Page 14 of Refuge

“Sorry about that.” Cole glanced at Gemma, praying he wouldn’t find a crying woman on his hands. Instead, she had a big grin on her face.

“Ah, shoot. I don’t care about any of that stuff.” Gemma looked away from where Eric had disappeared. “I know how to keep my man. And if one of those women make the bad decision to come looking for him, well, let’s just say I’m pretty scrappy.”

“I bet you are.” Cole laughed with a nod of approval. “Eric couldn’t have found a better mate.”

“Even though I’m human?” Gemma eyed him, watching his response.

“Human… shifter, it doesn’t matter,” Cole assured her.

“Frog?” she teased with a cocked eyebrow.

“That’s what I’m hoping for Kile,” Cole added with a wink, then turned to look for Leeza. Seeing her talking to Lance, he frowned.

“She’s special.” Gemma’s voice was closer to him.

He looked down to see her also staring in Leeza and Lance’s direction. “Very.”

“Everyone is thinking that because Lance has written me a check and has been helping that I’ve forgiven and forgotten the hell he put me through.” Gemma’s voice turned grim. “I haven’t, but I believe in second chances. I’ll take his money, believe that, because my wolves need it. But trust him… not yet. Not even close. Just watch out for him. He’s a known womanizer in these parts, but I think Leeza already has her sights on someone else.”

Gemma gave him a wink before walking off, but her words penetrated deep. Lance Cutter was a walking dead man if he had his sights set on Leeza. She was his, and it was damn time the man knew it.

* * *

Standing back and watching everyone talk to Sherry, Leeza was damn proud of her pack. They had actually listened and heard her, realized that acting differently toward her or Sherry had hurt the situation. Glancing over, she saw Eric angrily heading for Kile, who was practically running away. A smile lit her face. She was glad her brother had known someone like Eric Jackson. No one was perfect, but he proved he would listen and make things right.

“Looks like there may be a problem.” Lance walked up to her, his eyes also on Eric chasing Kile down.

“With three brothers, this happens.” Leeza chuckled, then grimaced when Eric caught up with Kile. “And with Kile, it happens a lot… with both brothers.”

“Should we stop it?” Lance cringed when Kile took a punch to the stomach.

“You value your life?” Leeza replied point blank. Lance didn’t respond. They both watched as Gemma ran toward them breaking up the fight, or at least stopping Eric from killing Kile.

Once everything seemed okay between the brothers, Lance glanced down at Leeza. “So, are you one of them?”

Leeza frowned. “A shifter?” When he nodded, she nodded back. “Yes, I am. And do you know how rare it is for someone, especially someone who is distrusted as much as you, to be a part of pack business?”

“I figured as much.” Lance’s eyes left hers to gaze the area. “So that’s why Eric killed Foster Manning?”

“Yes.” Leeza realized how much trouble this man could cause them, and her stomach clenched. What in the hell were they thinking trusting him? Her eyes narrowed as she stepped closer to him. “I swear, if you ever think to bring harm to this pack or Gemma, I will personally tear you apart. I will hunt the ends of this earth to find you and when I do, I will—”

“Whoa.” Lance held his hands up, surprise lighting his eyes. “Believe me when I tell you I have been warned, threatened, and scared shitless by Eric, Gemma, Larry, Kile, Cole, and now you. I got the message loud and clear.”

When Leeza didn’t respond right away, Lance frowned in disappointment.

“If I were going to tell anyone, there would have been police, news reporters, and animal control that night. That didn’t happen, did it?” Again, she remained silent, and he sighed. “Well, I guess I need to go. I’ve a few meetings set up for jobs in the next hour.”

“Guess they’re all full,” Leeza said, deciding then and there he was being truthful, because if he had any ill-intentions, he would have talked that night. And to be honest, he had only since then tried to help. Plus, if she got a job, which she really needed, she could keep an eye on him. She was content for now in the tent on Gemma’s property. Leeza didn’t need much, never had.

“Well that depends, what are you looking for?” Lance replied with a large relieved grin, before glancing down at the paper in his hand. “You like working with horses?”

“Absolutely.” Excitement bubbled inside her. Working for a paycheck with horses and then working with the wolves in her free time was a dream.

“Pay is sixteen an hour, eight hours a day, five days a week, weekends off and paid holidays,” Lance rattled the list off.

“Sounds terrific. I can work nights here for Gemma,” Leeza replied with a large smile. “What time do you want me there today for the interview?”

Lance glanced over her head, then quickly looked back at her before turning to leave. “That was your interview. You got the job.” He turned and walked away.

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