Page 46 of Alpha Rising (Secrets of the Northland Shifters)

“And this is what it would look like whole?” Angel pushed the fabric remnant aside and picked up the paper to study the image more closely.

“Yes, and Sarah saw the logo on a water bottle in the kidnappers’ car.”

“No shit?” Angel lowered the paper to finally look at me directly. “What does it mean?”

“Whoever’s behind Lady Luck, they must havesomeconnection to Dad, but it’s a gambling site.” I turned my computer monitor to face him. “Have you ever seen it before?”

“No.You?” Angel set the paper on my desk, then leaned down to study the screen.

I shook my head. “Dad was keeping a lot of secrets from us. This might be another one.”

“You know whomightknow if Dad was connected?” Angel asked. “Uncle Joe.”

I drew in a breath. My last meeting with him hadn’t gone well. I’d overreacted when he got too close to Sarah.

To the best of my knowledge, Sam had smoothed things over with our father’s best friend, but I still hadn’t made my own apology. I didn’t look forward to the call.

Sarah’s voice came through the wall. “What would you’ve had me do?”she demanded to know.

“Her spirits seem to have recovered nicely,” Angel said. “Who’s she yelling at?”

I’d promised to keep Sarah’s secret from the rest of my family, so I said, “No idea,” then changed the subject. “Go to the police with the trespassing evidence. I’ll call Joe.”

Angel gave me a nod, picked up the box, and headed out.

I stared at my phone for a full minute. Then, with another deep intake of breath, I picked up the phone and dialed.

15

SARAH

“I’ll look into alternatives and get back to you,” John Riordan said as our conversation came to an end. I hadn’t realized until then how tightly I’d been clutching the phone. Even as he hung up, my hand refused to loosen around the receiver.

I had been prepared for his concern, but not for his anger. Even though it had been directed at himself, it was still difficult to listen to, and it brought all the terror I’d felt last night rushing back to the surface.

I kept the phone to my ear for several seconds after he hung up, trying to process all he’d said—particularly his most self-punishing words: “I fucked up when I placed you there, but I’ll fix it.”

Eventually, I set the phone on my desk, then massaged the tension out of my hand while rotating my office chair toward the window. Angel was outside, climbing into a Jeep. It seemed the world was coming awake again. Slowly, at least.

There were a few lights on in the staff bunkhouse, but I assumed most of the employees would be sleeping-off some significant hangovers. We purposefully had no guests for the weekend to give the staff a break, and they would be taking full advantage of their time off. A big group of them were going camping over the next few days.

My stomach growled and I got up. As I approached Reese’s office, I heard him say “goodbye” and hang up his phone.

When I passed his doorway, he bolted from his chair, heading straight for me.

“Whoa! Easy,” I said. “I’m just going to the cafeteria to get something to eat.”

“I’ll go with you.” He took my hand.

“You don’t have to.” I was torn between wanting his protection, and feeling guilty for misdirecting his alpha responsibilites. He had four siblings to care for, he didn't need another problem.

“I’m going with you,” he insisted.

I sighed, not wanting to argue. I’d caused enough disruptions to his life. There was no need to make things worse.

The cafeteria was deathly silent despite the half-dozen people whose heads were bowed over their coffees, their forks picking at waffles and scrambled eggs. I was surprised to see so many awake. One of them was Melanie.

Reese squeezed my hand, said “Give me a sec,” then left my side to go talk to his sister.

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