“Okay.” He glanced at her. “Let’s take each one separate.”
“The senator has a bill up for passing that is going to piss off a lot of shifters. He’s also the father of a cub that isn’t his, which might be why he’s involved.”
“I don’t follow.”
She shrugged. “A man trying to hide a secret, especially when he’ll be running for re-election? Maybe he wanted to hide the proof that his wife cheated on him.”
“I’ll work that angle.” He slid his fingers through hers. “Drunks tend to talk…a lot. I’ll ask around and see what I can find out from the bar and some of the shifters in the Glade. They might be more willing to talk to me than you since I don’t carry a badge.”
She turned to him and smiled. “You’d do that for me?”
“Of course.” He lifted her fingers to his lips and kissed the inside of her palm. “So now you know what you need to check into. The missing person report, background on the people at the lab, and the man who was meeting with the senator.”
He pulled into a parking space in the SID lot and turned off the ignition. He turned to her. “I need you to trust me.”
She tilted her head. “You’re the only person I do trust.”
He gave a slow, knowing nod. “You might not like what I have planned, but I need you to know that I’d never hurt you.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Nothing to worry about.” He leaned over and kissed her lips. “Meet me at the bar later.”
She held his face and pulled him in for another kiss, letting her lips linger against his. “Okay.” She opened the door and was about to get out when he stopped her and placed his SUV keys into her hands. “You’re going to need wheels.” He winked. “I’ll call Max to come get me. He should still be in town.” He leaned in once more and kissed her. “Watch your back, Lizzie. They’re gunning for you.”
She gave him a mock salute. “Yes, sir.”
She got out of the car and met him around the back. She clicked the lock button with his fob and leaned up, resting her arms around his neck. She pulled him down and pressed a tender kiss to his lips. “You’re not half bad at being a mate.”
He grinned. “Is that your way of saying you approve?”
She chuckled as she turned to walk off, and he smacked her ass.
I hope she still thinks so after tonight.Rhys pulled his phone out of his pocket and called Max to come pick him up. He hung up and then dialed the one man who was sure to help. “Cousin, you owe me, and I’m calling in my favor.”
He walked toward the road and paced the lot. “I want you or one of your guys to follow her today if she leaves the building.”
“She’s not going to be happy,” Colton argued.
“She may not be happy, but she’ll be alive. I also need you to text me her number and Evan’s.”
“Why do you need to talk to Evan?”
“It doesn’t matter why. I just need this.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Lizzie needs this.”
“Fine, I hope you’re right.”
He hoped his plan was the right thing to do too. His life and his mate’s happiness hung in the balance. Rhys hung up the phone and waited for the text. He took a deep breath, trying to loosen his shoulders. He dialed the number and waited for Evan to answer.
“What the fuck are you trying to do, get her killed?” Evan growled in greeting, keeping his voice low
“We need to talk. Be at the bar in an hour.”
“I’m in the middle of something.”
“If you really want to help her, then be there. She needs something only you can give her.” Rhys shook his head, not believing that he’d just said those words and disconnected the call. He texted Elizabeth with his number and grinned when she texted him back with a heart.
****