Page 71 of Rebel's Fairytale

After shaking hands, he let her hand go and began, “Sorry we have to meet under these circumstances. Also sorry I have to do this when I know this is quite a shock for you, but in order to find the perpetrator or perpetrators, we need to act fast.”

Ruby gave a nod, staring at the ugly words across the brick of the building. “Of course,” she mumbled.

The detective asked her all the expected questions about her contact information, full name, Sharon White, the complaint, her understanding of what the message said, and came around to the questions Ruby really didn’t want to answer. Not that she suspected the Howlers of having anything to do with it, but she also didn’t want to bring them into something they had no involvement in. She was feeling protective of Rebel and his family.

“And how are you connected to the Howlers Motorcycle Gang?”

“Club,” Ruby corrected. She fought the urge to glare at the detective and cleared her throat. “I am dating Port Christopher Blau. He goes by the road name Rebel.”

The detective nodded while he wrote on his little notepad. “And is Mr. Blau a… what do they call them?”

Ruby’s eyes narrowed on the detective, and she reminded herself that telling off the detective wouldn’t help the situation. “Shifters,” she said through clenched teeth. “They are called shifters. And whether or not Rebel is a shifter is no one’s business.”

“I disagree, Ms. Cooke.” The detective cocked an eyebrow. “The vandal obviously has a problem withshifters, as well as you. The most logical connection would be if your boyfriend was a shifter.”

“I am,” Rebel said as he strolled up next to her. “If you have questions about me or my club or shifters, you can direct them my way.”

When he stopped next to her, Ruby was irritated. She thought he understood that she needed to handle this on her own. “Rebel,” she said on a sigh. “I thought I told you to let me handle this.”

He gave a nod, but replied, “Axle sent me. He’s heading downtown to talk to the police, at their request.”

She put her hands to her hips and stared into his brownish-green eyes. “And you didn’t have any say in that decision?”

He just shrugged.

She didn’t believe for one minute that he didn’t have anything to do with Axle’s decision, but now wasn’t the time to argue with him about it. She shelved it for another time and turned back to the detective.

“I don’t know who did this. The only person I’ve had any confrontation or issue with is Sharon White, but to be honest, I don’t believe she would do something like this.”

The detective nodded and again verified her phone number in case he had further questions. Then he handed her his card and turned to face Rebel.

“Mr. Blau, if you wouldn’t mind answering some questions for me, I would appreciate it.” Then the detective and Rebel walked off.

Glaring at the Howler’s colors on Rebel’s back, Ruby went to follow them, but Debbie grabbed her arm to stop her. “Bri.”

With a deep breath, Ruby turned to face her boss. Remembering that she was dealing with her place of employment, she pushed aside her issues with Rebel and uttered, “I’m sorry, Debbie. I don’t know who did this.”

“I know. I don’t hold you responsible, but…”

Ruby nodded. “You think it would be best if I wasn’t here until they figured it out.”

“I’m not forcing you to take leave. And if you decide you don’t want to do that, I will stand behind you. But, Bri, this isn’t all of it.”

“What do you mean?”

“There’s more on the back.”

Debbie held up her phone and showed Ruby a picture of the back of the building. In lime green paint were the wordsWE KNOW WHAT YOU MONSTERS DONE.

Rage, pure rage filled Ruby at the words. The asshole or assholes pulled the Howlers into this. It was a clear message to and about the Howlers. And she would guess the words on the front of the building were only there to incite the Howlers into doing something they could get in trouble for. She didn’t like being a pawn in someone’s game.

“This is bigger than you. And I’m worried for your safety.” Debbie looked sincere. Her brows were pinched together, and there were frown lines around her mouth.

“I understand your concern, but…” Ruby took a calming breath. “I’m not letting some idiot with fifteen dollars’ worth of spray paint and terrible penmanship keep me from my job. Again, ifyoutell me I need to stay home until this is handled, I will. If you are expecting me to make this decision, it’s going to take a lot more than the scrawlings of a lunatic to force me out of my job, even temporarily. So, let me know what you decide.”

Then she turned on her heel and stormed back to her car. She was too angry to stand there any longer. She needed a minute to pull herself back together.

Rebel

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