Page 19 of Alpha Rising (Secrets of the Northland Shifters)

“As a housekeeper at the resort,” Reese said, putting it all together.

“It’s a place where I could hide and not have much interaction with the public.”

“So, that’s it. You’re in the witness protection program. That’s what your nightmares are all about.”

“Yes.”

He studied my face for a while before asking, “Is Sarah McAvoy even your real name?”

“Sarahis.”

To his credit, he didn’t push on the rest of it. “And your family? Do they know where you are?”

I shook my head. “It’s just my mom and my sister Maggie, and they don’t know much. I haven’t spoken to either of them in two months. It’s safer for them that way.”

“No dad?”

My heart surged upward, lodging in my throat. “He was in the military. We traveled around a lot when I was growing up, but he died in Iraq. He gave me this right before his last deployment.” I touched the S-shaped pendant that dangled from the thin gold chain around my neck.

“I’m sorry,” he said, and he stroked my hair.

I nodded.

“Tell me about your mom and sister.”

“Well…” Their faces came to mind, but with worried expressions. “My mom is your typical mother, you know?”

“No. I don’t actually.”

I closed my eyes, wishing I hadn’t accidentally stepped on that land mine. Reese’s mother was nowhere near typical.

“Mom notices everything about me,” I said, pressing forward. “She reads my moods like they’re printed on my forehead. She notices if I haven’t moisturized.” I laughed a little at that. Those kinds of things always irritated me before. Now I just missed them.

“Maggie is more like a friend than a sister. She’s much braver than me.”

“I doubt that,” he said.

“No, it’s true. She went into the Army right after high school, but she’s out now, and it’s impossible to be in a bad mood whenever she’s around.

“You know, it was my choice to go into witness protection. Technically, I can leave at any time, but I stay hidden because I’m terrified of leading danger back to my mom and sister.”

“That particular danger will be standing trial soon,” he surmised.

“And I’ll be called back to Chicago to testify against him.”

Reese’s jaw tightened, and I saw what looked like a flicker of pain in his eyes. “So youwillbe leaving.”

“Eventually. To testify. After that… I don’t know what will happen to me. Some people have stayed in hiding for the rest of their lives. DaBruzzi is a dangerous man, with a huge network of associates.”

“He won’t touch you. I’ll make sure of that.”

I placed my hand against his bicep. “That’s why I’m telling you this. If something were to happen, I don’t want you to act on impulse. Think before you get in the way of something that could hurt you or your family.”

“Youare part of this family.”

My head jerked with surprise. “I’ve known you for seven weeks.”

He closed his eyes and shook his head. “Doesn’t matter. If you’re threatened, I’ll take care of it.Christ, I’d like to go to Chicago and kill him right now.”

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