Page 17 of Shifter For Hire (For Hire 2)

Lachelle choked. A bit of macaroni salad went down the wrong way, and she coughed violently. Both Skip and Gerard leaped forward to pound her on the back. She winced in pain and shoved both of them away.

“Jeez, don’t break my back trying to clear my lungs.”

Both men appeared contrite. They sat down, and she took the chance to think while getting a glass of water. Taking her time standing at the sink, she thought about what Skip said.

Dragon shape shifters had healing abilities. After the explosion, Gerard’s back with that gaping hole had healed like nothing happened. There wasn’t even a scar. No, it was too coincidental. Skip was crazy, and that’s all there was to it.

She drew in a sharp breath and blew it out then set the empty glass aside. When she turned around, there was Gerard hovering too close. The intensity in his expression squashed the yelp that rose in her throat.

“I need to talk to you,” he said. “Alone.”

Chapter 7

“What’s going on with you?” Lachelle demanded of Skip.

“What do you mean?”

She turned from the bathroom mirror to look him in the eyes. “Don’t play stupid, Skip. I get it that you’re into this shifter stuff. Fine. But what’s with you pushing to meet Janessa?”

He looked her dead in the eyes, something she had noticed about him. Even when he lied—especially when he lied—he tried to look extra innocent by maintaining eye contact. Too bad for him she was down with all that stuff. Her ex-fiancé had taught her several tricks that she made use of.

“She’s your family. What’s so weird about me wanting to meet my girlfriend’s family?”

“Except you already have met her, something you neglected to mention.”

He grinned. “Are you jealous, baby? You don’t have to be. You know you’re my girl.”

He held his arms out and approached her, but she held up a hand in his face. The man needed to learn to read her moods. She had no desire to be touched, least of all by him.

“Tell me the truth or go home.”

“So you’re blackmailing me?”

“I’m starting to wonder if I can trust you.”

“This is about him, isn’t it?”

“Excuse me?”

He grumbled under his breath. She caught a few choice words aimed at Gerard. “I’m not stupid. You’ve been weird ever since you met that guy. I can see how attracted you are to him.”

“So?”

A vein bulged in his temple. “He’s one of them. I know it, but I can’t prove it yet.”

“Now you’ve gone psycho! He’s a cop, Skip.” She knew she was in denial that there was something about Gerard, something she wasn’t ready to admit. But Skip grated on her nerves.

It wasn’t fair. She would have given him a lot more leeway a few weeks ago, even a few days ago. While common sense and logic told her what the deal was with her attitude, she couldn’t change it. Well, she didn’t want to. Not yet.

“You think they can’t hide among us regular citizens? I grilled him nonstop, but where did that get me? He’s hiding something. And what about how ignorant he seems?”

She sneered. “Now you’re claiming shape shifters are stupid?”

“No, I’m saying he doesn’t know anything about being a cop.”

“Like you do?”

He swore and paced, pushing hands into his hair. Skip wasn’t a bad looking guy. In fact, while he was average height and slim, he had defined muscle, a firm jaw, and vibrant expressive eyes. She came to like his red hair, especially running her fingers through the silky strands. But right then, she found herself comparing him unfavorably with Gerard.

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