Page 42 of Fixer
“What about his wife?”I asked, though, as Dustin turned onto his street.“Shouldn’t we let her know he’s cheating?Humans get diseases and things.”
“You are sweet,” he murmured.“In this case, while doing my surveillance, I spotted her making out with the gardener in their pool house.So no, they deserve each other.”
“Oh.”Well, then, yeah, not my problem.“You think he’ll keep the bargain?”
“I expect some very furious phone calls between the Four Stooges, but they’ll cave.I’d bet none of them wants a crusading reporter digging into their finances.”Dustin sounded certain.
A piece of me that had been in tight knots since the rooftop meeting eased at last.My wolf rumbled deep inside me in satisfaction.Fixer fixed.
The nearest parking space was two blocks away from his office.We got out of the car, grabbed the bag and projector case, and headed down the street.I was watching the streetlights pick out the shape of Dustin’s cheekbones and the width of his shoulders when I saw him suddenly freeze.
“What?”
Dustin nodded in the direction of his building.There, standing in front of his office door, was a werewolf, an older, heavily muscled man who turned our way and took a step toward us.
No question that was a wolf, no doubts.We always knew each other by movement and stance and stare.I didn’t recognize this man, but I knew what he was.Wolf, and very dominant.
“Shit,” Dustin’s nostrils flared as he smelled for other pack members.I did the same, trying not to be obvious, my brain screaming in panic.Wolf?Here?Why?My heart pounded like a jackhammer.
A strange pack had no reason to hunt me or Dustin.We were legitimate lone wolves.No way could they know that just a few days ago, we’d been naked together in my bed, but the guilt felt branded on my forehead.I broke out in a sweat, knowing they’d scent my fear, unable to stay cool.Dustin, beside me, seemed much calmer, though I’d heard his heartbeat quicken too.
A gangling wolf who looked about sixteen but was perhaps twenty came out of the alley behind us, cutting off our retreat.A pack, then, not a loner.There’d be others about, somewhere.Dustin sucked a breath and started forward again.The young wolf closed in behind us.
As we reached the man at the door, Dustin inclined his head in respect.If this wolf wasn’t an Alpha, he was close.Every inch of his stance and stare said so.I bowed my head too, though I hated to do it.
“Shall we talk inside?”The wolf’s voice was as deep as his wide chest predicted.
“Sure.”Dustin moved past him with enviable calm, unlocked the door, coded off the alarm, and swung it open.“After you, sir.”
The strange wolf turned to the youngster behind us.“You’ll come inside with me.The others can keep watch.”
“Yes, Alpha.”
Okay, that answered the question of rank.The Alpha turned and went in, supremely indifferent to Dustin and me at his back.Of course, he could afford to be.Dustin waved me after him, then gestured at the young guy.The kiddidgive a nervous flick of his eyes sideways, before putting his back to Dustin as he passed him.Dustin entered last, shut the door behind us, and locked it.Not that a lock would keep out a werewolf pack for long.
I put the projector case on the counter and moved back beside Dustin, a safe three feet of fighting room between us.Dustin set down his duffel and straightened.Putting my back to his would’ve been smart in a fight, but I didn’t dare imply the Alpha wouldn’t keep the peace.With every nerve strung tight, I stood next to Dustin and schooled my breathing, working for calmness.
The Alpha turned in a slow circle, eyeing Dustin’s dim office space.“Your workplace.”
“Yes, Alpha.”Dustin sounded respectful but self-assured.
“One of my men recognized you.You were Fixer for the Boulder pack, in your father’s footsteps.Dustin Palmer.”
“Yes.”
“You go by Dustin Nash now.”
“I do.I left the Boulder pack and went lone wolf five years ago.”
“This is my territory,” the Alpha told us.“Lone wolves must ask permission to live in an Alpha’s territory.”
“With all due respect, I didn’t know you now also claimed the north side of the city as your own.”
A small growl filtered into the Alpha’s voice.“I claimallof the city.”
“Noted, sir.”
The Alpha turned to me.“And this wolf?I do not know you.Explain yourself.”
