Page 38 of Bearnapped at the Altar

I’d thought about writing down my statement, but there had never been a better time to speak from my heart.

“In the three years I worked for Gideon Silverclaw, I witnessed him do unspeakable things that cost some shifters their homes and others their lives. I always knew I had to do something, but what? I was just a middle-aged lady who had trouble paying her rent. How would I take on a huge company? That was what led me to Moonlight Mates, because I wanted to use my fifteen minutes as a chance to right his wrongs. If I was famous, maybe I could get people to listen. To care. But what I didn’t know was Gideon was one step ahead of me. He worked with the production company to find a way to silence me for good. Yes, Larrie Michaels and Moonlight Mates were complicit in his plan. I’m not Gideon Silverclaw’s mate. Trapping me into a marriage against my will was a way to keep his nefarious business practices quiet for good. But I’ve been able to uncover the evidence that proves that Gideon was negligent in his dealing with the shifters who had participated in the Wild Adventures tours, that he had displaced many of them, had deals in place to take more land from shifters, and not give them what he had promised in return. I’ve turned those files over to the proper authorities, and they will be made available by the legal teams soon. Going public won’t give those shifters their land or their lives back, but they can rest easy knowing Gideon Silverclaw won’t take anything from anyone ever again. I believe he’s also prepared a statement.”

I couldn’t wait to look him in the eye when I stepped away from the podium. I had nothing to hide, nothing to apologize for, nothing to be ashamed of.

But the wolf bastard wouldn’t meet my gaze.

“On behalf of Silverclaw Enterprises and Wild Adventures, I deeply apologize to anyone who feels that I’ve wronged them. My lawyers are reviewing the evidence Ms. Reynolds obtained for its legality, and I’ll make a more in-depth statement after I’ve spoken to them.”

But the biggest statement of all were the police officers who waited for Gideon and Larrie at the bottom of the stage.

“Sweet moon, is that not the most satisfying thing ever?” I said to Barrett as the officers cuffed them and hauled them away.

Barrett shook his head. “Watching you completely ruin that asshole was the only thing that could possibly top it.”

The reporters went wild as he pressed a kiss to my forehead.

“Let’s get out of here,” he said. “Assuming you still want to hang out with me. You’re not in danger anymore. You don’t need me to protect you.”

I took his hands in mine. “Bear, I would follow you anywhere.”

Chapter

Eighteen

Barrett

Tegan beamed at me from the passenger’s seat of the SUV. It was the first time we were truly alone without the case hanging over our head. We were free.

“You’re gorgeous, you know that?”

“Of course I do.” She laughed and gave her hair a playful flip. “Although I can’t let you get used to me looking like this. It’s not the norm. I’m a ponytail and jeans type of gal.”

“I like those too.” I pressed the button and let the engine purr for a moment before pulling away from the set of Moonlight Mates for the final time. “You were really fucking magical up there today.”

She let out a long, shaky breath. “I was absolutely terrified, like somehow, someone would come out of nowhere and make a fool out of me, or Gideon would pull the final rabbit out of his hat and prove me wrong. But it was so much easier knowing I had you by my side, Barrett. That if anything went wrong, you’d take care of it.”

“You have no idea how many shifters will fight for you because you took down Silverclaw. Hell, you’ll probably never have to buy a beer again.” I chuckled.

“Change beer to caramel lattes and I’m in.”

“You can have whatever you want. Seriously, don’t minimize what you did. Like you said on stage, it won’t bring our land back, but a lot of shifters, including me, will rest a lot easier knowing Silverclaw is rotting in a jail cell.”

“I couldn’t have done it without you. You’re the only one who took my claim seriously. Everyone else told me to calm down, and that I was letting my emotions get the best of me because I got fired, while Gideon Silverclaw was out there getting pats on the back for ruining people’s lives. It was maddening, and you’re like a breath of fresh air, Barrett Guardian.” She put her hand over mine and squeezed. “I want to pay you for this job.”

“This has gone way beyond a job, Tegan.”

“I’m not mad about that.” She laughed. “But I like to hold up my end of a bargain. I’ll admit, I was in over my head on this one, but I had to make a bold move. When I called you, I swore to myself I’d find a way to pay for the job if somehow I convinced you to take me on. I won’t go back on that promise just because you gave me the best orgasm of my life.”

I almost crashed the fucking SUV. “I did?”

“Don’t get too full of yourself, bear, but let’s just say you’re pretty good with your hands.” Her hand moved from mine onto my thigh, and we almost got into our second accident in less than a minute. If she got any closer to my cock, I’d pull over and take her on the side of the road…

My bear rumbled loudly inside me, saying everything I couldn’t.

“Maybe we should stop on the way to wherever we’re going and get those condoms,” she suggested.

“Absolutely.” I needed to focus so I could get her home, after a stop at the drugstore, of course. “I have an idea for how you might be able to pay me back.”

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