Page 39 of Alpha Rising (Secrets of the Northland Shifters)

“I’m fine,” I said, my voice muffled against Reese’s chest.

“Can I take her home now?” Reese asked.

“Yes. I’ll be in touch if we get more information. Unfortunately, no one noted a license plate, and she said she didn’t recognize either of her assailants.”

Reese’s body went tight, then he said, “Let’s go.”

I shucked off the borrowed jacket, and Reese rolled me to my left so I was tucked into his side.

As we exited the back room, I spotted Toby standing by a stack of beer cases. Reese stopped in front of him.

Toby leaned in. He inhaled through his nose, then his eyes went to Reese and he shook his head.

I looked up at Reese with an unspoken question.

His face appeared chiseled from stone. “All right. Let’s go home.”

One of the Jeeps was parked right outside. Toby got behind the wheel, and Reese opened the back door for me. I hesitated, the memories of another backseat hitting me like a slap.

“I’ll be with you,” he said and, because my dress was so tight, he lifted me onto the seat.

I slid over and Reese got into the backseat beside me, pulling me against his warm body.

“Not the same person?” Reese asked as Toby pulled out of town. “Or too hard to tell?”

“I couldn’t tell," Toby said, sounding nearly as angry as Reese had when he first arrived.

“Couldn’t tell what?” I asked sleepily.

“I brought Toby along to see if any scent had rubbed off on you. We thought maybe this had to do with the person who sabotaged the ropes course.”

“DaBruzzi,” I whispered so only Reese could hear.

His arm tightened, telling me that he’d considered that possibility as well, then he continued his conversation with Toby. “Maybe we should go see MacConall. He doesn’t live far from here.”

“Who?” I murmured against Reese’s chest. The rush of adrenaline was fading fast, leaving exhaustion in its wake.

“A tracker,” Reese said, answering me. “A talented one, and a distant...cousin, I guess. Of sorts.”

“There’s not enough of a scent on her anymore,” Toby said. “All I can smell is that jacket she was wearing.”

My body felt heavy, and my mind was spent.

“Then let’s get her home,” Reese said, stroking my arm.

“Sleep,” I said, voicing my agreement.

Reese’s hand paused and he gave my arm a gentle squeeze. “You got it, kitten. Go to sleep. No one will hurt you now.”

I tried to make myself believe it, though I could already feel the nightmares rolling in.

13

REESE

Iwould never forgive myself.

I’d been sated and happy, sipping on a whiskey and watching for Sarah’s return to the party. Meanwhile, she’d been attacked onmyproperty, shoved into a car, and driven away.

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