Page 36 of Sparks Flying

“We have a situation. I should probably head into the office. No one can reach Dean, and one of the interns has gone missing.”

“They’re here,” she said.

He walked out into the living room in his suit and then stopped to stare at us. My brother rarely missed a thing, and he certainly took notice of our conjoined hands.

“Oh shit. Elias was right?”

“You bet against them?”

“Well yeah. Did you know she’s a wolf? I get she’s cute and all, but Dean, come on.”

Gracie glared at him. “Don’t you dare come between true mates.”

“A raven and a wolf can’t be true mates, can they?”

“Apparently they can,” Dean assured him. “You know I would never joke about something like this.”

“Patrick and his team are out looking everywhere for her.”

I pulled out my phone and called Patrick O’Connell. He answered on the first ring.

“Hello?”

“Patrick, it’s Dean Davenport. I wanted to update you on a situation. Earlier, I ran into Bailey and asked her to take another look out by the cliff with me. We can never be too cautious, right? Anyway, there was an incident. She’s completely fine, but I suffered a minor concussion. She was able to get help and we’re just getting back into town now. Ryan said you were worried and out looking for her, so I just wanted to check in and let you know she’s alright, but my sister-in-law is going to run a full check-up on the both of us just in case.”

“Fecking hell. I’ve been worried sick. You’re both okay though?”

“Yes, sir. She’s here with me if you’d like to speak with her.”

I passed Bailey the phone. I knew she didn’t want to do it, but she reluctantly took the phone from me.

“Hi Patrick. I’m really sorry I scared everyone. I think I left my phone somewhere along the way, but I’m okay. I think Dean will be too.” There was a pause, but I couldn’t really hear what Patrick was saying to her. “Yes, sir. I think that would befor the best. I’ll check back in first thing tomorrow morning as usual. . .I understand. Thank you.”

She hung up the phone and frowned.

“I’m probably going to land on probation for this.”

“No you won’t,” Ryan said. “Let me handle it.”

I snapped at him. “I can manage this.”

“You need to calm down and you’re going to have to learn to control your emotions, especially when it comes to Bailey.”

“Should we call the family in? Bailey doesn’t want this becoming public knowledge,” Gracie told her mate.

“Shit. Yeah, they’re going to need all the help they can get.”

“We’re right here, asshole. And you are not bringing Mom into this. I’m not ready for that yet.”

“Ah, yes. The fall from grace,” he teased.

“It won’t be like that,” I insisted. “Pretty sure the three of you have disillusioned her to the point that nothing will surprise her, not even this.”

“Um, wolf. Need I say more? Just when she thought it couldn’t go any lower than Elias mating a Grimes you bring home a wolf. Yeah, she’s gonna freak out.”

“Behave, Ryan. You’re just going to freak them out for no reason.”

“I won’t call in the parents—yet.”

---