Page 75 of Into the Lion's Den (Secrets of the Northland Shifters)

“I can tell you,” Toby said, joining us, “that no cars have come to pick anyone up from the lodge. I suppose she could have walked to town, but I think it’s unlikely.”

Sam came up on my other side and put his arm around my shoulders. “She’s not like Mom, Reese.”

“It sounds like Angel told you all what happened.” I didn’t need to be any more specific than that. I didn’t believe for a second that Angel would keep the news of my accidental reveal to himself.

“He thought it was important for us to know you’d blown the biggest family secret of all time,” Melanie said, joining our circle.

Twice, I thought, thinking of our mother’s red taillights as she drove away.

Oddly, my siblings weren’t punishing me as much as I was punishing myself.

“Go find her,” Sam said. “The night’s still young.”

31

SARAH

Afist pounded on my bedroom door.

I clicked offDateline, the latest true-crime show I’d become addicted to, and turned toward the sound. I knew who it was. There was only one person who ever pounded on my door. Only one person who couldn’t even butter his toast without strength or passion.

And that was good reason not to answer it.

I wasn’t afraid of Reese. I should have been. But I wasn’t. I’d dealt with plenty of scary shit in my life already.

So, no. It wasn’t fear of the animal that kept me in my chair.

It was fear of what I’d do if I let him get close to me again. He obviously didn’t realize how weak my defenses were when it came to him. Why couldn’t he just go to the party like everyone else?

“Open this goddamn door, Sarah, or I’m going to break it in.”

Oh god. He'd do it too.

That shouldn’t be so hot. I'd clearly come unhinged. But there was no denying I wanted him. Every inch of him. Even knowing what I knew now.

But I didn’t open the door. Instead I retorted, “Don’t you have enough to fix around here?”

My verbal jab was met by silence.

I wished I could see his expression. Had I hit a nerve? Or was he smiling on the other side of the door?

Maybe he'd think I was brave for joking at a time like this. Or…quite possibly deranged.

The silence continued.

Then, from behind me, came the distinct swish of my window sliding open.

I yelped and jumped from my chair just as Reese swung his tall frame through the opening and into my room.

He was dressed in a charcoal gray suit and white shirt. No tie. His clothes were rumpled and his dark hair was mussed, but he otherwise looked as beautiful as always.

“What are you doing?” I pushed the shoulder strap of my dress back on my shoulder. The bodice was a little loose because I hadn’t been able to get the back zipped all the way up on my own.

“You’re right,” he said. “I do have enough shit to fix around here. And then I thought...maybe Sarah forgot to re-lock her window after she ran out on me before.”

I glanced at the window and cursed myself for being such an idiot. Then I squared my shoulders and lifted my chin, refusing to give him another advantage. “I didn’t run out on you. I had work to do.”

“You snuck out the window.” He slid it shut again before facing me.

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