Page 59 of Claimed

“Jimmy was his right hand, and Jimmy didn’t have any influence whatsoever. Greyson, I hate to say this and don’t want it to say bad things about me because Wyatt is my flesh and blood, but… he’s an egomaniac. The only way forward with him might be a fight because once he digs into something…he’s not the type to end something without a winner and a loser. He always craves a fight, and I would bet money he’ll fight dirty like he’s already done, using potions. He doesn’t care about honor or family or anything but himself.”

I measure my words, but she speaks again before I get a chance to reply.

“You have to do what you and your council decide you need to do, but whatever you guys do, please do it carefully. He could follow through with some of his threats. The people in my pack could come to great harm either because of what he does to them or what he forces them to do.”

She has no faith whatsoever in him. I’ve seen things like this when we’ve consulted for other packs. That pack needs a new leader.

“I’ll be careful, Blossom.”

There’s so much trouble in her eyes, in our connection. I lift her up and hold her on my lap while I purr for her for a few minutes.My phone interrupts this so I check it and see a message from my sister, who wants to know when she’s needed here.

As I reply, Stacy rises to clear the dishes.

15

Bailey Blackwood

When I pull up to the motel, I immediately see Nadia with her maid cart bumping into a parking lot pothole on her way to get to the next room on her rounds. Perfect timing.

I park, get out of my car, and give her a perky wave.

“Hey girl,” she greets with a wave before grabbing the handle with both hands and giving the cart a hard shove.

“Nadia, hey. Do you recognize her?” I flash my phone and the snapshot I covertly took of my new sister-in-law the other day.

“Sure, yeah, that’s Lily. Waitress at the diner.”

“Which room is she staying in?” I ask.

Nadia looks off thoughtfully and says, “Four. I was gonna clean it but thedo not disturb signis up. Haven’t seen her in a few days actually.”

“She’s not here,” I say, doing some fancy fast-talking. “I’m here to pick up her things and bring them to her. There’s a… family emergency.”

“Oh? You didn’t know if she was staying here though?” Nadia looks skeptical now.

“I knew it was here or the other motel, but forgot which. Um… to be honest it’s kind of delicate. But believe me, I’m on the up and up. Has anyone been seen going in or out of her room?”

Nadia puts her index finger to her mouth and then nods. “Haven’t seen anyone today. Yesterday? Yeah, late afternoonyesterday a guy was here, banging on the door. But I didn’t talk to him.”

“Yikes. Do you think you could let me in to gather her things for her?”

“Chica, I’m sure I don’t have to tell you I’m not supposed to do that.” She shakes her head looking disappointed in me for asking.

Nadia knows me, but not super well. We’re more than just acquaintances with how often we chat. We’ve never actually done more than chat over the counter at her job at the café. She works here because her mother manages the motel, but she also works the later shift at my favorite local café and since I love sitting in the corner by the fireplace and reading a good book with a cup of their incredible chai latte as often as I can, we’ve gotten well acquainted.

“Okay, can you see when she’s paid up until? And… if she doesn’t turn up in time for that, what happens to her stuff? I wouldn’t want her to lose her things and I really doubt she’ll be able to get here to get her stuff within the next few days but I canfor sureget them to her.”

She assesses me shrewdly.

“Like I said, delicate situation. Honest, girlfriend. You know me.”

She gives me another once-over and must decide to trust me because she says, “Wait here.” Then she leaves me with her cart while she rushes to the front office.

When she comes back, she tells me that “Lily” should have checked out yesterday. That because she’s been a good customer, management is giving her today to renew, but Nadia’s mom said that if she doesn’t come in by tomorrow, her things would needto be moved into storage to be held up to thirty days. Nadia’s mom said she was at the diner this morning and the owner said Lily quit due to a family emergency. The owner’s disappointed, said she was a great worker.

After convincing Nadia to let me come in and help her pack up those things and bring them with me, promising to take full responsibility if “Lily” has issues with this, she lets me into the room. And that’s when the mystery of my new sister-in-law deepens.

Everything is ready to go already, like she was planning to come back and get her things quickly. I open the suitcase and there’s just two changes of clothes and a few toiletries, plus a pair of sneakers. Folded on the bed I find two clean diner uniforms. I find a bag behind the ironing board in the small wardrobe that has wrapped gifts with tags on them.

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