Page 26 of Her Big Bad Wolf
There was a small part of me that ached watching him lean down and snag a kiss from his mate. I’d chosen my lifestyle as a sort of shield of armor against the pain others could cause. Being that close to someone came with a lot of pain. I’d suffered enough for one lifetime.
Besides, my lifestyle was not conducive for a mate. It also left no opportunity to find one. I’d made my peace with that a long time ago.
Still, it was rare that I actually saw mates together like this and I couldn’t deny how empty it made me feel inside.
This whole week was turning into an emotional one. I hated it.
Tarron quickly introduced the other two with him.
“This is Ben. He was here last night. And that’s Grant. He’s also on Bravo but wasn’t around yesterday. They both volunteered to help me install. We’ll be in and out as quickly as possible.”
“Good,” I said, a little gruffer than I intended. I really did appreciate them coming out here.
“Why don’t you show me your setup. Archie said you already had a server in place, but I brought some things anyway, just in case.”
I hated showing anyone my equipment, but if I wanted their help, I didn’t think I had a choice. I did trust Archie, or at least as much as I trusted anyone. Maybe even a little more than that.
“Right this way,” I told her.
Vanessa
Chapter 9
“You look exhausted again,” Mary criticized the second she saw me.
“I saw him, Mary. He was right there. I’m not crazy.”
“No one is accusing you of being crazy. I was accusing you of staying up looking for him all night—again.”
“Fine, so I drove around for a while. That’s not illegal.”
“No, it’s overexerting yourself. Kyle has the best of the best out looking for them. They may even have gotten a lead. He has a team setting up surveillance cameras to see if we can catch them. Isaac doesn’t believe it’s the kids, but someone out there has been stealing from him and squatting in the woods near his house.”
“Isaac? I don’t think I know an Isaac.”
“Most people don’t.”
She explained where he lived, or at least the general area. It was enough for me to understand where I needed to be this evening.
“Why does Kyle think it could be the kids all the way out there?”
“Well, it’s possible it’s just a grifter passing through, but Isaac had some hay go missing and found a nest setup in the woods. He’s had eggs missing too. He doesn’t believe it could be kids, but it’s the only suspicious activity we’ve heard and everyone’s been on the lookout for those boys.”
“When Cameron ran off yesterday, he did head in that direction.”
“Exactly. It’s just a little tricky with Isaac.”
“Why?”
“He doesn’t exactly like people. It’s a wonder that he’s never gone full rogue. He flies under the radar. Few people even know he’s out there, and those that do have spread lore about him. It keeps everyone away, so I think he’s okay with it.”
“Crazy Sac?” I blurted out.
She chuckled. “That’s him.”
“I thought that was just a story people used to scare kids from straying off too far in the woods.”
“Not exactly, but kind of. Let’s just say Isaac is more likely to shoot first and ask questions later. So don’t get any bright ideas about going out there. I can see those thoughts flying through that head of yours already. Promise me, Vanessa, you won’t go looking for trouble.”
