Page 9 of Brandt's Rule

Jobe smirked. “A feeling, huh?”

Tempest nodded.

“Tell you what, I’ll ask around. You want to check back in a day or two, I’ll let you know what I find out,” Jobe offered.

Tempest knew exactly what was happening. They didn’t know her, had no clue what she wanted with Maverik. And they were closing ranks to protect him. “Any help you can offer in locating him would be greatly appreciated.”

“All I can promise is that I’ll find out if anyone knows him. If so, we’ll point you his way.”

“I appreciate your efforts,” Tempest said. Tempest smiled, and intentionally projected a warm welcoming feeling toward Jobe, and to the rest of the crew she could sense watching her. There were several humans scattered about the site, but there were even more paranormals. It was the paranormals that had remained hidden while she spoke with Jobe, but she had no doubt they’d not missed a single word of their conversation. Tempest turned, walked back over to her bike and got on it. She reached for her helmet, but right before she pulled it on, she cast a look up onto the top of the 3rd story roof that Brandt and Remi were on. Her eyes locked with Brandt’s and for an uncomfortable moment in time neither could look away.

Summoning all the strength gifted her from both her parents, Tempest pulled her helmet on, breaking the connection, then fired up her bike and drove away. She held herself taut. Keeping her emotions in check. Refusing to allow her shock to get the best of her, refusing to allow the literal shaking of her soul to transfer to her body. The male she’d just locked eyes with stripped her raw. It was like he could see right through her, and what the hell was up with that?

Brandt watched as the female rode away, and couldn’t hold in the snarl that erupted unbidden from his throat. This was the same female he’d encountered leaving the coffee shop, he was sure of it. Why then was she having this effect on him now? He’d felt a little off when he’d passed her before, but nothing like this.

“You alright?” Remi asked.

Brandt ignored Remi, and slid down the roof, landing on his feet right behind the building, stalking quickly to where Jobe still stood watching the female go. “Who was she?” Brandt demanded.

“I don’t know. Said a friend of Maverik’s. You heard her.”

Remi had hurried to follow Brandt. “Hey, you good?”

Brandt glared at Remi. “I am always good.” Then he turned to Jobe as they listened to the echoes of her bike in the distance carrying her further and further away. “She comes back… don’t touch her!”

Jobe’s head jerked back like he’d been slapped, his brows raising in surprise. “Dude, I’m married. I have no interest in her whatsoever.”

“I didn’t ask if you had an interest. I said don’t touch her,” Brandt insisted, walking away from all of them and getting in his truck. He turned the ignition and said not another word to anyone as he spun his tires, leaving them standing where they’d been, watching him as he drove quickly away.

Jobe and Remi looked at each other. “What the hell is his deal?” Jobe asked.

“Obviously he knows her,” Remi said.

“From where?”

“I’m not sure, but I’m thinking I might have a hint,” Remi said, looking at the last place they’d been able to see Brandt’s truck before they lost sight of him.

“Hey! Where did Brandt go?” Barron asked, striding up from a couple of buildings over.

“I’m pretty sure he followed the girl that showed up looking for Maverik,” Jobe said.

“What girl?” Barron asked.

“Girl showed up and said she’s looking for Maverik. When she left, Brandt jumped down off the roof and followed her.”

“She say what she wanted with Maverik?” Barron asked.

“No. Didn’t even give her name. Just said she was a friend of Maverik’s and hadn’t seen him in a long while.”

“Then what the hell is wrong with Brandt? Lot of people know Mav. Why’d he follow her? Did he say anything?” Barron asked.

“Only that if she comes back I’m not allowed to touch her,” Jobe said defensively.

“You touched her?” Barron asked.

“I shook her hand when she extended hers! It’s common courtesy.”

Barron stood there a second or two thinking about it. Then his eyes widened and he looked at Remi. “Ohhh!”

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