Page 42 of Shifter For Hire (For Hire 2)

“My men have told me about that killing. I wanted to have them bring our guy home, but the authorities are in the way. They aren’t releasing the body. I’m not sure what our next step needs to be, but I promise you. We will get him back and find out who killed him. None of that means you can’t live with us.”

“Not interested.”

Declan looked at her. “Talk to him, Lachelle.”

She shrugged. “I’m not going to push him to do what he really doesn’t want to do. I got him to agree not to kill humans, and that’s enough for me.”

It felt seriously crazy to be talking humans versus shifters. She must be in the Twilight Zone.

“You guys don’t know what’s been going on in my city. It’s gotten crazy. Like you said, someone killed a shifter, and we’re pretty sure we know who.”

Declan demanded details. Between her and Gerard, they filled him and Janessa in.

“Frankly,” she continued. “Gerard and I have a much better chance of stopping this mess. And especially if we work with Patrick Sevelle.”

“You can’t be serious?” Janessa spoke up for the first time during the conversation. “Do you know what he did to us? He’s bad news, and he’ll stoop to any low to get his way. Lachelle, get as far away from that man as possible. I hate that we even agreed to meet in his cousin’s restaurant, but Declan wanted to see Gerard.”

“I know he’s manipulative and slimy. I can see it in his eyes. But he’s got money and connections, both of which we can use. He might be able to bury the shifters being exposed. You have to be for that, Declan.”

“I’m not saying I don’t agree, but there must be a different way. I can’t accept my brother working for him.”

“Well, it’s a good thing Gerard doesn’t answer to you, isn’t it?” Lachelle laid her hand over Gerard’s. Both her sister and Declan frowned.

&nb

sp; “Lachelle,” Janessa pleaded. “You’ve always been stubborn, but this is wrong.”

“It’s not wrong. All I ever wanted was to protect people.”

“And you can do that, just not with Patrick. Please. I bet you can get Gerard to change his mind. Declan has missed being with his family, and he can help him to heal. Trust me. I’ve seen things you won’t believe.”

“I do trust you, sis.” Regret and hurt stirred in Lachelle’s heart, but she tamped it down before Gerard could react.

She didn’t know coming to this dinner that she would elect to stay close to Gerard. Maybe it was the fact that they slept together. She recalled reading something in the past about a woman releasing a chemical when she slept with a man that formed a bond.

Wait, maybe that’s what happens with shifters bonding?

She thought she’d discuss the matter with Gerard later. Whatever the case, she loved her city. The police thing wasn’t off the table yet—especially if Patrick could make the previous drama go away. Not in a million years did she think she would be at odds with Janessa—certainly not over a man—but here she was.

“I’m sorry, Nessa. I’m going to stay with him.”

Janessa gasped. “You love him?”

“N-not exactly.”

“Then it’s about a baby! That’s it, isn’t it? You’ve been talking forever about wanting a baby, and you found a man who can give it to you. It’s convenient too. Gerard obviously will do whatever you want because he thinks you’re his mate.”

Lachelle jumped to her feet, toppling her chair. “No you didn’t just accuse me of using him to have a baby.”

Janessa stood as well and thumped her hands on her hips. “Please, don’t act like you haven’t thought about doing it before. You said as much when you were thinking about going after Declan.”

Both men stared at Lachelle, and then Gerard glared at his brother as if he were guilty of something.

“Don’t bring up the past, Nessa. We’re talking about right here, right now, and the fact that you don’t like it that I’m not falling in line with what your man wants. All this prince this and prince that and leader of his people. You’re playing King and Queen off your own little unofficial country, and we don’t want any parts of it.”

“It’s not like that!”

“Ladies, please.” Declan tried to soothe them.

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