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  “Okay.” I went to the door, pulling out my keys. Tank sniffed around for a good place to piss.

  “How’d it go with Adam?”

  I smirked, turning the knob. “He wants me to be an undercover wolf.”

  “Shit. That sucks.” Jason shook his head. “But this is a big deal. We need to keep him informed.”

  “I know.” I called Tank and waited for him to trot inside before closing the door. “But if, and it’s a huge if, I ever got Taryn to open up to me, the second I spill her secrets to Adam, I become just like the assholes in her life who made her into the cold shell she is now.”

  “You’re protecting her son.”

  “By betraying his mother?” I shook my head. “This is fucked up.”

  “It’s about to get even better.” He handed me the flash drive.

  “Great.” I booted up my desktop computer and slid the USB drive in. “What am I looking for?”

  “Scroll down to the hypothesis at the bottom.”

  I read out loud. “‘It’s our theory that depending on the strength of a female’s psychic abilities, she may have the ability to pass on the male’s gene for shape-shifting without ever being converted herself.’”

  Jason nudged me. “Know what that means?”

  It had been a few years since I dropped out of med school, but I knew exactly what this meant. “Lana’s mother hadn’t been bitten.”

  “And she gave birth to twin jaguar shifters, one of which was Lana.”

  “So you’re thinking Taryn is psychic.” My mind whirled, sliding pieces into place. “And if her boyfriend was a werewolf, she ended up pregnant before he ever bit her…” I shook my head. “He thought the baby was someone else’s.”

  “Yeah.” Jason straightened up. “He’d know he couldn’t get her pregnant without making her a werewolf first. He might not have realized she was psychic, but even if he did, he wouldn’t have known that would make it possible for her to carry his children.”

  “He’d think she slept around on him.” I rubbed my chin and headed for the kitchen. “I have no clue if she’s psychic. I haven’t witnessed anything.”

  “She has to be. There’s no other explanation.” He pulled the flash drive out and slid it into his pocket. “And the big question is, where is the boy’s twin brother?”

  I took out a glass and set it on the counter. “How in the hell am I supposed to tell this business woman she gave birth to a werewolf and by the way, he should have a twin brother someplace? If I start asking weird questions, she’s going to shut down and I’ll never see her again.”

  Jason leaned against the kitchen counter. “Just talk to her son first. You don’t need to ask a bunch of questions. Be his friend. You’ve got a few weeks. No rush.”

  That took a little pressure off, but it didn’t lift my conscience. Whatever happened to Taryn in the past was none of my Pack’s business. But her son would need us. We couldn’t help him without her consent.

  I’d told one huge lie in my life and it changed everything.

  The last thing I needed was another one.

  I barely survived last time.

  “You okay?”

  Jason’s voice broke me out of my thoughts. My hands were trembling. I pressed them on the counter. “Yeah, I’m good. Just not looking forward to any of this.”

  He didn’t seem convinced. “Do your hands shake like that often? I should probably run some tests.”

  “Don’t. I don’t need a doctor. I was in med school with you, remember? I’d call you if it was something serious.”

  He frowned, but wisely dropped his inquisition. “Sorry this is falling in your lap, but you’re the only one who can get close to the boy.”

  “His name is Charlie.”

  “Okay.” He stared at the ceiling for a second before meeting my eyes again. “Look at it this way, you’re Charlie’s only hope to get through his teen years without hurting anyone. He needs you.”

  “I’ll figure something out.”

  Jason embraced me and headed for the door. “If I can help, just let me know.” He stopped. “And call Mom. She said she got used to having us around when Dad was laid up and she misses us now that Dad’s feeling better.”

  I almost smiled. “I’ll call her in the morning.”

  “Good. See you soon.”

  He closed the door behind him and I dragged a chair over to sit beside Tank. “I am in deep shit.” Tank licked his chops. “But you still want some dinner.” His stub of a tail wagged. I chuckled, shaking my head, grateful to my furry friend for lifting some of the anxiety crashing through my head. “Eat up, boy. Tomorrow, we’re men on a mission.”

  Tank kept his head in the bowl and I stared out into the darkness. If we were right, Taryn probably didn’t know why her boyfriend left her, and there was a better than average chance she thought Charlie had been born premature since the gestation for a female carrying shifter twins was only four months instead of nine.

  And what about his brother?

  I got up and poured a beer into my glass. I took a swig and shook my head. “I’ve got a bad feeling about this, Tank.”

  He lifted his head, pretending to empathize before diving back into his dinner.

  Bad feeling or not, if Charlie had a twin out there someplace, he would become a risk to himself, and more importantly to our Pack. We lived among humans who had no idea we existed, and it needed to stay that way.

  Chapter Five

  Taryn

  I’d managed to dodge Madison for most of the week. But sadly, I couldn’t avoid her forever. She sat, perched in the chair across from my desk, with her iPad and that damned hopeful smile. She couldn’t be much younger than me, but somehow I had lifetimes more experience than she did. She probably still believed in happily-ever-afters, with a husband, a picket fence, and a family.

  Life hadn’t smacked her around much yet.

  “Have you found your date for the Masquerade?”

  I rolled my eyes. “I thought you wanted to discuss the budget.”

  “I do.” She leaned forward like we might be friends sharing a secret. “But first I want to hear about who you’re bringing.”

  “I don’t know.” I sat all the way back in my leather executive chair. “Happy?”

  The way her face fell answered my question. “Please don’t cancel at the last minute, Ms. Goldstone. This is a huge opportunity and…”

  I raised a brow. “And?”

  Her full attention stayed focused on the iPad. “And it’s my first public event for the company. I want to show everyone I can do this. That I’m not just a naïve girl fresh out of college.”

  Oh, shit. This resonated with me. I could relate to that feeling. I’d experienced the same kind of scrutiny when I moved to town with a brand new broker’s license and a little boy in tow.

  I sighed, hating myself for allowing her to get to me. “I’ll be there, and I’ll bring someone even if I have to bribe my garbage man.”

  She lifted her head, beaming. “Oh, please! You won’t need to bribe anyone. You’re gorgeous. You could get any man you set your eye on.”

  Her declaration stunned me. Dating hadn’t been on my radar since Charlie’s father walked out of my life. It never occurred to me men might want my attention. Usually, my reputation preceded me and hackles were up before I even entered the room.

  “We’ll see about that…” I rested my elbow on the desk. “Budget?”

  She scooted closer, showing me her iPad so we could look over her figures, but my mind was far from her spreadsheet. I had no clue how I’d make it through an evening with a man in tow. This was a horrible idea.

  By the time I pulled into my driveway it was getting dark. Jared’s truck was an unexpected surprise. As the days got colder, he seemed to work even later. I appreciated his commitment to finishing the deck before winter took over the mountaintop. I got out and grabbed my leather bag. When I straightened, Tank came around the corner of the house. I actually heard him b
efore I saw him, his breathing like a freight train.

  His hind quarters waggled as if I were his long lost friend. Even I couldn’t resist that warm welcome. I knelt down, my pencil skirt sliding up my thighs as I grasped his wide head in both hands. With animals, I didn’t have to worry so much about touching. Strong emotions unleashed my inner fire. Happy dogs made it easy for me to maintain my calm, my control.

  “How’re you doing, Tank?” His lips curled into a smile, his tongue curling at the end as he panted. I chuckled and scratched behind his ears. “I don’t have anything for dogs. Sorry about that.”

  He sniffed my hands and knees, clearly not believing my lack of treats.

  “Tank always was a ladies’ man.”

  I shot up straight, sobering instantly at the sound of Jared’s voice, but nothing could have prepared me for finding my son standing beside him. Charlie wore a small tool belt of his own, wood chips and shavings decorated in his hair, and his smile stretched from ear to ear.

  “Mom, come see what I did!” He took off around the back of the house.

  With my heart in my throat, I lifted my chin, struggling to bottle up my emotions. I’d never seen that look of joy and pride on Charlie’s face before. I was equally grateful and jealous all at once.

  “I don’t recall being asked if you could use my son as free labor.”

  Jared groaned. “Really? That’s where you’re going to go with this?” He pointed in the direction Charlie ran. “That little guy is hardly free labor. He wanted to learn how to hammer a nail. It took a few days, but when he mastered it, I got him a tool belt.” He sighed and focused on me again. Strangely the weight of his stare soothed my bitterness instead of stoking it. “I’m sorry, Taryn. I probably should have asked, but you’re never around and I was keeping a close eye on him. I didn’t think you’d mind.” He held out his gloved hand. “Come on back. He’s dying to show you his contribution to the new deck.”

  I walked right past his worn leather work glove, trying not to notice the chiseled muscles in his tanned arm as I passed by. Keeping my footing in heels on the uneven ground was a welcome challenge. Anything to remain focused and maintain my composure. His apology seemed sincere, but right now I couldn’t trust my voice not to wobble. A break in a woman’s voice was weakness, and since I’d been in Tahoe, no one had ever witnessed it from me.

  I intended to keep it that way.

  Charlie stood beside an anchor post, beaming with pride. Upon closer inspection, there was a carved wooden sign nailed into the beam.

  Charlie’s Clubhouse

  “Jared said this part’s going to stay open, so when the snow melts, this can be like my fort!”

  I glanced at Jared, raising a brow. “This was your idea?”

  He shrugged one shoulder. “Every boy needs a clubhouse, right?”

  How the hell did I know? I’d been an only child. No brothers. And my parents shipped me off to boarding school in New York to Brightwood Academy for Girls. I celebrated my sixth birthday with strangers.

  Charlie was my first experience with little boys.

  And seeing how quickly he bonded with Jared hurt.

  “Maybe so.” I shifted my attention to Charlie. “Did you make the sign?”

  He nodded, babbling so fast I could barely keep up. “Yep, well sort of, Jared wouldn’t let me work the saw, so I drew the shape and he cut it out, but he had a cool wood burner and he helped me use it to write the words, then Sherri went and got paint and I painted it.” He finally took a breath and pointed to the two nails holding the sign in place. “And I hammered these myself, Mom!”

  I glanced at Jared, but he answered before I could ask.

  “He was supervised the entire time.”

  “So is it okay if I keep helping? Please, can I?” His big green eyes, so much like his father’s, bore into me.

  I stared at the placid lake, drinking in the calm of the water. Composure meant control, and control kept everyone safe. Wishing I could make my son as happy as Jared just did wouldn’t change the reality, I couldn’t. The scar on his arm was constant proof of that. But I couldn’t deny him happiness. I wanted that for him.

  Even if it couldn’t come from me.

  “Yes.” I crossed my arms over my chest. “But be careful. No using tools unless Jared is watching you.”

  “Yes!” He danced around, making me chuckle in spite of my dark mood.

  I turned to go back up, but my heel snagged a loose rock. I teetered, and Jared caught my elbow. The cool, smooth leather of his glove sent a wave of goosebumps up my arm, but his hold on me was solid and secure.

  “You okay?”

  I nodded, gently freeing myself. “Yes. Thank you.”

  Without looking back, I made my way up the incline toward the house. Tank met me at the driveway, but I didn’t slow my pace to visit. My grip on my emotions was faltering. I needed to be alone. Now.

  “Taryn. Wait.”

  I stopped just shy of my door, but I didn’t turn around.

  Jared moved in front of me. “I’m really sorry. I should’ve thought… He was so excited.” He sighed. “I don’t have much experience with kids, but I never would’ve let anything happen to him.”

  I glanced at the back yard. “Where is he now?”

  Jared patted the head of his hammer hanging from his tool belt. “I have the tools. I left him with sand paper.” He lifted his eyes to meet mine. “It was never my intention to upset you.”

  And he looked like he meant it. “I appreciate that.”

  He rubbed his gloved hand along the bottom of his stubbled chin. “None of my business, but why do you spend so much energy distancing yourself from everyone?”

  My back stiffened. “You’re right, it is none of your business.”

  Charlie came racing around the corner, sandpaper in hand. “Jared, the wood is getting smooth just like you said it would.”

  Jared tugged off a glove and mussed Charlie’s hair with a warm smile on his face that made it tough to maintain my emotional defenses.

  “Good job, buddy.”

  Before I realized what I was saying, a very bad idea spilled from my lips. “Sherri has a lasagna in the oven. Want to help us eat it?”

  Charlie’s eyes were saucers. “We’ve never had anyone over for dinner before. Please say you’ll stay, Jared.”

  I sighed inwardly. I couldn’t scold Charlie for being honest, but I would’ve rather kept that statistic between us.

  Jared’s gaze held mine, questioning. No. Maybe he was giving me an out. “Are you sure? I’ve got Tank with me, too.”

  My heart thumped, aware this was my chance to rectify my error in judgment. Tank came and sat down in front of me panting with a big bulldog smile.

  I swallowed the ball of confusing emotions in my throat. “He’s housebroken, right?”

  Jared nodded. “A total gentleman.”

  I shook my head, praying I wouldn’t regret this. “Then I guess he’s welcome, too.”

  Charlie squealed like he’d just seen Santa himself and cajoled Tank into racing after him for the front door. As they disappeared inside, Jared pulled off his other glove and tucked them into a pocket on his low-slung tool belt.

  “So what’s this all about?”

  That was the million dollar question. I straightened my skirt, and lifted my chin. “I want to know who spends time with Charlie.”

  “Fair enough.” He nodded with a hint of a smile. “Thanks for the invitation.”

  I glanced at his truck. “So there’s no Mrs. Ayers?”

  He shook his head. “Nope.”

  My heart thumped again. “Good to know.”

  I walked toward the house, grateful he couldn’t see the way my hand trembled as I reached for the knob.

  Chapter Six

  Jared

  I followed Taryn inside, trying not to replay the moment I caught her loving on Tank. Not only had she smiled with her skirt rising up a little to expose her toned thigh, but she chuckled. In t
he couple weeks I’d known her, I’d never heard her laugh. Underneath all her armor, there was a woman hidden inside, and there was a better than average chance no one really knew her.

  Why?

  The scent of fresh Italian food hit me the second I stepped over the threshold. “Smells amazing.”

  Taryn kept walking. “Sherri’s Italian. She makes the sauce and the lasagna from scratch.”

  “Mom says we’re spoiled.” Charlie raced to my side. “You can hang your tool belt with mine.”

  I’d forgotten I had it on. He led me around the corner to the back hallway. His kid-sized belt hung on the end of the banister. I carried mine over and carefully laid it over his. This side of the house lacked the vaulted ceilings that the front had. If Charlie were a little bigger, it might’ve been too confining for me back here. As it was, I had no intention of spending any more time in the narrow hallway than was necessary. When I turned around Taryn was gone.

  Charlie came closer and lowered his voice. “Mom’s not really a people person.”

  I raised a brow. “Who told you that?”

  He shrugged. “I hear her say it on her cell phone. She wouldn’t tell them that if it wasn’t true.”

  I chuckled, resting my hand on his shoulder. “I think your mom needs to cut herself a little slack.”

  He gave me a lopsided smile. “She might be doing that now, since she let Tank in the house and you get to stay for dinner.”

  Charlie was a sweet kid, but I wasn’t foolish enough to think this dinner was anything more than another test. I’d over-stepped my bounds again when I let Charlie work with me, just like I had when I called her by her first name.

  This wasn’t the same woman who fawned over my dog when she thought no one was looking. For that brief moment, I got to see the princess she kept locked up in the tower. I rounded the corner to find the table already set with a third spot for me. Taryn was in the kitchen, taking out the casserole dish and a tray of garlic bread from the oven.

  “Need any help?”

  She placed both dishes on the stovetop. “Nope. I’ve got it.”

  Charlie snatched his plate off of the placemat and walked to the kitchen. “Can I have a big piece?”