; they were pure sunshine. It didn’t hurt that they loved seeing me, and lately, I didn’t have anyone else in my life who greeted me with so much enthusiasm.

  Those boys also idolized their dad.

  “Well…” I glanced down the hall and back to his face as I lowered my voice. “They told me their dad was a soldier and a hero—and also a wolf.”

  He looked stunned for a second, then shook his head with a playful snarl. “That’s me. Wolfish.”

  I couldn’t remember the last time I’d laughed like that. His boys actually liked to pretend they were wolves. They called Asher one, too. I hoped it wouldn’t fade away anytime soon. It was pretty cute, like when kids fell in love with dinosaurs or tractors. It would be sad when they lost that wonder.

  Being in such a small space with Gage made me realize how big he was. It wasn’t just his height. I was five foot nine, so when I’d lived in in San Diego, I was the tallest of my friends, but Gage was at least six inches taller than me. And it went beyond that. He was also super fit. I’d known that about him before, but being this close, it was hard not to imagine the ripped torso that must be hiding under that T-shirt.

  I cleared my throat again, trying to rein in this flood of hormones he seemed to be inspiring. “Well, I should probably leave you and your wolves to the rest of your night. I’m sorry I interrupted.”

  “You didn’t interrupt anything.” He shrugged. “You seemed upset when you came over. Maybe I can help.”

  My uncle’s call flashed through my head—the reason I’d come over in the first place. He’d told me Asher was in trouble with the law and I should join him in Phoenix. Pressuring me to leave Sedona and move to Phoenix wasn’t new, it was the warning about Asher that was new. My uncle was worried I could be physically caught in some kind of crossfire, and because he was a justice on the Arizona Supreme Court, he would probably know if someone was in legal jeopardy.

  It had seemed surreal and urgent at the time, but now the thought of asking Gage if I might be in danger if I kept working with Asher se
emed ridiculous now. I was almost embarrassed that I’d been so shaken.

  “I guess I could stay a little longer.” I followed him out to the couch and sat back down. “So where are you from originally?”

  “Portland.” He took a spot on the other side of the sofa, and I caught myself wishing he were closer.

  Silly, really. If I were looking for a boyfriend, which I wasn’t, Gage wouldn’t even be on my list of prospects. He didn’t have a girlfriend, but he was a serial dater. Plus, I’d seen a couple of the women who had met him at the restaurant across the street from Wild Sedona Tours. They’d been tiny, well put together, and fashion conscious. I had nothing against any of that, but for me, clothes were functional, nothing more, and the extent of my makeup collection was black mascara and a tube of lip gloss, and those were only for “fancy” occasions.

  All in all, I wasn’t his type. And if I ever decided I wanted a guy, I’d want someone to be my partner and best friend. Someone to go hiking with and laugh with, not someone I’d have to worry about needing to impress all the time.

  I forced a little smile. “I’ve heard it’s beautiful—and green—up there. How did you end up in the desert?”

  He shifted in his seat, breaking eye contact for a second. “I got out of the military and came to see the Grand Canyon. Everyone said I needed to drive down to Sedona for the Red Rocks.” He shrugged. “And here I am.”

  I wanted to ask so many more question. Was he divorced or widowed or…? But I also didn’t want to pry. This was the most we’d ever spoken. “Were the boys born here?” I decided to ask.

  He nodded. “Yeah. Their mom, Samantha, passed away when they were six months old.”

  “I’m so sorry.” I shook my head, staring at a photo of the boys up on the wall, avoiding any chance of witnessing the pain in his eyes.

  “Thanks. They have their mother’s eyes.”

  I glanced his way, but he was looking down at his hands clasped in front of him. Eager to fill the silence that settled over us, I blurted out, “I had a cousin named Samantha.” When I realized I’d said it out loud, I winced. “Sorry, that really doesn’t have anything to do with anything.”

  “No, it’s okay.” He looked uncomfortable now, and I ached to go hide in my car. He lifted his gaze to my face. “I hate that the boys never got to know their mom, but we weren’t ever married or a couple or anything.” He hesitated and shook his head. “Now I sound like an asshole. Truth is, we didn’t know each other very well. It was…not a good situation.”

  It sounded like a one-night stand that ended in an accidental pregnancy, but I didn’t prod him with anymore questions. It was none of my business.

  He glanced down the hallway, lowering his voice. “My boys are all that matter now. I love them more than I ever realized I could love anyone.” He faced me again as he went on. “I’d die for them.”

  Hearing him declare his devotion for his kids so openly did something to my heart, and when his eyes met mine again, my pulse thrummed in answer. If you could get pregnant with a look, I was done for.

  Heat crept up my neck to my cheeks, and I popped up to my feet before I could embarrass myself any further. “I’m sorry I bothered you tonight. I should probably go.”

  Confusion lined his forehead. “Did I say something wrong?”

  “Oh no.” I shook my head. “Not at all. I didn’t mean to bring up painful memories.”

  “You didn’t.” He raised a brow. “You still haven’t told me what spooked you earlier. What was so urgent?”

  No, I hadn’t. I sighed and slowly sat back down. Dammit. I didn’t usually have trouble talking to people. But to be fair, very few people looked like Gage. “My uncle called me tonight with a couple veiled warnings about Asher being involved with some dangerous people.”

  “Asher?” Gage shook his head. “I don’t get it.”

  “I didn’t, either, but my uncle is a judge on the Arizona Supreme Court, so if anyone is aware of crime in the state, it’s him.” I ventured a peek at Gage. “He’s never been excited about me staying in Sedona, though, so maybe he was just trying to scare me.”

  That didn’t feel right, but it was a million times better than second-guessing Asher.

  “You’ve been in Sedona for years. Why would your uncle want to scare you out of town now after all this time?”

  Gage was asking the same questions I had when I’d gotten off the call. I shrugged. “I don’t know.” I met his eyes. “I don’t mean to get you involved. I just don’t have many friends in town, and I needed to talk it out with someone who wasn’t Asher.”

  He chuckled, shaking his head. “I know Asher pretty well, and I can’t think of anyone less likely to spend time with shady characters.” He paused, sobering. “Wait. How is your uncle related to your cousin Samantha?”

  I’d forgotten I mentioned her. “Uncle Mitch is her dad. Or was…” My voice trailed off.

  He tensed, moving forward to the edge of the couch. “Was?”

  My gaze locked on his. “She disappeared a few years ago. We filed a missing person’s report, but they’ve never found her.”

  Gage frowned. “I’m sorry.”

  My vision blurred a little with unexpected tears. I thought I’d cried them all out over the years, but apparently not. I blinked, struggling to find my voice. “She was the reason I came to Sedona in the first place. We were going to attend a meditation retreat here. I showed up, but she never made it.”

  He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “Could that be why your uncle might want you to be so careful?”

  “Maybe?” I shrugged. “But why now?”

  “Did he tell you anything else?”

  Now came the creepy part. I nodded and kept my voice low. “He said that when the authorities came for Asher, he didn’t want me to get caught in the crossfire. He offered to send a car to bring me back to Phoenix where he lives.”

  A muscle in Gage’s cheek clenched. “How would he know if anyone was coming for Asher?”

  “I’m guessing there’s a court case he has access to but can’t tell me about?” I wrung my hands. “Could Asher be in some kind of legal trouble?”

  “No way.” His gaze locked on mine. “What’s your uncle’s last name?”

  “Jones. Mitch Jones.”

  “Shit.” Gage stood up, raking his hand through his short hair. “It’s a common name,” he mumbled. “Probably nothing.”

  I raised a brow. “What’s wrong?”

  He turned my way rubbing his forehead as concern lined his eyes. “Samantha’s last name was Jones.”

  Shit was right. I looked toward the boys’ bedroom. If Gage’s Samantha was my cousin Samantha, then those boys were…related to me. I got to my feet and pointed down the hallway. “Henry and Hawk could be my uncle’s grandchildren.” A sad smile curved my lips. “At least I can tell him what happened.”

  Gage shook his head, his intense stare pinning me to the ground where I stood. “No. Not yet.” He paused, searching my eyes. “Please.”

  I started to ask why when he tackled me. Glass shattered somewhere in the room as we hit the carpet. I couldn’t see anything from underneath him, and I shouldn’t have been enjoying how he smelled. Pushing up, I tried to free myself, but he gripped my arm.

  His breath hitched as he jerked his hand back as if touching me had burned him. He scooted to my side, his suddenly awestruck gaze wandering over my face as if I were some kind of goddess. “Don’t move,” he whispered.

  “I won’t.”

  My heart hammered against my ribcage as he army crawled to the wall and slid his hand up it until he reached the light switch. There was glass all over the carpet. Had someone thrown a rock or? No, it had been silent. Maybe a gun with a silencer on the barrel.

  Gage flipped the switch, and the room went dark. I blinked, struggling to get my eyes to adjust. This had to be a dream.

  He rushed back to my side, staying low to the ground. “Are you okay?”

 
I stared into his eyes as I whispered, “Did someone just shoot at us?”

  “I think so.” Then he put a finger to his lips, signaling for silence. I complied, my mind racing. I could’ve been shot, caught in the crossfire. Adrenaline coursed through my veins, and I ached to run, but where would I go?

  Gage made his way over to the broken window. He rose to his full height with his back pressed against the wall. He quickly peered through the darkened window.

  He ducked back as another bullet flew through the glass. I covered my face, trying not to scream. The last thing we needed was to wake the kids and have them come running out here while bullets were flying.

  I took my phone out of my pocket to call 911, and Gage was beside me on the floor so fast that I gasped. He took my phone, shaking his head. “We can’t bring the police into this.”

  “Why not?” I asked. “Someone is shooting at us.”

  “I know.” He nodded. “And I promise I’ll explain everything.” He searched my eyes. “Please, Becca. I can’t let anything happen to you.”

  My name had never sounded more beautiful than in this moment, even though we were pressed flat against his living room floor in the dark. I shook it off. “We can’t just lie here and wait for them to come in and grab us.”

  He took out his cell and sent a text, then met my eyes. “I just told Asher. Help is on the way.”

  CHAPTER 3

  Gage

  Life was suddenly coming at me too fast. My cell phone flashed with two answers to my group text. Asher’s came through first.

  On my way.

  Then Vance, our retired Nero assassin packmate, chimed in.

  ETA five minutes. Stay down.