Page 60 of The Alpha's Mystery

The living room looks like it’s about to burst. Chase was right. We need to get out of here. While I throw on a dress and some wedges, a knot forms in my stomach. My brothers are rough around the edges, are they going to be welcome in Grey Ridge? Chase is trying to start a private security business, what will his prospective clients think about his extended family being littered with criminal records?

CHASE: Whatever it is that’s worrying you, stop, it’s going to be okay

He’s right. As I listen to Marcus scolding the others for being too loud and making a mess, I grin. It’s good to see them here, away from Black River and my father’s poisonous influence. Now that Leon’s behind bars, hopefully we can rebuild the relationships that were fractured by our father’s uncanny ability to mess with people’s heads and force them to pick sides.

I can’t help it. I move to the far wall and look out the window, half expecting to see Bodhi or his bear standing in the treeline, but there’s no sign of him. He’s a big boy, and well able to take care of himself, but I’m worried, despite telling Marcus not to be. Strong arms wrap around me from behind, and Chase’s scent comforts me instantly.

“Bodhi should be here,” I whisper and he nods against my hair, not rushing to reassure me that everything will be okay when he’s never met him. I appreciate that.

“I’m sure he wants to be,” Chase offers softly, brushing my hair aside and resting his cheek beside mine.

Bodhi does. I’m sure of that.

“Let’s go,” I say, sucking in a deep breath and pushing my concerns aside. I’m mated to a hot, bossy guy who’s man enough to make my bear weak at the knees. I have some of my brother’s here. I’m now part of the Walker family, too. Nobody is trying to kill anybody - for once. Times are good.

CHAPTER 45

CHASE

Leaning back against the bar, I take a long swig of beer and watch Natalie laughing happily.

She’s surrounded by her brothers, and my sisters., The girls look tiny beside the hulking, tattooed brothers, but still pepper them with inappropriate questions about what they’re going to do now that Leon’s out of the picture.

Mitch feels me watching and lifts his head, immediately excusing himself and moving in my direction. Marcus begins his approach from the other side, and my lips curve around the mouth of my beer bottle; this should be interesting.

“Heard you’re setting up a security business. You can’t take her,” Marcus growls, no pre-amble, just straight to the point. “We're so busy I can barely take a day off as it is.”

Visibly shaken, he picks at the label of his beer bottle.

“Plus, she's good with the little old ladies. They just want to touch me. It's not right.” Shuddering, he takes another long drink. “One of them even admitted she’d locked herself out of her own damn house so I’d have to come over. They’re terrifying.”

I’d have paid good money to see that exchange.

“She already turned me down,” I admit wryly, still a bit salty about how adamant she was. “She said something about me being a pain in the ass to work with.”

Marcus laughs, relieved that I’m not about to steal his star employee. At least I hope that's why he's laughing?

“What kind of qualifications do you need to get a job like that?” Mitch asks, unsmiling. “Beau does some security work, but it’s strictly off the books. He could do with some steady employment." I leave my empty bottle on the bar and pick up the replacement Sean has kindly left for me. Apparently, he forgave me for disrupting his bar when I moved out of his rental and two humans moved in.

Holding Mitch’s eye, I give him a serious answer to his serious question.

“None, really. Discretion. An ability to keep secrets is vital, but I think you guys have that down. Take no shit. Obey orders and work as a team. Why? Are you interested?”

Mitch shakes his head, although I think it’s a lie. Instead, he stares at the twins, fighting over a game of pool. Maddox pokes his brother in the chest while Mason’s grip tightens around the pool cue at his side. I sigh, already knowing what a handful those two would be.

“I’ve got enough on my plate. But those two could do with a fresh start, something legitimate for a change. You won’t get anyone less likely to take shit than a bear.”

He’s deadly serious. Turning to Marcus, I try to read his expression, trusting his judgement.

“Would you hire them?” He knows being tough is one thing, but that controlling your temper and dealing with dangerous situations calmly is entirely another. Squabbling and getting distracted could get you or your client killed.

Marcus frowns, as he considers my question. “No. But they won’t listen to me. And having them interact with the general public would be a disaster.” He folds his arms over his chest. “But if you can get them to take it seriously, they’d be perfect.” Considering for a moment longer, he adds, “Chat with Beau. He might be on board. He has his own thing going on: bounty hunter, PI, bodyguard. He doesn’t usually like working for anyone, but he might with the right people.”

Tipping his head to where their disagreement has spilled over into Mason grabbing Maddox in a headlock, he adds wearily, “And he can keep those two in line, most of the time.”

Now I’m doubly intrigued; someone with shifter senses and experience could be valuable.

Natalie already explained that Beau was the mastermind behind getting Carla out of Black River before any of the rest of the clan figured out what was going on. She said he’s not here right now, because he’s babysitting a young singer who keeps landing himself in trouble. He could be the perfect guy for our team.

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