Page 8 of Sanctuary

“Hey,” his brother answered.

“My cover’s blown,” Eric growled into the phone. “You know the rumors we’ve heard about a place shifters on the run can go?”

“Yeah,” Cole said, and Eric could tell he was frowning.

“I found it,” Eric replied, then ran his hand down his face.

“Shit!” Cole muttered, then was silent a beat. “Okay, well just get as much information as you can. Just find out if the bastard has been through there.”

“Also, I need you to do a search on a Lance Cutter. E-mail all information you can get on him.” Eric rummaged through his bag, grabbing a clean shirt.

“Okay, no problem. Give me the name of the owner of the sanctuary, and I’ll do a run on them also.” Cole paused, waiting.

Eric actually put the phone down with a frown as he changed shirts. “I’ll take care of that.”

“And why would you do that?” Cole sounded suspicious as Eric knew he would.

“Because no one needs to know anything about my mate.” Eric hung up, cutting off Cole’s curse. Turning his phone on silent, he stuck it in his back pocket and slammed the back of his SUV closed. His phone began to vibrate, but Eric ignored it. He knew it was his nosey-ass brother trying to get info about what he just stated. He hadn’t meant to blurt that out, but there it was. Out in the fucking open, and soon everyone would know because his brother had a big mouth.

He knew deep down the first time he laid eyes on Gemma she was his mate. His wolf knew it first. The man, however, had tried to ignore it, but there was no ignoring the pull Gemma had on him. No other woman had ever affected him in such a way. He knew she wasn’t a shifter, but humans could feel the immediate attraction also.

Knowing he had some serious thinking and explaining to do, he headed toward the house where he could smell the grill smoke. He needed to get rid of Alex before he could discuss anything with Gemma, and there was plenty to be discussed.

Chapter 6

Gemma noticed that Eric was quiet as they ate. Alex had grilled the hamburgers and hot dogs while she’d supplied them with beer and chips. Her money situation didn’t call for juicy steaks; that was reserved for the wolves.

“Thanks for the food.” Alex finished off his beer. “If you don’t mind me hanging around tonight, I’ll work off my stay and food tomorrow with anything you need me to do before I’m on my way.”

“That’s fine.” Gemma nodded, then watched with mixed emotions as Alex jumped off her back deck and disappeared around the corner. She was now alone with Eric, and she didn’t know exactly how she felt about that. Well, nervous for sure, but there was something else she felt, but she couldn’t put her finger on it. “Nice guy,” Gemma said, then took a drink of beer.

“Does Larry know about shifters?” Eric leaned back, his stare intense, his food barely touched.

“No,” Gemma replied, her eyes shifting away from his. “Did you know that Alex was a shifter when you first got here today?”

“Yes.” Eric offered her a one-word answer.

“It must be nice.” Gemma shooed a fly away. “I never know until they let me know.”

“Why?” Eric’s eyes never wavered from hers. “Why do you do it? It’s dangerous. Not all shifters are like Alex, or me for that matter.”

“I knew you were a shifter and no, they aren’t,” Gemma agreed with a shrug. “But everything is dangerous nowadays. I could get killed going into the grocery store. I take my chances, and most of the time the wolf-dogs let me know when trouble shows up. I take their lead in how they react to a new wolf, especially purebloods.”

She paused a moment before forging ahead. “It’s my turn to ask questions.” Gemma knew she didn’t answer his question straightforward, but the truth was she didn’t really know why she did what she did. “Why are you here?”

“You didn’t answer my question.” His mouth quirked up in the corner.

“Caught that, huh.” Gemma went to stand and clean the patio table off, but he stopped her by placing his palm on her arm. His touch was warm, and she welcomed it to the point she wanted more, and it frightened her.

“That can wait,” Eric said before letting go of her arm.

“Listen, I don’t know why I continue other than the promise I made to my grandfather to offer a place for unwanted wolf-dogs and shifters who need a place. I’ve learned that those without a pack need a safe haven once in a while, and that’s what my grandfather offered them. He had a certain spot in his heart for unwanted souls, and I guess, so do I.” Gemma said more than she’d intended, probably because she was irritated that he wasn’t touching her anymore. Man, she had to get herself under control. She would be begging him to touch her and, not just her arm… and, dammit, why was he so easy to talk to? Larry was the only person she felt comfortable talking to, other than her wolves, who knew her life story and then some. “Unfortunately, if Lance Cutter doesn’t stop interfering in my business, I won’t be able to continue.”

Eric stared at her for a long time before taking out his phone and then texting. Gemma took the opportunity to really look at him and realized she didn’t know this man at all other than he saved her twice and had helped out with chores. She had known deep down inside he wasn’t who he’d said he was, and it was time she found out who she sat across from.

“You’ll have meat delivered by the end of the week.” Eric sat his phone down. “Do you have enough to last you until then?”

“I think so, but how? Lance has his hands in every business twenty miles each way.” Gemma knew her eyes were wide with shock, her mouth probably hanging open making her look like an idiot, but how in the hell had he taken care of something she had always failed repeatedly at? She or Larry would always have to drive virtually out of state to get meat when Lance pulled his bullcrap.

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