Page 57 of Fight
"I don't know, some friend of Brandon's, I could tell that much."
"Was there anything to be concerned about, or were they just continuing the harassment?"
"Mostly harassment, but he made a few vague threats while he was talking."
"Threats?What kind of threats?"That got his attention.
"Nothing specific, just vague shit.'You thought you could get away with it,' and 'you'll pay' kind of stuff.I'm not concerned."
"I am."He rolled until he could look me in the eye."It's escalating.They haven't damaged anything of yours yet, but they've shown with my truck and bike that they're not above destroying things."
"You're right."
"And at the rate they're escalating things, I wouldn't be surprised if they up the stakes to physical violence before long.Attacking people, not just things.I'm worried about you."
"I'm not worried about myself, but I am worried about my family."I admitted."None of them would stand a chance against one of us determined to hurt them.That is what worries me."I leaned closer and laid my cheek against his bare chest, rubbing my face against his skin and breathing in his scent."I can take anything they try to do to me.It's hurting my family I couldn't handle."
He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me up against him."I know."He kissed the top of my head softly."I know."We laid together in the darkness, each lost in our own thoughts as we drifted off to sleep again.
Later that morning, Bill called, he said he needed to meet with me and he asked us to come by that afternoon.
Devon and I went to the meeting with Bill together.I suspected that he'd found a non-shifter he wanted us to meet, and I was a little nervous to hear about it.At least he'd requested that Devon and I come together, that had helped my nerves.We showed up at about four.Devon had come in from work, cleaned up, and we went right over.Terry answered the door and escorted us to Bill's office.We exchanged greetings, but Terry seemed tense and didn't offer to chat.Bill was sitting at his desk when I knocked on the open door.
Bill looked up at the sound, and smiled."There you are.Come on in and have a seat."He stood and motioned to the seating area on the other end of the long narrow room."Can I get you anything to drink?"He asked, as if we were guests, and not pack members he'd requested a meeting with.
We both refused drinks, preferring to find out why we were there.We sat together on the long leather sofa, across from the chair I normally sat in when I was alone, so that we could stay together.Bill sat in the other chair.
"You've probably guessed that I've found a non-shifter I'd like you to meet."Bill said.I nodded, not knowing what to say, and Bill continued."His name is Reece, he's 35, and lives in Seattle, though that's not where he's originally from.I'd like for the two of you to take a trip up there, the pack will naturally cover your expenses.Meet him, I'll get the information and we'll figure out a reason for you to meet with him.See if you think you can shift him, Nickie.What do you say?"
"I'd be willing to meet him, but I need at least a couple of weeks to get the time off work."
"Not a problem, we're not in a hurry here.I'd just like you to go see him."
"If you’re not in a hurry, I think I can help with the reason for the trip."Devon spoke up.
"Oh?"Bill asked.
"I have an Army buddy who's getting married next month, in Seattle.He invited me to the wedding, but I didn't plan on going simply because I can't afford the trip.If you're looking for a plausible excuse for us to make the trip, it's perfect."
"I should be able to get time off next month," I said.
Bill nodded."That will work.Let me know the date, and I'll get everything set up."
"Is that everything you wanted to see us about?"I asked.
Bill nodded."Yes, that's all I needed to see you for."
"All right, then I have something I need to tell you about."I knew it had to be done and I hadn't told him when he called this morning, simply because meeting in person this evening would let me see his face, and watch his reactions as I told him about the calls.About how they had started out innocent enough, but quickly escalated to the threatening call that woke me that morning.
Bill listened to the whole thing, looking grim."I see."He was quiet for a few seconds."You're sure it wasn't Brandon?"
I shook my head."It wasn't Brandon, it wasn't his voice.He didn't talk like Brandon, the only thing that clued me in that it was about Brandon, was that he said punishment, banished and impostor.Brandon started calling Dev an Impostor after he shifted."
"And have you received any calls since?Threats or even the silent ones?"Bill asked and Devon looked at me, waiting for the answer.
I shook my head again."Nothing.I was getting three or more calls a day from Monday to last night, but I've gotten nothing all day."
"Hmm."Bill seemed to be lost in thought."I'll have someone look into it."He looked back to me."I want you to be careful, if it's the same people who destroyed the motorcycle there's no way to know when, or if, they'll turn to bodily harm to get the results they want."
