Page 31 of The Scent of Seduction

Nicole went over to the fireplace and kneeled in front of the flames, holding the red skin of her hands out. Tiny pins poked beneath the surface as they thawed. “There wasn’t anywhere in the office to hide. Not anywhere that wasn’t obvious, anyway. I was making my way to the car. It’s not like I was stupid enough to take off without proper gear. And what the hell happened out here?”

“That was me, Nicole.”

She spun around and found Jeff leaning against the door to the office. “What are you doing here?”

Jeff stared straight at Nicole. “I came to tell Cooper that I think I might have your watchers in custody.”

“How did you get into the house? The system wouldn’t have unlocked the doors for you automatically.”

"The door wasn't locked," he said, arcing his eyebrow and looking back and forth between Cooper and Nicole, "I knocked but I guess the two of you were busy with something else." I knocked, but I guess the two of you were busy with something else.”

Nicole stood and then strode over to push Jeff back into the wall. His eyes widened a little at the strength behind the shove. “How dare you imply anything inappropriate between Cooper and me! I love my mate, and Cooper would never be so disrespectful towards his Alpha—something I obviously can’t say about you. Now inform Cooper of what you supposedly came to tell him and get out of my home.”

Nicole turned her back on Jeff and crossed the living room to hers and Jaryn’s bedroom. She slammed the door shut and paced around the room. Something about Jeff didn’t sit right. Aside from his gross insubordination, not only towards Jaryn, his Alpha, but Cooper, his superior officer. Something about the man’s eyes raised Nicole’s hackles.

She stripped her clothes and donned dry ones. Part of her wanted to hide in the bedroom all day—curled up in front of the roaring stone fireplace just like the one on the other side of the wall in the living room. The other part of her wanted to storm back out there and confront Jeff by demanding answers to her questions.

Nicole had turned to make another circuit around the room when there was a quiet knock on the door.

“Nicole? It’s Cooper. He’s gone.”

She walked over to the door and slowly opened it. When she saw it was, in fact, her protector, she let the door swing open. “Is it over? Does he really have the watchers in custody?”

Cooper leaned on the doorframe and crossed his arms. He frowned, and the pensive look in his eyes did not assure Nicole.

“He says he has two men in lockup. When I asked him on what charges, he told me he arrested them based on outstanding warrants.”

“That makes no sense. I can, with almost complete certainty, guarantee then they aren’t Adam’s goons. Adam would have had his tech wizard Jasper wipe out any hint of a criminal record for the people who are there willingly, and for those who aren’t… well, of those I actually met, they just aren’t that kind of men and women.”

"Even the most innocent appearing person can have a warrant out for their arrest. If any of them had outstanding speeding tickets, before their kidnapping, for instance. A fairly minimal charge, but if the fine wasn’t paid or the person didn’t appear in court, then the judge can automatically issue a warrant. Unpaid parking tickets will get you a warrant. It’s not only hardened criminals the police are looking for."

“Well, damn. So what you’re saying is, the men Jeff took may or may have nothing to do with Adam or our watchers.”

“Pretty much.” Cooper unfolded his arms, then rested a hand on Nicole’s shoulder. “Sorry. Look, why don’t I give the Chaunterels a call? I think we need a break from all this. You can go over for a friendly visit and relax for a few hours, and I can touch base with Jaryn and the task force.”

Nicole nodded and smiled up at Cooper. “Thanks.”

“Nic, you came!”

Nicole hugged Charlie for a second. “I told you I would. Now, where is this project of yours?”

“Um, well… you see, the thing is… I haven’t exactly started it yet. I was kinda hoping you could—”

Nicole held up her hand. “Wait a minute, buster. I told you I would help you iron out the details, not do the project with you.”

“Well, the details include how to get started.” Charlie got down on his knees in front of Nicole. “Please,” he begged.

Nicole chuckled and shook her head. “I bet your brother would love to see you at this moment.”

Charlie blanched and spied Nicole’s comm-unit attached to her wrist. He scrambled to his feet. “You… you’re not recording this, are you? Oh shi… shoot, are you going to tell him?”

Nicole put her arm around Charlie. “Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me. You know Jaryn loves you, right? He likes to give you trouble, but he’d do absolutely anything for you.”

Charlie ducked his head. “Yeah, I know. It’s why I tease him so much. I know that underneath all that Alpha-ness is simply my brother. He’s always there when I need him.”

“Well, that’s all very true, but now you have me, too. I have an older brother, but I’ve never had a younger one. Think it’d be okay if I consider you my brother from now on?”

Charlie’s smile lit up the room, and he hugged Nicole tight. “I’d like that. And eventually you and Jaryn will have an actual wedding, so I really will be your brother. In- law, anyway. By the way, does being your brother mean I get automatic A’s once you teach again?”

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