Page 8 of Shifter For Hire (For Hire 2)

“I didn’t lie to you.”

“You claimed to be asleep the other night when I texted you. I know for a fact that you weren’t home.”

“And how do you know that?”

“Because…”

Gerard willed her not to reveal that she was out.

“Well?” the man insisted. “Got nothing to say?”

“Because I came by your place to surprise you, and you weren’t there!”

Gerard clenched his teeth. So she had been dressed like that for this guy. Jealousy almost had him breaking the door down to get to this guy and send him on his way. He barely restrained himself. She didn’t belong to him, and if he could resist the pull that seemed to originate in his core, maybe she never would.

“I had to interview a source,” the man said. “It was the only time I could do it. That’s nothing new, Lachelle. So why are you on my back now?”

“You were interviewing a source?”

His voice dropped down low, but Gerard had no trouble hearing him. “Yeah, baby. So stop acting all suspicious. You know I love you, right?”

“I know.”

Gerard cringed in disgust. He leaped up from the balcony straight into the air, brought out his wings, and flew as far as fast as he could. He needed to get as much distance between these two as possible before he did something he would regret.

After flying most of the night, wearing himself out, he returned to his crappy apartment, and landed behind the building in a vacant lot. He took his time strolling toward the building, noting the man leaning against the rickety fire escape stairs with his arms folded over his chest

Two more men lurked in the shadows nearby, along with a woman. Gerard didn’t judge any of them to be a danger to him. He kept his gaze on the man in front. This one was dangerous, and Gerard planned to allow him two minutes to explain himself before he would send him on his way.

“Gerard.” The man smiled as if they were old friends. Oily, is what Gerard would call it. “Good to see you, buddy.”

“I don’t know you.” Gerard started past him. The man had the good sense not to touch him.

“Hold on, friend. I wanted to talk to you about a proposition.”

“Not interested.”

“You’ll want to hear this.”

Gerard didn’t answer. He reached into a bush to pull out a bag he kept stashed there. Keys to his apartment, shoes, and a few other things. He could wear the shoes, but why? The only time he donned them was when it was absolutely necessary or when humans would get the wrong idea otherwise.

“If you take my offer,” the man went on, “you could move out of this dump. You could live in the lap of luxury. I pay very well.”

Gerard tied the laces on the shoes and recalled he had forgotten the socks.

“Oh, what am I thinking? I haven’t introduced myself. I’m Patrick Sevelle.”

He paused as if Gerard should recognize his name.

“I’m only here in town for a short while. Honestly, I don’t like being too close to the king. He visits his in-laws here sometimes, doesn’t he?”

This information drew Gerard’s attention. From what he had seen, most of the dragon shifters lived out of state, on the same property as the king of the dragons. Gerard had heard of Declan being named the new leader and tracked him to this city, where he sometimes visited his mate’s family. After that, Gerard followed one of Declan’s men to his real homestead.

If most dragon shifters lived where Declan lived, why did this guy say he didn’t want to be close to him?

“Ah, I see that interests you.” Patrick moved to slap Gerard on the back and thought better of it at Gerard’s glare. The smile faltered a little. “I want to hire you to do a job for me.”

Gerard straightened. “If you want me to kill the king, you’ve got the wrong guy.”

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