Page 24 of Rescued

Gabe leans back slightly, his hands still stroking through my hair. The gentle motion drains away the last vestiges of worry from our conversation.

“No,” he says. “Why?”

“Because,” I say, rising from the couch, my senses sharpening, “I just heard a car slowing down to turn…”

The sharp banging on the door makes Gabe jump up and dart past me, his expression shifting from calm to alarm in an instant.

“Shit, Mika. I haven’t thought of a reason you’re here, how we met, anything.”

I can feel his panic, but I shake my head. “It’s okay. I can sit in the bedroom, if you want.”

Even as I offer, I know I don’t want to hide. Gabe hesitates, and I see the conflict in his eyes. I know it would be easier for him to send me to the bedroom, but I also know what that would mean.

Hiding me would make me feel like a dirty secret.

Gabe’s jaw locks, and his expression hardens with resolve. “No. No way in hell, Mika. Just drop down on the couch, and we’ll deal with whatever happens. Besides, it’s probably Todd or Adam.”

I nod, but something feels off. Tipping my head up slightly, I take in the scents carried through the air, trying to pinpoint the source of my unease.

This isn’t Todd or Adam.

Thestench hits me first—something foul and acrid, like anger and cruelty rolled into one. My hackles rise, and I lower my head to meet Gabe’s questioning gaze.

“If those are the friends who were with you before, this isn’t them,” I say, keeping my voice low. “This is a man who smells…bad. Like mean and trouble.”

Gabe frowns, processing my words even as his hand reaches for the door handle.

The moment he swings it open, the source of the stench is confirmed.

I step out of the house and see Kaufman leaning against his cruiser, and I can feel the tension radiating off Gabe like a live wire. The sheriff’s posture is lazy on the surface—slouched with one hand resting too casually on his holster—but his eyes give him away. He’s sizing Gabe up, calculating, like a predator deciding whether to lunge or wait for a better opening.

“Sheriff Kaufman.” Gabe’s tone is clipped, just shy of outright hostility.

I stand behind him, every muscle in my body tensing as I take in the smug expression plastered across the sheriff’s face.

“Staley,” Kaufman drawls, his voice oozing condescension. “Heard you were on old lady Shumaker’s property.”

My instincts scream at me to protect Gabe, but I hold myself back, staying silent as I watch the exchange unfold. This man isn’t here for idle chit-chat—he’s trouble.

And whatever he’s about to say, I know it won’t be good.

“And?” Gabe asks, keeping his tone neutral.

“You ain’t gonna deny it,boy?”

Ah, there it is. A classic intimidation move, throwing out ’boy‘ like it’s supposed to make him feel small. Never mind the fact that we’ve both got a good six inches on the man. It’s never going to work, but he still tries it like it’s some kind of magic word.

Gabe stays relaxed, loose, letting the insult roll off him.

“Why would I bother doing that?” he replies, shrugging. “It’s pretty clear you know I was there. So, are we going to banter back and forth, wasting taxpayer dollars, or are you going to cut to the chase? Either is fine with me, by the way, but since you’re an elected official…”

Gabe trails off, and I’m biting the inside of my cheek to stop myself speaking as I see the angry flush rising up the sheriff’s neck.

Gabe doesn’t push him further, clearly knowing it’s a bad idea. Kaufman isn’t just coming across as petty—he’s unhinged. If I weren’t standing behind Gabe, he’d probably say something even sharper, but with me here, he’s going to need to keep this from escalating.

“Damn it, Gabe, you’re always causing trouble,” Kaufman says, his tone carrying a mocking snarl that sets my wolf on edge.

I step closer, staying just behind Gabe. My presence isn’t meant to overshadow him—this is his fight—but if Kaufman makes a wrong move, I’m ready.

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