Page 35 of Midnight Whispers
“Leo Krieger threatened to harm you?” Cass had to make sure Danny had the right person.
Danny nodded. “He said the alpha would make life hard for my family.”
Danny already had it hard enough. He was parenting his young siblings and doing a damn fine job of it.
“You should have come to me or Cass. We could have helped you.” Iven met Cass’s gaze. They had an entire conversation without speaking a word. They were going to help Danny get out of trouble instead of arresting him as an accessory to murder and kidnapping.
“Here’s what you’re going to do. You’re going to go into the break room and calm yourself. Then you’re going to write the fucking report. Mark it for the date Mrs. Barr called,” Iven whispered, as if someone could hear them. There were only the three of them, and there weren’t cameras inside the station, except for the holding cells.
Danny sucked in a breath. His eyes widened as he met Iven’s gaze. “Seriously?”
“Yes. But let me make one thing clear. In this station, we aren’t partial to a group of people. We don’t give favors, and we don’t let anyone threaten us without arresting them afterward. And above all, we stick together. Got it?”
“Yes, sir. And I’m sorry I didn’t come to you. If it ever happens again, I’ll know what to do.”
Iven nodded. “Your brother and sister are in school, right?”
Danny nodded.
“They’re safe enough there for now, but you can’t stay alone out where you live. It’s too far from town.” Iven met Cass’s gaze as if searching for a solution to the problem. “Stay at the inn. Zinnie will watch over you and the kids in the evening. During the day, my boys are there for extra protection.”
“Move the kids?” He seemed as if the thought was painful.
“You’re too vulnerable out in the country. Zinnie is right in town. Cass is next door, and I’m just a few miles down the road. And the inn has plenty of room. Plus, Riley makes a pretty good muffin. He’ll fatten you and the kids up. And he already has excellent control of his magic, so he can protect you almost as well as Griffin.” Iven’s pitch was pretty good.
“I did something terrible and you’re offering me muffins?”
Cass chuckled. “When you put it like that, it sounds as though we’re irresponsible.”
“At the very least. We’re definitely obstructing justice.” Iven stood, cursing his knees as he did so. “The alpha had Krieger threaten you. I believe that. So basically, we’re saving you from having to fight a charge you don’t really deserve.”
“So, we’re just cutting out having to go to court.” For the first time, Danny smiled.
“Sure, let’s say that’s true.” Iven pointed to the computer. “I want the report on my desk by the end of the day, Danny.”
Cass stood and then offered Danny a hand. “You’ll be okay, kid.”
Cass followed Iven. “So, the magic lesson went okay, then?”
“Better than okay. Riley’s a fast learner.” Iven turned and smirked. “Why do you ask?”
Cass shrugged, trying to seem nonchalant about the whole thing. Inside, he was dying to know even the smallest nugget of information about Riley. “Just wondered, is all.”
Cass got to work on the next lead.
Chapter Seventeen
Riley started baking as soon as he got to Zinnie’s inn. He, Griffin, and Zinnie had developed a bit of a routine. Riley’s role was that of baker, and he was happy to do it. He loved it, so it wasn’t a hardship.
He had a few more days until college started, after which he’d have to develop a new daily schedule. But for now, this one worked well.
He made cinnamon rolls. He loved kneading the dough by hand. He could forget about everything except the motion his body made. Even the room disappeared as he used his upper body to increase the gluten in the dough.
He was so far in the zone that he didn’t hear anyone enter the room until something touched his shoulder. He jumped a mile high and turned to face the threat.
Zinnie stood there with an envelope in her hand and an apologetic expression. “Sorry, honey. I didn’t mean to startle you. I called your name, but you didn’t answer.”
“I’m into cinnamon rolls.” Riley smiled and wiped his hands on his apron.
